How to use H&R Block to file your taxes for free in 2018

H&R Block is one of the most popular services for filing your taxes.Lazarenko Svetlana/Shutterstock

• H&R Block offers a free online tax filing service for eligible taxpayers.
• Tax season officially begins January 29, with a final deadline of April 17 this year.
• The IRS recommends e-filing your taxes and requesting your refund via direct deposit.
• Business Insider decided to try the free version of H&R Block’s service.

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Monday marks the start of tax season.

After that, Americans will have until April 17 to file their 2017 taxes. While the new GOP tax plan signed by President Trump in December is the law of the land, the changes won’t affect your tax return this year. The new tax brackets will only affect income earned starting January 1, 2018.

So what’s the surest way of avoiding any trouble with your taxes this year? Filing as early as possible, according to Business Insider’s Lauren Lyons Cole. It’s the best way to protect against tax scams — especially potential identity theft.

If your income was less than $66,000 in 2017, many online tax services offer the option to file for your federal taxes — and sometimes state taxes — for free. You can check your options using theIRS Free File Lookup tool.

The IRS also says the fastest way to get your tax refund is the method already used by most taxpayers: filing electronically and selecting direct deposit as the method for receiving your refund. Your refund should hit your bank account within three weeks of filing online. Often, you’ll get your money even faster.

H&R Block is one such tax company offering free services to eligible taxpayers. Its website estimates its clients “prepared more than 7.4 million tax returns” using its digital services in 2016.

I decided to check it out to see how it works and report.

Keep in mind, I didn’t actually file my taxes. I just went through the motions, to get a better feel for H&R Block.

Here’s how it works: