turbotax has me getting a 1790 refund, but the h and r block estimator?

I wouldn't use block for anything for many reasons. In this case, turbotax may the one that is further off. There is a bug in the Intuit software this year so I stopped recommending turbotax until I have testimonys that the bug has been killed.

Here's how to do it all for no charges:

Just do FreetaxUSA, Average1040, or Taxact on line. eFile on the Federal only and the free Federal eFile. Then go to your State website. You can find it in any search engine. You type in your State along with "department of taxation". E.g, I typed in Iowa Department of Taxation on altavista and "Iowa Department of Revenue" came up. That's the government body that collects income tax {and I believe all taxes} for the State of Iowa. I say all of that because several States do not charge on their website to do income taxes. So you may be able to iFile {eFile} the State return for free. If the IRS accepts your return, you should get your State back in 5 business days and your Federal in 10-15 business days depending upon how late in the season. This also depends upon the software not messing up. You have to keep checking to make sure it went through. I've bought very expensive software before (Drake) and it didn't go through. I got all kinds of lies and excuses for why it didn't go through, depending upon which rep answered the phone.

That is very unusual! Something is not calculating right (obviously). I would double check the credits that each program is taking. I would also check on the IRS's website. I believe there is a way to file on the IRS's website. You could use that to have a third source to try to verify which number is right. Personally, I use turbotax. Another reason for the H & R Block to be so far off may be because it was just an estimate. I'm assuming you were actually completing the return on Turbotax. Good luck!

There should be no difference. It sounds like a mistake was made. I wonder who made it?

Doesn't make sense... Double check your input...