Press Release Details

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec 3, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- To help do-it-yourself taxpayers get every advantage from complex new tax law changes, #1-rated(a) TaxCut(R) from H&R Block, which hits retail shelves this week, this year features a new library of money-saving tax tips built into the click-through interview and a personalized, advice-filled report tailored to the client's tax and financial situation.

New this year is H&R Block Plain Talk Tax Tips, a library of money-saving tax advice -- built into the click-through interview -- designed to help users understand common but complex tax and financial issues. The H&R Block Advantage, a personalized tax-planning report, shows the effect of tax law changes on the user's return and delivers specific advice according to each client's occupation and unique tax and financial situation.

By seamlessly delivering trusted H&R Block tax knowledge and one-click access to specially selected and trained tax professionals, these and other new features are designed to ensure that TaxCut clients are getting every tax advantage they deserve while effectively planning their financial futures.

"We've focused major improvements on ensuring TaxCut clients get every tax advantage available to them under the law, as well as improving the ease-of-use for completing even the most complex of returns," said Chrys Sullivan, H&R Block's director of software products.

A completely new user interface design updates TaxCut's look while incorporating new user-friendly navigation tools and an even easier-to-follow click-through interview. The new Topic Navigator helps users better understand where they are in the process of completing their return and enables easy navigation from one part of the return to another. New Get Ready screens help users prepare for each section of the return by ensuring they have collected all of the appropriate documentation.

In addition to new, user-friendly navigation and a streamlined, click-through interview, TaxCut this year launches money-saving tax advice throughout the interview. New, built-in Plain Talk Tax Tips provide advice that do-it-yourselfers can only get from H&R Block. From topics like the Saver's Credit and commonly overlooked deductions to complex tax strategies for rental property owners and investors, TaxCut is the only tax software complete with this in-depth tax advice from H&R Block. TaxCut also includes updated Tax Law Assistants that help clients understand and make the most of new tax laws.

"Do-it-yourselfers who use TaxCut will have access to the same type of personalized, actionable tax advice that customers who go to an H&R Block office will receive," says Sullivan. "The H&R Block Advantage is our promise to help all customers get the best tax advantage available to them under the law."

TaxCut users with additional questions can consult with an H&R Block tax professional by phone or e-mail via H&R Block's Ask A Tax Advisor service. The service is available to all taxpayers for $19.95 and is free with a mail-in rebate to users of TaxCut Premium.

For reassurance that they've completed their return accurately and have taken advantage of applicable tax breaks, do-it-yourself TaxCut clients can work with an H&R Block tax pro via the Professional Review service. The H&R Block tax pro reviews the self-prepared return, interviews the client and makes suggestions for any money-saving opportunities.

    A TaxCut Product for Every Type of Taxpayer

    NEW! TaxCut EZ

This year the TaxCut line expands to provide relevant, personalized solutions for the full range of taxpayers - from those with the simplest to those with the most complex tax and financial situations. Young taxpayers with simple returns will appreciate the new TaxCut EZ product, which enables users filing 1040EZ returns to complete their taxes and e-file their return in minutes.

TaxCut Premium

TaxCut Premium helps individuals with complex tax and financial situations complete their taxes with ease and with confidence that they have taken advantage of every applicable tax benefit. Individuals with families, investors, rental property owners and retirees will benefit from improved tax interviews and new assistance with complex tax and financial topics.

Included with TaxCut Premium is a free (after mail-in rebate) Ask A Tax Advisor service (a $19.95 value) in which clients with questions can consult with an H&R Block tax professional via phone or e-mail.

Investors benefit from several Premium features, including an improved Capital Gains Assistant, which helps determine cost basis for different types of securities. Also new for investors is H&R Block's Premium Plain Talk Tax Tips, which include tax-saving tips on restricted stock, capital loss carryovers, and other complex tax and financial issues.

Homeowners get help maximizing the tax benefits of home ownership with the new Vacation Rental Assistant and Home Basis Assistant.

In addition to features that deliver deeper-level advice, TaxCut Premium users will be able to maximize the tax benefits of their charitable donations with a free copy of DeductionPro software (after mail-in rebate). Millions of Americans each year lose money by neglecting to claim the full value of their charitable donations

TaxCut Deluxe

TaxCut Deluxe includes updated interactive video tax advice from H&R Block tax professionals, along with one federal e-file ($14.95 value) and a TaxCut state program (up to a $24.95 value), both free after mail-in rebates. TaxCut Deluxe also includes easy access to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publications, and a new Tuition Assistant that helps users determine which of several college tuition tax breaks is the best for them.

TaxCut Standard

TaxCut Standard simplifies the process of completing and e-filing a Federal tax return, and helps users get their refunds as quickly as possible. TaxCut's Error Check double-checks each return for common errors or entries that might flag an IRS audit. The new Simple Pay solution enables users to deduct their e-file fees from their refund, which means no credit cards are required for e-filing (additional fees may apply).

TaxCut State, available for all states with income tax, dramatically cuts tax prep time by automatically transferring users' federal information to their state returns.

TaxCut: The Best Value For All Tax Situations

TaxCut continues to lead the tax software industry in value, offering comprehensive products at low prices in retail outlets and online at www.taxcut.com. TaxCut Premium, which includes special investors' tools, one Ask A Tax Advisor, one TaxCut State program and e-filing for one federal return (each free after mail-in rebate), costs just $29.95 (MSRP) after a $10 mail-in rebate. TaxCut Deluxe, which includes one free TaxCut State program and free e-filing for one federal return (each after mail-in rebate), costs just $19.95 (MSRP) after a $5 rebate. TaxCut Standard costs just $9.95 (MSRP) after a $5 mail-in rebate.

TaxCut personal editions include the following guarantees: If TaxCut makes an arithmetic error in calculating a user's taxes, TaxCut will pay any resulting IRS penalties (conditions apply); and, if a TaxCut user is dissatisfied with the software within 60 days of purchase, their purchase price will be refunded. (Sales tax and shipping not included.)

Buy TaxCut, Get Money Free

TaxCut and Microsoft Money have joined for the fourth consecutive year, offering great value in both tax preparation and personal financial management software. Customers who purchase TaxCut receive up to a $29.95 mail-in rebate to purchase Microsoft Money 2004 Standard FREE. Or, customers can get a $40 rebate on Microsoft Money 2004 Deluxe, Premium or Small Business.

(a) #1 rating based upon reviews of TaxCut Deluxe/Platinum for tax
    year 2002.

Rebate Requirements: Mail-in rebate forms are included with TaxCut software. Rebate amounts on software are the prices paid for the products, up to suggested retail price. Rebate amount does not include sales tax or shipping/handling. To qualify for the software rebates, the buyer must purchase the qualifying products between 11/15/03 and 4/30/04. For TaxCut State/Tax Advice/DeductionPro/Legal software/Money Standard $29.95 or Money Deluxe, Premium or Small Business $40 rebates, the rebate forms along with qualifying proofs of purchase must be postmarked within 30 days of the date of purchase of TaxCut State/Tax Advice/DeductionPro/legal software/Money. For TaxCut, rebate forms along with qualifying proofs of purchase must be postmarked within 30 days of the date of purchase of TaxCut. To qualify for the e-file rebate, you must e-file your return by 10/15/04 and the rebate form must be postmarked by 10/31/04. Valid only in the U.S., DC and APO/FPO addresses. See rebate forms for additional details.

About Block Financial

Block Financial Corporation, a subsidiary of H&R Block, Inc., develops and publishes consumer financial and personal productivity software. Titles include the award-winning TaxCut(R) from H&R Block, TaxCut Deluxe, TaxCut Platinum for Home & Business, Kiplinger's WILLPower and Kiplinger's Home & Business Attorney. H&R Block Inc. is a diversified company with subsidiaries that deliver tax, financial, mortgage and business products and services. It is the only major company with subsidiaries offering a full range of software, online and in-office tax solutions, combined with personalized financial advice about retirement savings, home ownership, and other opportunities to help clients to build a better financial future. As the world's largest tax preparation company, H&R Block in fiscal year 2003 served nearly 21 million clients in approximately 10,400 retail offices worldwide and with award-winning TaxCut(R) software and online services. H&R Block Financial Advisors Inc. offers investment services and securities products and is a member NYSE, SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. H&R Block Inc. and Block Financial Corporation are not registered broker-dealers and are not registered investment advisors. Additional information is available on the company's Web site at www.hrblock.com.

SOURCE: H&R Block

H&R Block
Tom Linafelt, 816-932-8418
tlinafelt@hrblock.com
or
Boasberg\Wheeler Communications for H&R Block
Natalie Lutz, 816-960-3106
nlutz@bwcom.com

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