Form 8-K (06-08-15)


 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): June 8, 2015

H&R BLOCK, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
MISSOURI
1-6089
44-0607856
(State or other jurisdiction of
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)

One H&R Block Way, Kansas City, MO 64105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(816) 854-3000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
¨    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 








Item 2.02.    Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On June 8, 2015, the Company issued a press release regarding the Company’s results of operations for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2015. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number    Description
99.1    Press Release Issued June 8, 2015





SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
H&R BLOCK, INC.
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 8, 2015
By:
 /s/ Scott W. Andreasen
 
 
 
Scott W. Andreasen
 
 
 
Vice President and Secretary







EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 99.1        Press Release Issued June 8, 2015


Form 8-K (06-08-15) Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 99.1
News Release
For Immediate Release: June 8, 2015
H&R Block Announces Fiscal 2015 Results

Total revenues increased $54 million, or 1.8%, to $3.1 billion1
Adjusted EBITDA margin of 30.8% consistent with prior year2 
Earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.75 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB), the world's largest consumer tax services provider, today released its financial results for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2015. Revenues increased for the third consecutive year to $3.1 billion, or 1.8%, driven by successful implementation of the company's pricing strategy and improved return mix in its retail locations, improved digital do-it-yourself (DIY) volume and monetization, and the impact of franchise acquisitions. This was partially offset by volume declines in its retail locations and negative impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations. The company's EBITDA margin of 30.8% was consistent with prior year. Earnings per share from continuing operations decreased 3.3% to $1.75.

Returns prepared by and through H&R Block declined 0.1% to 24.2 million worldwide. This was primarily due to a 4.4% decrease in U.S. assisted tax returns prepared, mainly driven by the continued decline of returns containing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and, to a lesser extent, the second-year impact of the company's decision to discontinue the free federal 1040EZ promotion. The company believes the decline in volume was also exacerbated by the impact of industry-wide fraud. H&R Block's DIY returns, including desktop and online, improved 8% due to product enhancements and improved consumer awareness.

"We saw positive changes in our assisted return mix, our DIY business did very well, both from a volume and a revenue perspective, and our tax professionals delivered expert ACA advice to their clients," said Bill Cobb, H&R Block's president and chief executive officer. "I'm pleased that despite the decline in volume we delivered top line revenue growth for the third consecutive year and achieved strong margins."

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) brought increased complexity to the tax return preparation process for the first time during the 2015 tax season. Confusion, incorrect or delayed 1095-A information documents, and overall anxiety regarding refund impacts modified the timing of taxpayer filings and for some, materially impacted their refunds. Approximately 16% of H&R Block's clients were directly impacted by the ACA, with the majority of such clients being those without qualifying insurance coverage and either paying the required penalty or obtaining an exemption. Increasing Marketplace enrollment, higher penalties, and new documentation requirements will impact taxpayer behavior for several years to come. H&R Block made significant investments in training, systems and marketing to ensure it is well positioned to serve taxpayers impacted by the ACA going forward.


1 All amounts in this release are unaudited. Unless otherwise noted, all comparisons refer to the current period compared to the corresponding prior year period.
2 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is a non-GAAP financial measure, which the company finds relevant when measuring its performance. The company also reports adjusted financial performance, which it believes is a better indication of the company's recurring operations. See "About Non-GAAP Financial Information" below for more information regarding financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounts principles (GAAP).
3All per share amounts are based on fully diluted shares.



During this tax season, the industry saw the increasing trend of concern around fraud. While H&R Block has been advocating for actions to address fraud for several years, meaningful attention is now being paid within the tax preparation industry to issues such as tax identify theft and improper EITC payments that continue to cost taxpayers billions of dollars. H&R Block has led the fight against tax fraud and remains focused on advocating for change that benefits consumers by strengthening anti-fraud measures. Commonsense measures such as consistent standards for all tax filings and mandatory certification for paid tax preparers, among other actions, are necessary to address these issues.

"This has been a challenging tax season impacted by changes in the timing of tax filings, the first year implementation of the ACA and the continued and growing issue of fraud in our industry," added Cobb. "We're focused on the future, and by investing in our infrastructure through enhanced training, the implementation of new tax preparation software in our assisted channel, and an upgrade of our offices, H&R Block is well positioned for success."

Fiscal 2015 Results From Continuing Operations

"We increased revenues for the third consecutive year and continued to deliver strong bottom line results," said Greg Macfarlane, H&R Block's chief financial officer. "Additionally, our ongoing focus on productivity has allowed us to invest significantly back into the business while achieving targeted EBITDA margins and strong free cash flow."

 
 
Actual
 
Adjusted
(in millions, except EPS)
 
Fiscal Year 2015
 
Fiscal Year 2014
 
Fiscal Year 2015
 
Fiscal Year 2014
Revenue
 
$
3,079

 
$
3,024

 
$
3,079

 
$
3,024

EBITDA
 
$
949

 
$
940

 
$
951

 
$
932

Pretax Income
 
$
743

 
$
767

 
$
745

 
$
759

Net Income
 
$
487

 
$
500

 
$
488

 
$
495

Weighted-Avg. Shares - Diluted
 
277.1

 
276.0

 
277.1

 
276.0

EPS
 
$
1.75

 
$
1.81

 
$
1.75

 
$
1.79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Business Segment Financial Results and Highlights

Tax Services
Revenues increased 1.9% to $3.1 billion, driven by improvements in tax return mix in both the company's assisted channel and DIY products, pricing increases, the impact of the franchise acquisitions, and DIY unit growth. Lower assisted return volumes and the impact of foreign currency translation partially offset the revenue increase.
U.S. assisted tax preparation fees and royalties increased 2.3% to $2.1 billion, primarily due to improved return mix, pricing increases, and the impact of franchise acquisitions, offset partially by lower return volumes.





DIY tax preparation fees increased 12.1% to $228.4 million due to client growth and improved monetization.
Revenues related to Tax Plus products (H&R Block Emerald Advance® Line of Credit, refund transfers (formerly known as refund anticipation checks), H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard®, Peace of Mind®, and Tax Identity ShieldTM) declined 4.3% to $413.1 million, as lower return volume negatively impacted product sales.
International return volume increased 3.9% and revenues increased 7.8% on a local currency basis.
On a U.S. dollar basis, international tax preparation revenues increased 3.8% due to the negative impact of foreign exchange totaling $17.9 million.
Total operating expenses increased 5.1% to $2.2 billion, mainly due to increased depreciation and amortization, compensation, marketing, and training and other costs related to the implementation of assisted tax software.
Adjusted non-GAAP pretax income declined 3.6% to $825.5 million.

Corporate
Pretax loss improved by $18.8 million to $80.4 million, primarily as a result of lower interest expense due to the repayment of a $400 million note in October 2014 and reduced legal and consulting fees.
Effective tax rate from continuing operations was 34.5%.

Discontinued Operations
Sand Canyon Corporation (SCC), a separate legal entity from H&R Block, Inc., continued to engage in constructive settlement discussions with counterparties that have made a significant majority of previously denied representation and warranty claims.
During the third quarter, SCC entered into a settlement agreement to resolve certain of these claims. The settlement amount was fully covered by prior accruals and was paid in the fiscal third quarter.
SCC's accrual for contingent losses related to representation and warranty claims was $150 million at April 30.

Balance Sheet
As of April 30, the company had unrestricted cash of $2.0 billion and total outstanding debt of $506.1 million.
Shareholder equity at April 30 was $1.8 billion.

Dividends
A previously announced quarterly cash dividend of 20 cents per share is payable on July 1, 2015 to shareholders of record as of June 15, 2015. The July 1 dividend payment will be H&R Block's 211th consecutive quarterly dividend since the company went public in 1962.





Fiscal 2015 Conference Call
In conjunction with the release of the fiscal 2015 results, the company will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on June 8, 2015 for analysts, institutional investors, and shareholders to discuss the fiscal 2015 results, future outlook and a general business update. To access the call, please dial the number below approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:

U.S./Canada (866) 872-0323 or International (443) 842-7595
Conference ID: 8986376

The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and public. The link to the webcast can be accessed directly at http://investors.hrblock.com.

A replay of the call will be available beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on June 8, 2015, and continuing until July 8, 2015, by dialing (855) 859-2056 (U.S./Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (International). The conference ID is 8986376. The webcast will be available for replay June 9, 2015 at
http://investors.hrblock.com.

About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world's largest consumer tax services provider. More than 680 million tax returns have been prepared worldwide by and through H&R Block since 1955. In fiscal 2015, H&R Block had annual revenues of nearly $3.1 billion with 24.2 million tax returns prepared worldwide. Tax return preparation services are provided by professional tax preparers in approximately 12,000 company-owned and franchise retail tax offices worldwide, and through H&R Block tax software products. H&R Block Bank provides affordable banking products and services. For more information, visit the H&R Block Newsroom at http://newsroom.hrblock.com/.
About Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release and the accompanying tables include non-GAAP financial information. For a description of these non-GAAP financial measures, including the reasons management uses each measure, and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, please see the section of the accompanying tables titled "Non-GAAP Financial Information."
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words or variation of words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "targets," "would," "will," "should," "could" or "may" or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements provide management's current expectations or predictions of future conditions, events or results. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future are forward-looking statements. They may include estimates of revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, liquidity, capital structure or other financial items, descriptions of management's plans or objectives for future operations, products or services, or descriptions of assumptions underlying any of the above. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and reflect the company's good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance or events. Furthermore, the company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise



any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions, factors, or expectations, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes, except as required by law. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, a variety of economic, competitive and regulatory factors, many of which are beyond the company's control and which are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2014 in the section entitled "Risk Factors," as well as additional factors we may describe from time to time in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and, consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.
For Further Information
Investor Relations:    Colby Brown, (816) 854-4559, colby.brown@hrblock.com
Media Relations:    Gene King, (816) 854-4672, gene.king@hrblock.com
TABLES FOLLOW






KEY OPERATING RESULTS
 
(unaudited, in 000s - except per share data)
 
 
 
Year ended April 30,
 
 
Revenues
 
Income (loss)
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax Services
 
$
3,056,299

 
$
2,999,460

 
$
823,236

 
$
866,367

Corporate and Eliminations
 
22,359

 
24,835

 
(80,431
)
 
(99,251
)
 
 
$
3,078,658

 
$
3,024,295

 
742,805

 
767,116

Income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
256,061

 
267,019

Net income from continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
486,744

 
500,097

Net loss from discontinued operations
 
 
 
 
 
(13,081
)
 
(24,940
)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
$
473,663

 
$
475,157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.77

 
$
1.82

Discontinued operations
 
 
 
 
 
(0.05
)
 
(0.09
)
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.72

 
$
1.73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic shares
 
 
 
 
 
275,033

 
273,830

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.75

 
$
1.81

Discontinued operations
 
 
 
 
 
(0.04
)
 
(0.09
)
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.71

 
$
1.72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted shares
 
 
 
 
 
277,136

 
276,027

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(unaudited, in 000s - except per share data)
 
As of April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
2,007,190

 
$
2,185,307

Cash and cash equivalents — restricted
 
91,972

 
115,319

Receivables, net
 
167,964

 
191,618

Deferred tax assets and income taxes receivable
 
174,267

 
135,327

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
70,283

 
62,940

Investments in available-for-sale securities
 
439,625

 
423,495

Total current assets
 
2,951,301

 
3,114,006

Mortgage loans held for investment, net
 
239,338

 
268,428

Property and equipment, net
 
311,387

 
304,911

Intangible assets, net
 
432,142

 
355,622

Goodwill
 
441,831

 
436,117

Deferred tax assets and income taxes receivable
 
13,461

 
47,247

Other assets
 
125,960

 
167,198

Total assets
 
$
4,515,420

 
$
4,693,529

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
Customer banking deposits
 
$
744,241

 
$
769,785

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
231,322

 
222,489

Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes
 
144,744

 
167,032

Accrued income taxes
 
434,684

 
406,655

Current portion of long-term debt
 
790

 
400,637

Deferred revenue and other current liabilities
 
322,508

 
346,518

Total current liabilities
 
1,878,289

 
2,313,116

Long-term debt
 
505,298

 
505,837

Deferred tax liabilities and reserves for uncertain tax positions
 
142,586

 
157,465

Deferred revenue and other noncurrent liabilities
 
156,298

 
160,562

Total liabilities
 
2,682,471

 
3,136,980

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
 
 
 
 
Common stock, no par, stated value $.01 per share
 
3,166

 
3,166

Additional paid-in capital
 
783,793

 
766,654

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
1,740

 
5,177

Retained earnings
 
1,836,442

 
1,589,297

Less treasury shares, at cost
 
(792,192
)
 
(807,745
)
Total stockholders’ equity
 
1,832,949

 
1,556,549

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
4,515,420

 
$
4,693,529

 
 
 
 
 






CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
(unaudited, in 000s - except per share amounts)
 
Year ended April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
 
$
2,651,057

 
$
2,570,273

Royalty, product and other revenues
 
334,737

 
355,928

Interest income
 
92,864

 
98,094

 
 
3,078,658

 
3,024,295

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues: (1)
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
852,480

 
816,623

Occupancy and equipment
 
378,624

 
362,782

Provision for bad debt and loan losses
 
74,993

 
80,007

Depreciation and amortization
 
111,861

 
93,259

Other
 
212,532

 
219,706

 
 
1,630,490

 
1,572,377

Selling, general and administrative:
 
 
 
 
Marketing and advertising
 
273,682

 
238,763

Compensation and benefits
 
238,527

 
249,779

Depreciation and amortization
 
47,943

 
22,345

Other selling, general and administrative
 
93,350

 
122,541

 
 
653,502

 
633,428

Total operating expenses
 
2,283,992

 
2,205,805

Other income
 
1,314

 
36,315

Interest expense on borrowings (1)
 
(45,246
)
 
(55,279
)
Other expenses
 
(7,929
)
 
(32,410
)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
 
742,805

 
767,116

Income taxes
 
256,061

 
267,019

Net income from continuing operations
 
486,744

 
500,097

Net loss from discontinued operations
 
(13,081
)
 
(24,940
)
NET INCOME
 
$
473,663

 
$
475,157

 
 
 
 
 
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
$
1.77

 
$
1.82

Discontinued operations
 
(0.05
)
 
(0.09
)
Consolidated
 
$
1.72

 
$
1.73

 
 
 
 
 
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
$
1.75

 
$
1.81

Discontinued operations
 
(0.04
)
 
(0.09
)
Consolidated
 
$
1.71

 
$
1.72

 
 
 
 
 
(1) 
The 2014 presentation of interest expense from borrowings has been restated to correct errors in presentation, whereby we reclassified such interest expense from cost of revenues to a separate caption.





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(unaudited, in 000s)
 
Year ended April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
$
626,608

 
$
809,581

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
 
(90,581
)
 
(45,158
)
Maturities of and payments received on available-for-sale securities
 
91,878

 
107,101

Principal payments on mortgage loans held for investment, net
 
23,886

 
46,664

Capital expenditures
 
(123,158
)
 
(147,011
)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
(113,252
)
 
(68,428
)
Proceeds received on notes receivable
 

 
64,865

Franchise loans:
 
 
 
 
Loans funded
 
(49,695
)
 
(63,960
)
Payments received
 
90,636

 
87,220

Other, net
 
21,354

 
29,397

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
(148,932
)
 
10,690

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Repayments of commercial paper
 
(1,049,136
)
 
(316,000
)
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper
 
1,049,136

 
316,000

Repayments of long-term debt
 
(400,000
)
 

Customer banking deposits, net
 
(28,544
)
 
(163,952
)
Dividends paid
 
(219,960
)
 
(218,980
)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered
 
(10,449
)
 
(6,106
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
16,522

 
28,246

Other, net
 
(3,376
)
 
(4,138
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(645,807
)
 
(364,930
)
 
 
 
 
 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash
 
(9,986
)
 
(17,618
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(178,117
)
 
437,723

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
 
2,185,307

 
1,747,584

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year
 
$
2,007,190

 
$
2,185,307

 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW DATA:
 
 
 
 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received
 
$
236,624

 
$
155,735

Interest paid on borrowings
 
44,847

 
55,221

Interest paid on deposits
 
736

 
2,162

Transfers of foreclosed loans to other assets
 
4,805

 
7,644

Accrued additions to property and equipment
 
14,282

 
5,257

Conversion of investment in preferred stock to available-for-sale common stock
 
5,000

 

Transfer of mortgage loans held for investment to held for sale
 

 
7,608

 
 
 
 
 





TAX SERVICES – FINANCIAL RESULTS
 
(unaudited, amounts in 000s)
 
Year ended April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
Tax preparation fees:
 
 
 
 
U.S. assisted
 
$
1,865,438

 
$
1,794,043

International
 
207,772

 
200,152

U.S. digital
 
228,416

 
203,699

 
 
2,301,626

 
2,197,894

Royalties
 
292,743

 
316,153

Revenues from Refund Transfers
 
171,094

 
181,394

Revenues from Emerald Card®
 
103,300

 
103,730

Revenues from Peace of Mind® guarantees
 
81,551

 
89,685

Interest and fee income on Emerald Advance
 
57,202

 
56,877

Other
 
48,783

 
53,727

Total revenues
 
3,056,299

 
2,999,460

Compensation and benefits:
 
 
 
 
Field wages
 
731,309

 
702,312

Other wages
 
158,463

 
169,583

Benefits and other compensation
 
167,178

 
158,203

 
 
1,056,950

 
1,030,098

Occupancy and equipment
 
375,392

 
363,590

Marketing and advertising
 
271,866

 
237,214

Depreciation and amortization
 
159,787

 
115,488

Bad debt
 
75,003

 
71,733

Supplies
 
42,808

 
36,454

Other
 
242,054

 
260,676

Total operating expenses
 
2,223,860

 
2,115,253

Other income
 
799

 
10,664

Interest expense on borrowings
 
(2,067
)
 
(2,137
)
Other expenses
 
(7,935
)
 
(26,367
)
Pretax income
 
$
823,236

 
$
866,367

 
 
 
 
 






WORLDWIDE TAX OPERATING DATA
 
 
 
 
 
(in 000s)

Year ended April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Tax Returns Prepared: (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
H&R Block Company-Owned Operations
 
8,327

 
8,744

 
(4.8
)%
H&R Block Franchise Operations
 
4,688

 
4,866

 
(3.7
)%
   Total H&R Block Assisted (3)
 
13,015

 
13,610

 
(4.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
H&R Block Desktop (4)
 
2,168

 
2,026

 
7.0
 %
H&R Block Online (5)
 
4,765

 
4,389

 
8.6
 %
Total H&R Block DIY
 
6,933

 
6,415

 
8.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
H&R Block Free File Alliance
 
676

 
767

 
(11.9
)%
Total H&R Block U.S. Returns
 
20,624

 
20,792

 
(0.8
)%
International Tax Returns Prepared:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Canada (2)
 
2,658

 
2,642

 
0.6
 %
Australia
 
768

 
746

 
2.9
 %
Other
 
115

 
21

 
447.6
 %
Total International Tax Returns
 
3,541

 
3,409

 
3.9
 %
Tax Returns Prepared Worldwide
 
24,165

 
24,201

 
(0.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)  
Prior year numbers have been reclassified between company-owned and franchise for offices which were refranchised or repurchased by the company.
(2) 
In fiscal years 2015 and 2014, the end of the Canadian tax season was extended from April 30 to May 5. Tax returns prepared in Canada in fiscal years 2015 and 2014 includes approximately 131 thousand and 141 thousand returns, respectively, in both company-owned and franchise offices which were accepted by the client after April 30. The revenues related to these returns were recognized in fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(3)
An assisted return is defined as an individual tax return that has been accepted by the client who has either paid for tax preparation services or settled with a refund transfer. It also includes extensions and business returns.
(4)
A desktop return is defined as an individual tax return that has been electronically filed and accepted by the IRS.
(5)
An online return is defined as an individual tax return that has been electronically filed and accepted by the IRS or purchased with a credit card and printed for mailing.





NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
 
 
Year ended April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
EBITDA
 
Earnings
 
EBITDA
 
Earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As reported - from continuing operations
 
$
948,537

 
$
486,744

 
$
940,108

 
$
500,097

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss contingencies - litigation
 
(3,936
)
 
(3,936
)
 
1,844

 
1,844

Severance
 
6,699

 
6,699

 
5,204

 
5,204

Professional fees related to HRB Bank transaction
 
238

 
238

 
2,747

 
2,747

Losses (gains) on AFS securities
 
124

 
124

 
(5,836
)
 
(5,836
)
Gain on sales of tax offices/businesses
 
(656
)
 
(656
)
 
(11,738
)
 
(11,738
)
Tax effect on adjustments
 

 
(963
)
 

 
3,045

 
 
2,469

 
1,506

 
(7,779
)
 
(4,734
)
As adjusted - from continuing operations
 
$
951,006

 
$
488,250

 
$
932,329

 
$
495,363

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EPS
 
 
 
$
1.75

 
 
 
$
1.79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended April 30,
 
 
 
 
EBITDA
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income - as reported
$
473,663

 
$
475,157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add back :
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operations
 
13,081

 
24,940

 
 
 
 
Income taxes
 
256,061

 
267,019

 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
45,928

 
57,388

 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
159,804

 
115,604

 
 
 
 
 
 
474,874

 
464,951

 
 
 
 
EBITDA from continuing operations
 
$
948,537

 
$
940,108

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended April 30,
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Information
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pretax
 
$
26,068

 
$
20,058

 
 
 
 
After-tax
 
15,918

 
12,204

 
 
 
 
Amortization of intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pretax
 
$
58,521

 
$
30,895

 
 
 
 
After-tax
 
35,736

 
18,798

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The accompanying press release contains non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Because these measures are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures for other companies.
We consider non-GAAP financial measures to be a useful metric for management and investors to evaluate and compare the ongoing operating performance of our business on a consistent basis across reporting periods, as it eliminates the effect of items that are not indicative of our core operating performance.
The following are descriptions of adjustments we make for our non-GAAP financial measures:
We exclude losses from settlements and estimated contingent losses from litigation and favorable reserve adjustments. This does not include legal defense costs.
We exclude non-cash charges to adjust the carrying values of goodwill, intangible assets, other long-lived assets and investments to their estimated fair values.
We exclude severance and other restructuring charges in connection with the termination of personnel, closure of offices and related costs.
We exclude the gains and losses on business dispositions, including investment banking, legal and accounting fees from both business dispositions and acquisitions.
We exclude the gains and losses on extinguishment of debt.
We may consider whether other significant items that arise in the future should also be excluded from our non-GAAP financial measures.
We measure the performance of our business using a variety of metrics, including EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted income of continuing operations. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted income eliminate the impact of items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance and, we believe, provide meaningful information to assist in understanding our financial results, analyzing trends in our underlying business, and assessing our prospects for future performance. We also use EBITDA and income of continuing operations, each subject to permitted adjustments, as performance metrics in incentive compensation calculations for our employees.
We no longer include adjustments for discrete tax items in reporting our non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP measures previously reported in fiscal year 2014 have been restated to conform with our current reporting practice.