Have Questions About the New Tax Cut? H&R Block's Free Online Chats To Provide Answers

May 30, 2001

KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The debates are over. The political rhetoric has ended. Now the only question left is, "What does this tax cut mean to me?" To help answer taxpayers specific questions about the new tax cut, H&R Block is making its tax experts available free to consumers through a series of online chats.

The first chat is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (eastern) on Thursday, May 31. Consumers can simply logon to www.hrblock.com to ask a member of H&R Block's tax research department their question about the new tax cut.

"We want to help taxpayers understand these tax law changes before they start preparing their returns next year," said Mark Ernst, chief executive officer of H&R Block. "That's why we're bringing our knowledge and analysis of the tax cut to the Web for all consumers."

In addition to the regular online chats, hrblock.com offers the most comprehensive and free information available on the Web. The site has a complete analysis of the new tax laws, including charts and graphs, and how the changes will impact taxpayers of different income levels.

About H&R Block

H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is a diversified company with subsidiaries providing a wide range of financial products and services. In 2000, H&R Block served 19.2 million taxpayers -- more than any tax or accounting firm -- through its more than 10,000 offices located in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. H&R Block served another 1.8 million tax clients through its award-winning software program, Kiplinger TaxCut(R), and through its new 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 full range of home mortgage products. RSM McGladrey Inc. is a national accounting, tax and consulting firm with 100 offices nationwide, as well as an affiliation with 550 offices in 75 countries as the U.S. member of RSM International. Quarterly results and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.hrblock.com .

SOURCE H&R Block Inc.

CONTACT: Neil Getzlow, Media Relations of H&R Block Inc., 816-932-4886/