So.  Last week I set aside a morning to do my taxes.  I have used H&R Block’s online products for several years now and have not had any problems.  I noticed when I logged in that the interface had been changed and I now was being asked to select from various products which carry a fee or the free online option.  I choose the free online option as my return for this year is very simple and will require no more than a 1040 and some state returns.

First problem:  None of my information from the prior years imported.  Okay.  I’m a fast typist and I can re-key it.

Second problem:  I try to file the federal return and there is an option page where you select how you will make your payment to the IRS.  If you want to pay online there is a link to a third-party pay site called ‘PAY1040’, except the link doesn’t work.  Okay.  I manually open the site in another window.

Third problem:  I make my payment and receive a confirmation code.  The H&R Block software REQUIRES this confirmation code in order to proceed with the actual filing of the return, but when I key it into the online system, I get an error message that the code is not valid and it stops me from filing.

Fuck.  Okay, well, I need to contact H&R Block’s support department and get this fixed.  Off I go to open a chat window and await one of their support people.  This is what happened next, note that there are no time stamps but trust me when I tell you I had to hold for almost an hour for this bullshit: (more…)