H&R Block is one of Australia's largest tax-preparation franchises, offering everything from a free DIY online return to a fully assisted return prepared by a tax consultant. myTax is the ATO's own free lodgement portal — no consultant, no franchise fee, just you and your pre-filled data.
For a simple salaried return, free myTax and H&R Block's free DIY online tier will both get the job done. H&R Block's paid, assisted tiers earn their fee once your return needs a second pair of eyes — multiple income sources, a rental property, or business income.
Here's a plain-English side-by-side for FY2025–26, including where AusTax AI's AI-assisted approach fits.
Which is cheaper, H&R Block or myTax?
myTax is always free, and H&R Block's DIY online tier starts from $0 too — the cost only kicks in once you want a person involved. As at July 2026, H&R Block's assisted tiers are priced by complexity: Streamline $109 (basic salary and deductions up to $300), Standard $174 (multiple income sources, uncapped deductions), Rental $334 (one investment property), and Business $384 (sole trader or partnership income). a registered tax agent (see the directory)
What is myTax?
myTax is the Australian Taxation Office's free tax-return tool, accessed by logging in to myGov. By late July the ATO pre-fills your salary, bank interest, dividends, and private health details; you add your deductions and submit. It's free, it's official, and the self-lodge deadline is 31 October 2026. See our full walkthrough: How to Lodge via myTax.
What is H&R Block Australia?
H&R Block is a long-running tax-preparation franchise with a network of walk-in offices across Australia, alongside online and phone/video options. It offers two broad paths (as at July 2026, per H&R Block's published fee schedule):
- DIY Online — from $0. You lodge yourself through H&R Block's software, which auto-fills income data and shows occupation-specific deduction tips as you go.
- Assisted (online or in-office) — priced by complexity: Streamline $109 (basic income and deductions, capped at $300 in deductions; $89 for under-21s and full-time students under 25), Standard $174 (multiple incomes, uncapped deductions), Rental $334 (one investment property), and Business $384 (sole trader/partnership; a Business Lite option is available from $284 for sole traders under $10k revenue who aren't GST-registered). Add-ons apply for extra income sources, capital gains, extra rental properties, and depreciation schedules.
H&R Block's consultants and franchisees operate under the same Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (TASA) framework as any other registered tax agent charging for return preparation in Australia.
H&R Block vs myTax vs AusTax AI — full comparison
| Dimension | myTax (ATO, free) | H&R Block (DIY / Assisted) | AusTax AI |
|---|
| Who lodges | You | You (DIY) or a tax consultant (Assisted) | You (self-lodge) or partner Registered Tax Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
| How deductions are found | ❌ You enter everything yourself | ⚠️ DIY: occupation-based prompts · Assisted: consultant asks questions | ✅ AI reads your receipts and applies occupation-specific ATO rules |
| Refund timing | ATO-controlled, usually 1–2 weeks | Same ATO processing time once lodged | Same ATO processing time; agent review typically 24–72 hours before lodgement |
| Bilingual interface (Chinese) | ❌ English only | ⚠️ English-language platform; language support varies by office/consultant | ✅ Full English + Simplified Chinese web and app interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official ATO tool | ✅ Yes | ❌ Private franchise | ❌ Platform + TPB agent partners |
| Best for | Simple salaried returns | Anyone wanting a consultant to check or prepare a specific complexity tier | Employees and investors who want AI-found deductions first, in English or Chinese |
*Prices as at July 2026 — always confirm current tiers directly with H&R Block before booking.*
H&R Block DIY vs Assisted — what's the difference?
*Priya, a Brisbane nurse with a single employer and no investments, used H&R Block's free DIY online tier — her income auto-filled, and she added her uniform and CPD deductions herself, done in under an hour. Her colleague Tom, who sold shares and settled on his first rental property in FY2025–26, booked the $334 Rental tier so a consultant could handle the depreciation schedule and the CGT event correctly.*
The DIY tier suits anyone comfortable entering their own deductions from a prompt list. The Assisted tiers exist for the parts of a return where getting a schedule wrong is expensive — rental property, capital gains, and business income.
AusTax AI tip: Whichever platform you choose, keep every receipt for five years from the date you lodge — the ATO can request evidence for a deduction long after your refund has landed.
When is H&R Block worth the fee?
A paid, assisted return (H&R Block or otherwise) tends to earn its fee when:
- You sold shares, crypto, or property — capital gains rules and cost-base tracking are easy to get wrong in a DIY tool.
- You have rental property income — interest apportionment and depreciation schedules are the ATO's most-audited area.
- You have business or ABN income — PSI rules and expense apportionment need a Business schedule.
- You want a consultant's sign-off — useful if you'd rather a professional stand behind the numbers if the ATO asks questions later.
For everyone else — a single PAYG job with standard deductions — free myTax or H&R Block's free DIY tier are both reasonable defaults.
Where AusTax AI fits
AusTax AI sits between "free DIY" and "paid consultant":
Need Help With Your Tax Return?
Complex situation? a registered tax agent (see the directory) Our partner agents review every detail for accuracy and compliance.
*Disclaimer: This is general information only and does not constitute personal tax advice. Consult a registered tax agent for advice tailored to your specific situation. Always verify against the latest ATO guidelines at ato.gov.au.*
The bottom line
- myTax = free, official, you do it. Best default for simple salaried returns.
- H&R Block = free DIY tier for simple returns, or a consultant-assisted tier ($109–$384+) once your situation gets more complex.
- Need a professional? Browse every TPB-registered tax agent near you in the AusTax directory, or post a request and matching practices will contact you — free.
Start free — analyse your receipts and estimate your FY2025–26 refund — and only step up to a paid tier if your situation calls for it.
Related comparisons: Etax vs myTax Australia · Etax vs H&R Block Australia · Do I Need a Tax Agent in Australia?