Tax preparation service · San Mateo, CA · reviewed since 2016
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%47+25.6Reliability 24%21+5.1Value 14%87+12.3Replies to reviews 7%71+5Craft & service penalty99−0.1Momentum penalty72−2.8Experts Score= 45Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.45SCORE
CGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#66 of 66 retirement planningiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 0%
4.6★★★★★80 Google reviews · 15 photos
85%five-star reviews
4.20★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
20%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Customers frequently praise the location for its convenient proximity, noting that advisors are often professional, knowledgeable, and efficient in explaining complex tax situations. However, recurring complaints highlight issues with pricing, including unexpected cost increases and fees significantly higher than standard locations. Additional criticisms involve advisors being late for appointments, rushing through consultations, and refusing to process specific filing statuses or apply discounts.
Google rating: 4.6 out of 5 from 80 reviews (85% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 80 Google reviews (72 with written comments).
Owner responses: the business replied to 14% of reviews.
Most recent review: April 14, 2026.
Service: Retirement Planner serving San Mateo, California.
Data from Google, last updated October 29, 2026.
Score profile vs other retirement planning
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: craft & service and value; weakest: reliability.
Block AdvisorsRetirement Planning median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Block Advisors: 47/100 on this factor. Category median: 97.C
47
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Block Advisors: 21/100 on this factor. Category median: 98.D
21
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Block Advisors: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
99
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Block Advisors: 87/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
87
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Block Advisors: 72/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.B
72
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Block Advisors: 71/100 on this factor. Category median: 51.B
71
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
80 Google reviews we collected
4.6of 5
5 stars6885%
4 stars34%
3 stars11%
2 stars23%
1 star68%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 72 written reviews
91%praise
Praise6291%
Complaints69%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
6topics
Staff & attitude3146%
Quality & results1522%
Speed & response812%
Communication57%
Price & value57%
Honesty & trust46%
What customers talk about
We read 72 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Carol Deng was very helpful, knowledgeable and efficient!”
“Working with Barbara Liautaud was a great experience.”
“Terrible service from tax advisor Irina.”
“Professional, personable, accurate, timely, and friendly.”
“She is very thorough and does an excellent job of explaining our tax situation.”
“Yup, worth it.”
“It's a very pricey service!”
“Carol is the way to go we started a new biz and this was our first year taxes and to be honest I was lost she too the time to walk me through it all”
People customers mention
Barbara5 reviews
Deng3 reviews
Louise3 reviews
Chen3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
JJustin1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★
Made an appointment because I had a unique tax situation this year I needed some advice on. checked in, receptionist goes to tell my tax advisor Joanne I’ve arrived and while I’m waiting I hear an exchange that she doesn’t have time to take on any work and doesn’t want to take any new clients. Spent all of 5 minutes…
JJohnLocal Guide · 19 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★
I really don’t understand why things have to be so rushed here. How is 30 minutes enough to accomplish anything? There was no effort to make sure I was understanding of where the situation currently stands and what the trajectory is, even when I was told that my advisor had another appointment. Please go somewhere…
YYvette3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
Working with Barbara Liautaud was a great experience. She is professional, friendly and efficient.
JJosephLocal Guide · 66 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 years ago★★★★★
Carol is the way to go we started a new biz and this was our first year taxes and to be honest I was lost she too the time to walk me through it all
JJoyLocal Guide · 24 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 years ago★★★★★
I am always satisfied and comfortable filing my tax with H&R block. I am so glad I found one that's 9 minutes away from my apartment. Very convenient. My tax preparer Louise she's so nice, helpful and welcoming!
DDarryl10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 years ago★★★★★
Professional, personable, accurate, timely, and friendly. Yes I will continue to have HR Block complete my taxes in the future
Dear Doris, thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we appreciate your business. Thank you for your valuable feedback, and we hope to see you again soon!
J
Justin Slocum1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Justin has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Made an appointment because I had a unique tax situation this year I needed some advice on. checked in, receptionist goes to tell my tax advisor Joanne I’ve arrived and while I’m waiting I hear an exchange that she doesn’t have time to take on any work and doesn’t want to take any new clients. Spent all of 5 minutes there for her to have me come back and say it would be easier for me to just do my own taxes.
I never leave reviews but this was wild how poor this visit was.
Response from the owner · a year ago
Hi Justin, thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're disappointed to hear that your office visit did not meet your expectations. Providing a positive and seamless experience for our clients is important to us, and we apologize for falling short in this instance. We're committed to making things right, and our support team is ready to assist you. Please call us at 1-800-472-5625 so we can address your concerns and ensure your next visit is a more positive one.
J
John RLocal Guide · 19 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews John has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I really don’t understand why things have to be so rushed here. How is 30 minutes enough to accomplish anything? There was no effort to make sure I was understanding of where the situation currently stands and what the trajectory is, even when I was told that my advisor had another appointment. Please go somewhere else otherwise you will not feel taken care of.
And before I receive the cookie cutter customer service reply to this review, I was already told that I’d be receiving a call to discuss this with a manager that wasn’t in that day.
Response from the owner · a year ago
John, Thank you for taking time to give us feedback! We apologize that your experience did not meet your expectations. At H&R Block, we strive to provide 5-Star customer satisfaction each and every time. We’d like the opportunity to work with you to address your concerns. Please contact our support team at 1-800- 472-5625 at your earliest convenience.
Y
Yvette Gonzalez3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Yvette has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I am always satisfied and comfortable filing my tax with H&R block. I am so glad I found one that's 9 minutes away from my apartment. Very convenient. My tax preparer Louise she's so nice, helpful and welcoming!
D
Darryl Hall10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Darryl has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
