H&R Block Assists Those Affected by September Terrorist Attacks with Online Tax And Financial Information
H&R Block professionals worked diligently to provide this one-stop reference source with answers to the many tax and financial questions related to the events of Sept. 11, including deductions, exclusions and extensions. For example, did you know:
-- You may not be penalized if you've missed a tax filing deadline due to
the terrorist attacks?
-- You may qualify for lower interest rates if you were affected by the
terrorist attacks or are a Reservist who is called to active duty?
-- You can request a "quick" refund based on disaster loss rather than
waiting until you file your 2001 return?
-- Donating the "cash back" credit on your credit card is deductible?
Individuals and businesses: Filing extensions, available disaster relief, deduction of disaster losses, how to reconstruct lost records, information for employers and other issues.
Armed Forces personnel: Taxation of military pay, mortgage relief and information for reservists called to active duty.
Charitable contributions: Ways you can help, what's deductible and record-keeping and reporting requirements.
"The tragedies of September 11 touched the lives of all Americans. It is our hope that the United We Stand Resource Center will ease some of the burdens for those who are struggling with personal challenges that go far beyond the financial issues they face in this unprecedented time," stated Mark A. Ernst, president and chief executive officer of H&R Block.
H&R Block will also continue its popular free online chat service every week during tax season. The one-hour online chats occur Tuesdays at 7 p.m. (CT), beginning Dec. 4, 2001. During the one-hour sessions, taxpayers can access the online chats through a link at the H&R Block Web site ( www.hrblock.com ) and get answers to common tax questions from H&R Block tax professionals. On April 15, the online chat expands to 12 hours, beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m. (CT). The complete online chat schedule can be found on the H&R Block Web site.
For those with more detailed questions, the expanded, real-time "Ask A Tax Advisor" service will be available beginning January 2002. H&R Block's nationwide network of tax professionals will offer personalized tax assistance via the company's "Ask A Tax Advisor" service through 1-800-hrblock, - as well as through the company's Web site ( www.hrblock.com ) and its TaxCut(R) software.
Customers using "Ask A Tax Advisor" are routed to available tax professionals near their homes or offices who have expertise in their particular tax situation. "Ask A Tax Advisor" is available for $19.95 per solution, not time spent.
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc., (NYSE: HRB) is a diversified company with subsidiaries providing a wide range of financial services and products. In 2001, H&R Block served 19.2 million taxpayers - more than any tax or accounting firm - through its more than 10,400 offices located in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. H&R Block served another 2.3 million tax clients through its award-winning TaxCut(R) software program and its online tax preparation services. Investment services and securities products are offered through H&R Block Financial Advisors, Inc., member NYSE, SIPC. H&R Block, Inc., is not a registered broker-dealer. H&R Block Mortgage Corporation and Option One Mortgage Corporation offer a wide range of home mortgage products. RSM McGladrey, Inc., is a national accounting, tax, and consulting firm with more than 100 offices nationwide, as well as an affiliation with 550 offices in 75 countries as the U.S. member of RSM International. Additional information is available on the company's Web site at www.hrblock.com .
SOURCE H&R Block, Inc.
CONTACT:
Denise Sposato, +1-816-932-4909, dsposato@hrblock.com , Dave Manchon, +1-816-701-4442, dmanchon@hrblock.com , or Tom Linafelt, +1-816-932-8418, tlinafelt@hrblock.com , all of H&R Block URL: http://www.hrblock.com
Copyright © 2002 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.