Press Release Details

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Mar 14, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Facing Tax Law Changes, Taxpayers Now Have Comprehensive Web Options for Completing Taxes at MSN

Recognizing that tax law changes have made taxpayers' returns more complicated, H&R Block and MSN have aligned to offer a comprehensive range of Internet-based tax tools available from the comfort of the taxpayer's own home.

MSN and H&R Block are eliminating the guesswork and stress from the tax preparation process by providing convenient access to H&R Block's online tax services. MSN visitors can access Block's wide array of online tax solutions -- from tax advice to complete professional tax preparation -- at http://money.msn.com.

"As a result of the H&R Block alliance, we're able to offer MSN visitors access to tax preparation and filing services from the industry's most trusted tax professionals," said Chris Jolley, director of marketing for Microsoft's Financial Products Group. "The combination of tax expertise, technology and resources from MSN and H&R Block provides consumers with the most useful tax solution available, regardless of their preferred method of filing."

MSN visitors have convenient access to H&R Block online tax products and services that include:

-- Professional Tax Service -- With more than 440 new tax law changes, some of which are effective this year, many taxpayers want the benefits of professional tax preparation combined with the convenience of the Internet. H&R Block's Professional Tax Service is the answer. Clients simply provide their tax information online at http://money.msn.com and H&R Block does the rest, preparing and delivering a signed tax return to the customer.
-- Online Tax Program -- Do-it-yourself taxpayers looking for a faster, easier tax preparation solution than the traditional pen and paper method can access Block's Online Tax Program by visiting http://money.msn.com. The Online Tax Program can cut hours off manual tax preparation time and, with electronic filing and direct deposit, can cut weeks off the time required to receive a refund. The fee, starting at $19.95, includes electronic filing.
-- Professional Review -- Taxpayers who access Block's Professional Review service through http://money.msn.com get the reassurance that comes from having their self-prepared return reviewed by an H&R Block tax professional. That tax professional checks the self-prepared return for errors and ensures the client is complying with and, where applicable, getting the full benefit of tax laws. Fees start at $29.95 and include review of both the federal and resident state returns. About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc., 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.

CONTACT:

H&R Block, Inc.
Tom Linafelt, 816/932-8418
tlinafelt@hrblock.com
David Gunasegaram, 816/960-3126

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