I need some help from tax experts on here. 

I made 17k last year and when I filed for my taxes online ( diy way ), it said that I'd only get 600 bucks in returns and that doesn't sound too well. 

I'm 25, single, didn't attend college last year. I paid 1200 in fed taxes, 1200 in SS, and abt 250 in state taxes. 

I don't know if I should go to HR Block as they charge 100 bucks just for filing... and I'm not sure if I'll get a higher return either.... 

Anybody got some tips? 

Its right bro , if you dont show any out going it wil not give you any good refund !
I did make like something  like yours (more than that)  and my return was 97 bucks !!! when i show my outgoing (college etc) than i got some more !
Try both taxlayer and turbo tax ! for more info inbox me!

It is advised to read the 1040 instruction once, it will help for online filing too.

You won't get a good refund thru the accountants. So, try online to minimize your filing fee. Try taxact.com, i am using it from 2008.

 sathi haru, ma f1 nai hoon tax file gareko 3 years bhayisakyo federal.. tara ahile samma state tax file gareko chaina.... duita state ma kaam gareko chu.. euta state ma $50 tirna parne dekhaucha arko state ma chahi $200 firta aaucha bhanera dekhaucha.. euta firta aaune state ko matra file garda farak parcha ki pardaina??

If you know you going to owe , it is better to file, do not regret in future for 50 dollar you are creating new issues in your life. If you can not file back years state file and has to go to local tax filing place,  you may end up paying more than you owed. Penny wise pound foolish story to copy is not a good sign.

Tutepani; I am with it  too  and most tax filing software are not much different than TurboTAX ( it is little user friendly and advertised the most ) and if you do not have any complicated tax filing , go for the cheap one. As other said that is how you save. If you have missed any deductible or not ( you need to know what can be deductible ) every one should read the instruction once in thier life time if planning to stay long and trying to save money on filing tax. And we know free advise does not work and it is not a good thing to do, you may be labeled for an wise A***.

People think Turbo is the best of the best. This year most tax software provided free federal e-file and charge for state only. You know how much I paid for state tax filing just $8. And never paid more than 17.99 any year includig state tax.

Here's the comparison of tax softwares out there:

http://www.tax-compare.com/

Love-of-my-life does our taxes using Turbotax.  From what I hear, it's pretty good and easy.  Doing taxes takes at least couple of hours and usually there are glitches, questions and dilemmas; so don't leave it for last minute.

@ Mr. D :  You should file your state taxes too, as Syanjaali said. 

Appreciate your suggestions guys. I will file the state tax either..  
hey syanjali bro, i was using turbo tax for the federal filing, which said 27.99 per state tax filing... could you please tell me what did you use for the state filing.
Thanks

Poeple are attracted by advetisement and very few people like to browse. As we said there are many tax filing software and you need to match your wallet and the service you are using for. Most Nepali of us may not have complicated tax filing; Pretty standards ( some stocks bought and sell , home purchase, 401 k plan and extra saving , some may work from home  etc ) are covered by every tax software but Turbo is user friendly but just for 2-3 w-2 forms and tuion and state I would not pay over $17 dollars. What ever the tax software you have used for Federal same software has to be used for your state. Or If you want to do the back filing you should know which tax software let you do.
Most tax software are free Efiling for federal and charge for State only.