H&R Block Kicks Off Tax Season 2012
KANSAS CITY, MO, Jan 03, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --New offices. New products. New services. It's a new year and H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), the world's largest tax preparation company, is opening all of its offices Jan. 3 to begin serving clients.
Even though the first day the IRS accepts e-filed returns is Jan. 17, H&R Block is opening its offices now to offer taxpayers advice, answer tax questions, make appointments for the season or simply review prior year returns for errors.
With nearly 11,000 offices, now including hundreds in Walmart locations, H&R Block is within 5 miles of most Americans. A network of approximately 100,000 tax professionals nationwide makes filing a tax return convenient and easy with H&R Block.
"Life changes can often mean tax savings. The average refund last year was about $3,000. With an economy that is still struggling and an unemployment rate still high, it's more important than ever to select the right tax preparer to ensure you are getting all the credits and deductions taxpayers are entitled," said Phil Mazzini, president of H&R Block assisted tax services.
Along with the company's core tax preparation services, H&R Block is launching Block Live(SM), a convenient tax return preparation method matching an H&R Block tax professional and taxpayer in real time via video conference. It's like a trip to the office without the trip. The online tool uses a proprietary video interface to enable face-to-face conversations between the taxpayer and the tax professional via real-time chat, video and phone. The taxpayer and tax professional then can securely share documents through the program in order to complete the return.
The service is ideal for taxpayers who work from home, travel extensively, work remotely, serve in the military or just want to experience the convenience of filing taxes in the comfort of their own home, but want the expertise an H&R Block tax professional provides.
There's an app for that The new and improved H&R Block Mobile App, available for download on iTunes and Android market today, features the ability to find an office, select a tax professional and schedule an appointment. Even non-H&R Block clients can track their refunds, access countless tax answers, estimate tax liability, and receive tax tips year-round with this app. It's like having a tax office in their pocket.
"In these tough economic times, H&R Block is doing what it can to help taxpayers get a tax return done fast, accurately and at great value," Mazzini said.
H&R Block's tax professionals provide guaranteed tax return preparation services in-person at retail tax offices open year-round and through Block Live(SM), the only face-to-face online tax preparation experience available in the industry. Because understanding taxes is an integral part of managing personal finances, H&R Block keeps the conversation going with clients all year via blogs, tweets and Facebook status updates. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 800-HRBLOCK or visit www.hrblock.com.
About H&R Block H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) has prepared more than 575 million tax returns worldwide since 1955, making it the country's largest tax services provider. In fiscal 2011, H&R Block had annual revenues of $3.8 billion and prepared more than 24.5 million tax returns worldwide, including Canada and Australia. Tax return preparation services are provided in company-owned and franchise retail tax offices by approximately 100,000 professional tax preparers, and through H&R Block At Home(TM) digital products. The H&R Block Bank provides affordable banking products and services. For more information, visit the H&R Block Online Press Center.
For Further Information Gene King 816-854-4287 Email Contact
SOURCE: H & R Block
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