TurboTax Experts
- Service Model: In-person tax preparation at TurboTax stores (select markets) and Expert offices (nationwide, appointment-only); virtual meetings also available from local experts; walk-in service at stores, appointment-based at Expert offices
- Pricing: $150 applies for expert-prepared returns through 2/28/26 (new Full Service customers only, including all tax forms); standard Expert Full Service pricing follows the promotion; the same pricing applies whether meeting in-person or virtually; state returns are additional.
- Expert Matching: Tax professionals matched based on your tax situation (W-2s, self-employment, investments, rental property, etc.); local experts familiar with state and regional tax considerations; average 13 years of experience.
- What’s Included: Complete tax preparation from expert, in-person or virtual meetings, year-round access to your expert at no extra cost, 100% accuracy guarantee, maximum refund guarantee, audit support, ability to track preparation progress online
For decades, TurboTax has been synonymous with self-service digital tax filing. However, the company is making a significant shift—bringing professional tax preparation to physical locations across America via TurboTax stores and Expert offices.
TurboTax is making its first major push into brick-and-mortar tax services, directly competing with H&R Block’s nationwide network of 10,000+ offices. What’s the difference? TurboTax is developing a hybrid model that combines the convenience of local offices with the technology and guarantees that have helped them establish a strong online reputation.
What Makes TurboTax Experts Different
TurboTax’s entry into physical tax preparation brings something new to the market – the ability to work with local tax experts either in person or virtually, backed by TurboTax’s technology platform and comprehensive guarantees that traditional tax offices don’t typically offer.
TurboTax Stores vs. Expert Offices
TurboTax Stores represent the company’s fresh, modern approach to in-person tax preparation. These locations, which will open in select markets starting in 2026, cater to both scheduled appointments and walk-in traffic. The stores provide a community-focused environment where you can drop in to ask quick tax questions, work on your return with expert guidance nearby, or hand everything off to an expert completely.
The stores aim to look less like traditional tax offices and more like accessible neighbourhood resources. You have the option to initiate your return independently using TurboTax software, seek assistance from an expert if you encounter difficulties, or schedule an appointment for comprehensive preparation services. This flexibility addresses one of the biggest complaints about traditional tax offices – rigid appointment-only policies.
TurboTax Expert Offices are already available nationwide and operate on an appointment-only basis. These offices provide professional tax preparation in more traditional office settings. While they lack the walk-in convenience of stores, Expert offices give you access to local tax professionals who understand regional considerations like state-specific deductions, local tax credits, and municipal tax requirements.
Both locations offer the option to meet in person or connect virtually with the same local expert, providing flexibility based on your schedule and preference.
How Local Tax Experts Work
The process is straightforward regardless of which location type you choose:
- Step 1: Schedule Your Appointment or Walk In
For Expert offices nationwide, you schedule an appointment online or by phone. For TurboTax stores in select markets, you can either book ahead or walk in during business hours. - Step 2: Choose Your Meeting Format
Even after booking an in-person appointment, you can switch to a virtual meeting if that becomes more convenient. Your local expert handles both formats seamlessly. - Step 3: Bring Documents or Upload in Advance
You can show up with your tax documents in hand or securely upload them through TurboTax’s platform before your appointment. If you arrive without documents, experts can still discuss your tax situation and provide guidance. - Step 4: Expert Prepares Your Return
Your assigned expert handles the complete preparation. You can track progress online as they work through your documents, review forms, and identify deductions. - Step 5: Review and File
The expert reviews your completed return with you, explaining your tax situation and answering questions before filing. They sign as the preparer, taking professional responsibility for accuracy. - Step 6: Year-Round Access
After filing, your expert remains available throughout the year at no additional cost. Need help with a mid-year tax question? Want guidance on quarterly estimates? Wondering how a life change affects your taxes? Your expert is accessible by phone, chat, or video.
Expert Matching and Availability
TurboTax matches customers with experts based on tax situation complexity and specialisation. If you have self-employment income, you’re matched with someone experienced in Schedule C business reporting. Cryptocurrency investors receive assistance from experts familiar with digital asset taxation. Rental property owners work with experts who understand depreciation and passive activity rules.
Experts at both stores and offices average 13 years of tax preparation experience and may hold credentials like CPA, EA (Enrolled Agent), or tax attorney licences, though these aren’t required for all positions. What matters is that TurboTax’s matching system considers your specific needs rather than assigning you to whoever’s available.
Availability varies by location and season. During peak tax season (January through mid-April), stores and Expert offices operate with extended hours, including evenings and weekends. Expert offices are available year-round during regular business hours, with expanded availability near extension deadlines in September and October.
Advantages
- Physical Locations Provide In-Person Comfort
For taxpayers who prefer face-to-face meetings, TurboTax stores and Expert offices deliver that traditional experience. You can sit down with someone, ask questions in real time, and get immediate answers without navigating software or video calls. - Flexibility Between In-Person and Virtual
Unlike traditional tax offices that lock you into one format, TurboTax local experts handle both in-person and virtual meetings. Start with a face-to-face appointment, then switch to virtual for follow-ups if that’s more convenient. - Walk-In Availability at Stores
TurboTax stores allow walk-in traffic, addressing a major frustration with traditional appointment-only tax offices. Have a quick question? Do you require assistance with a specific section of your tax return? You can stop by without scheduling weeks in advance. - Year-Round Expert Access Included
Traditional tax preparers often charge separately for consultations outside filing season. TurboTax includes unlimited year-round access to your expert at no additional cost, providing value that extends beyond April 15th. - Technology-Backed Service with Strong Guarantees
You get TurboTax’s comprehensive guarantee package: 100% accuracy guarantee (TurboTax pays IRS penalties from errors), maximum refund guarantee (money back if you get a larger refund elsewhere), and lifetime audit support. Traditional tax offices rarely offer this level of protection.
Disadvantages
- Limited Store Locations Currently
TurboTax stores are only opening in select markets for 2026. Most of the country won’t have access to the walk-in store experience and will need to rely on appointment-only Expert offices or virtual meetings. - Appointment Availability Can Be Tight
During peak tax season, getting an appointment at your preferred time – especially for in-person meetings – requires booking well in advance. Last-minute filers may struggle to find availability. - Same Expert Not Guaranteed Long-Term
While you can work with the same expert year after year if they remain with TurboTax and are available, there’s no guarantee of continuity. Some taxpayers value multi-year relationships with the same preparer. - Higher Cost Than DIY Options
At $150 (promotional offer through 2/28/2026) to several hundred dollars depending on complexity, expert-prepared returns cost significantly more than filing yourself with TurboTax’s DIY products. For simple W-2 returns, the convenience premium may not justify the expense. - Some Complex Tax Situations Not Supported
TurboTax local experts don’t handle C-Corps (Form 1120), trusts and estates (Form 1041), or tax-exempt entities. These situations require specialized preparers.
Final Word
TurboTax’s move into physical locations is a big change in strategy that directly competes with H&R Block’s supremacy in in-person tax preparation. The hybrid strategy, which combines the ease of in-person service with TurboTax’s technological platform and guarantees, is a wonderful alternative to conventional tax offices.
The program is great for taxpayers who prefer in-person meetings but want to switch to virtual sessions when it’s convenient. Conventional tax offices are annoying because you must make an appointment. With TurboTax, you can walk in without an appointment, but this perk is only available in certain regions for now.
The $150 discount price is valid until February 28, 2026. This makes professional preparation affordable and comparable with local tax preparers that charge $200 to $500 for identical services. The fee includes year-round access to experts, which is something that typical offices charge extra for. This feature makes the offer quite appealing.
But since the distribution is restricted, most taxpayers will still have to use TurboTax Expert offices (by appointment only) or virtual sessions instead of being able to stroll into shops. The service will be easier to get to as the shop network grows over the next several years.
TurboTax’s guarantees, which last for the 7-year life of your return, provide security that most tax offices don’t offer. If TurboTax makes a mistake that gets you in trouble with the IRS, they pay the fine and interest. If you find out that you could have earned a bigger return with another way, TurboTax will give you back the money you spent.
