Thomas Lawrence did a phenomenal job preparing our tax return. He was patient, explained his…read morethought process, and attempted at every turn to get us the money we had coming back to us. We will be returning in the years to follow and will recommend him to all our friends and family. Thank you Thomas for your integrity and tenacity.

From the owner: At H&R Block, we provide tax services for individuals, families, and small businesses in Rochester,…read moreMinnesota, as part of a nationwide network of local tax offices. Our local tax professionals can help you prepare and file tax returns, answer tax questions, and find you every credit and deduction. We know taxes can be challenging on top of your regular schedule so support is available by walking in, making an appointment or dropping off your documents at our office. If you want to work with your tax pro from home - just call and ask to use our Digital Drop-Off service. You'll get an email from a tax pro with a link to upload your documents. Visit your local 41st St NW office to connect with a tax professional.

I've been a customer of theirs almost since I moved here in 2000. Mike M. was my accountant there…read more He did a great job in helping me with tax stuff so I can worry about everything else in my life. This changed over the past several years, though. It was harder to go and ask someone a question and get guidance on what I needed to do for my specific situation at any given time. Fast forward to 2024. I get a notice from the IRS that I owed some money, not insane huge but a good chunk. I went to SS thinking they would stand behind their work and get this corrected. After all, their fees are pretty expensive. They told me to write a letter saying "this was wrong". *I* had to write it and mail it because gawd forbid *they* could print something out and send it in the mail. Anyway, I did. About a year went by. I accrued penalties and interest and finally got a threat that included seizing property. (!) I went back and my account said he spent a half hour on hold waiting then gave up and said and that I should pay it. All that time, they couldn't be bothered to actually talk to someone or send a letter on my behalf. It became clear *I* had to do all the work. I contacted the IRS, got it squared away, and filed taxes with TurboTax this year. Both the IRS and TurboTax were *way* more responsive and helpful than my own accountant was. I recently even got a few dollars back unsolicited. The worst part about this was SS's fees. They've always been expensive and have been jacking up their fees several hundred dollars in the past few years. The back taxes I owed, the penalties, TurboTax's prep fees, and this years taxes *COMBINED* were **LESS** than just SS's prep fees for the tax year they messed up and didn't rectify. I SPENT GOOD MONEY AND WASTED A YEAR TO WATCH THEM FAIL, NOT MAKE UP FOR THEIR MISTAKE, AND DID A BETTER JOB THAN THEY DID MYSELF. And I'm a tax idiot. This is why I held on for so long. Now I'm moving on. If you read this far, I implore you to find *anybody* else to handle your taxes. The fees they charge compared to the service you get is insane. The only reason they get one star at all is because this website requires that as a minimum rating. IMHO, it's too generous.

From the owner: Smith Schafer is one of the only mid-size accounting firms in the area with the expertise and…read moreresources of a large firm, but with the personal contact and close relationships you would expect from a smaller firm. With approximately 100 employees, we are large enough to have resources to keep up with constantly changing rules and regulations. We are one of the longest-standing accounting firms in the Rochester area - since 1971. We are active members in the Rochester community. Smith Schafer has a fundamental dedication to giving back and supporting local causes. Our culture encourages staff to participate in local fundraising activities, serve on not-for-profit boards and be ACTIVE in the community.

To the past reviewer CW - In 2016 there had been brand new software - e-filing and IRS were a…read morecomplete headache. I bet you received your refund and within a much quicker time period than you expected, as we all were wondering how long we may have to wait for our refund. I have had my taxes done with Darlene Haack for over 40 years. Greg Nelson takes care of my retirement accounts (running with a software he wrote and made himself.) Darlene Haack continues to take care of my personal and small business income taxes. Bill Groby has since passed on, bless his soul. I know there are more than 1500 of us that have been with Darlene Haack for many, many years - as we all were nervous switching from Haack Tax to Strategic. It was a smooth process and now have our income taxes and all retirement and financial planning completed in one place, by amazing, dedicated, and efficient people.

I want to caution individuals considering having your taxes done at Strategic Tax & Retirement…read more Bill Groby prepared our 2015 taxes in April 2016. We had a refund on the federal income tax. He emailed me an e-file form to sign and I specifically stressed the importance of receiving a check versus a direct deposit into an account over a couple of telephone calls as well as the utmost necessity of this. Bill reassured me he was unchecking a box on his end so the direct deposit would not happen and a check would be sent. A direct deposit was done anyway. When I called to question him, Bill's response was it was an error. This firm's service is very untrustworthy and unethical dealing with your finances.

Unprofessional. Non supportive. The client does not come first. They come first. I will never…read morerecommend. When you are first a client they are very supportive. But in time, they let you down.

From the owner: At Haworth & Company, we deliver big relief for small businesses by combining decades of…read morespecialized accounting expertise with a personal, relationship‑driven approach. For more than 35 years, our team has focused exclusively on the needs of small business owners—offering integrated accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, consulting, and tax services designed to simplify operations and support long‑term growth. What sets us apart is our proven, fixed‑fee programs that remove guesswork and eliminate surprise costs. Clients get clear, consistent service packages, proactive financial insights, and a real human being that picks up the phone across multiple Minnesota locations. We pride ourselves on close, personal attention backed by years of hands‑on experience and continuing education. As trusted advisors, we help small business owners gain confidence, clarity, and more time to focus on what they love—while we handle the details.

I had been going to H&R Block for several years to get my taxes done, and every year was charged…read morebetween $300-$400 for their services. When I shared that news with some co-workers of mine, they were horrified that I had paid that much, and said that I should never pay more than about $100 to have my taxes done by anyone. I switched to a different accountant this year and only paid $70 including tax for her services. I misplaced some of the forms from my return last year and recently had to go back in to have them reprinted. I had to pay $30 to have my return reprinted. Also last year when I had them done there, the person doing them seemed to have no clue what she was doing, to the point where I had to help walk her through some of the steps on the computer. I had to go back later to get the return amended because she forgot something, and she wasn't there that day so somebody else had to help us with it. That person seemed extremely annoyed and it took her about 45 minutes to get it done. I find it funny because they have signs up all over their business saying "We will get you every penny you deserve!" But when you actually hold them to that, they get annoyed that you want them to actually go through effort to get you an extra $32 (the amount in my case). After being taken advantage of them for years, I definitely won't be back. They just seem extremely money hungry.

From the owner: At H&R Block, we provide tax services for individuals, families, and small businesses in Rochester,…read moreMinnesota, as part of a nationwide network of local tax offices. Our local tax professionals can help you prepare and file tax returns, answer tax questions, and find you every credit and deduction. We know taxes can be challenging on top of your regular schedule so support is available by walking in, making an appointment or dropping off your documents at our office. If you want to work with your tax pro from home - just call and ask to use our Digital Drop-Off service. You'll get an email from a tax pro with a link to upload your documents. Visit your local Salem Rd SW office to connect with a tax professional.