Tim H.

I penned this letter:
Ms. Nicki Cole, VP of Technology, Small Business and Financial Services
1 H and R Block Way
Kansas City, MO *******

Ms. Cole,

I wish to alert you to software 'glitches' in the DIY 2023 Federal return software.

What seemed to be a quick and easy tax reporting this year turned into yet another software aggravation afternoon that has turned into two afternoons lost simply because the downloaded to my pc version of U.S. Federal tax package is unable to identify and insert "Distributions Used to Pay Insurance Premiums for Public Safety Officers" numbers on line 5(b) of form 1040. I did see when the software 'asked me' relevant questions but then the matter 'disappeared' along with the $2066 reduction in adjusted gross income.

Recording the $2066 onto the form 1040 has not happened despite calls to and the apparent efforts of three different 'customer service' representatives over two days. The current status of 'case ******* is 'waiting'. Ms. Maria indicated her entire 'team' was unable to direct me to the portion of the program associated with that line 5(b) entry on form 1040, that "Someone will call back within 5 days".

During the many times to and fro the software, I noticed on the page "Additional Information for Early Distributions", a box was checked for
"Excess Accumulations (Not enough withdrawn) from a retirement plan, … If you have a 1099R in your return, you can't uncheck this box..."
Yes, I could not 'uncheck the box'. Despite assurances, the software did not tell itself to 'uncheck the box'. I have a 1099R report form along with charitable giving checks as documentation. The investment firm computed the required minimum distribution as $624 more than the money I gave away. The distribution is indicated on the 1099R.
HOW can I have "excess accumulations"? Why did I need waste two afternoons on this?

I encourage you to have some semi-literate types test run the FY 2024 software to determine questions 'average Joe & Juliette' have that, if reworded, would reduce angst and irritation for both your employees and those who pay you for doing so.