Press Release Details

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 2006--

As the IRS targets one in 107 taxpayers for audits, H&R Block helps ease taxpayer anxiety with power-packed online tax programs including no-cost Worry-free Audit Support(TM) for e-filers

For millions of Americans who get started thinking about their taxes now, this tax season could be more worry-free and deduction-filled than any before. H&R Block (NYSE:HRB) is launching a new series of enhanced TaxCut Online tax programs and services -- including free assistance for e-filers who get audited, extensive advice to help maximize deductions and a dramatically streamlined online "interview" -- to help remove the complexity, anxiety and doubt often associated with tax time.

TaxCut Online programs will be available on Jan. 9, 2006 -- in time for people to get a jump on tax season just before the IRS begins accepting e-filed returns on January 13 . TaxCut Online programs are available at www.taxcut.com and www.hrblock.com.

"For most people, tax preparation is often a nerve-racking and complicated process, and we need to make it faster, easier and more personal while ensuring our clients can quickly file their taxes with the confidence that they got it right and got the deductions they could," said Tom Allanson, senior vice president and general manager, H&R Block Digital Tax Solutions. "This year, we have reduced the number of screens it will take the average taxpayer to handle their taxes online by 75 percent. We have also made it easier to import existing information into a tax return. Further, we are taking advantage of 50 years of experience and a network of more than 70,000 tax professionals to eliminate the fear of an IRS audit for our TaxCut Online customers."

Worry-free Audit Support(TM)

Among the many enhancements to the TaxCut Online experience, H&R Block is unveiling a new service to help its online taxpayers who may be among the one in 107 taxpayers who will get audited this year. In another industry first, H&R Block is launching Worry-free Audit Support for TaxCut Online clients.

Now, paid TaxCut Online clients who successfully e-file can rest easy knowing one of H&R Block's more than 70,000 tax professionals is ready to help at no additional charge in the event of an audit. From outlining what to expect and providing guidance on how to prepare for the audit, to having an H&R Block enrolled agent(1) represent the TaxCut Online client before the IRS, H&R Block can help manage the process -- 365 days a year, not just at tax time -- and it's all FREE. The service is also available for H&R Block's TaxCut software clients who successfully e-file.

    The Digital Difference

    With TaxCut Online, taxpayers can:

    --  Cut tax preparation time by as much as 80 percent (from 10-12
        hours for pen and paper filers to 2 hours at www.taxcut.com)
        through new, improved click-through interviews

    --  Get common and not-so-common advice from the new
        nationaltaxadviceday.com Web site

    --  Receive free three-year tax return storage

    --  Access free tech support via e-mail and 24/7 live chat at
        1-800-HRBLOCK.

    --  Be 40 times less likely to get an IRS error notice

    --  Receive 100% customer satisfaction and accuracy guarantees. If
        you're not satisfied, you are not obligated to accept and pay
        for the preparation of your tax return. If the program makes a
        calculation error, H&R Block pays any resulting penalties and
        interest.

"The TaxCut Online experience this year is about making every customer completely confident in their tax return," stated Kristin Wagner, H&R Block's director of online product development. "Our TaxCut Online do-it-yourself tax programs are backed by over 50 years of tax preparation expertise. No other tax services company today can make this claim."

The TaxCut Online suite of programs for Tax Year 2005 are tailored for every type of taxpayer, from those with the most simple to the most complex tax and financial situations and are conveniently located at taxcut.com and hrblock.com.

H&R Block TaxCut Online Program Overview

TAXCUT ONLINE EZ

TaxCut Online EZ is designed for taxpayers with simple returns and offers built-in tax advice, e-file notification, seamless imports of previous tax filing information, and a host of other benefits. TaxCut EZ is also risk-free, enabling users to try the tax program before they buy. It is economically priced at only $5.95 for a federal return and $14.95 for a state return. E-filing for both federal and state returns is included free.

TAXCUT ONLINE PREMIUM

Packed with built-in advice, TaxCut Online Premium is designed for taxpayers filing either a 1040A or 1040 federal return. It's also ideal for taxpayers who have experienced a life change event -- marriage, divorce, new home, birth of a child, etc. -- will find TaxCut Online Premium the right choice for his/her tax preparation. TaxCut Online Premium is $19.95 for a federal return and $24.95 for a state return. Again, e-filing for both federal and state returns is included at no additional cost.

Taxpayers also receive one free H&R Block's "Ask A Tax Advisor" session via the Internet with TaxCut Online Premium. Ask A Tax Advisor is a consultation with of one of H&R Block's more than 70,000 tax professionals to answer tax questions related to a tax topic.

TAXCUT ONLINE SIGNATURE

For those who like the satisfaction of doing their own return, but still appreciate a professional's review of their work, H&R Block offers the TaxCut Online Signature tax solution program.

With the TaxCut Online Signature solution, the user has the option of having one of H&R Block's highly-trained tax professionals review the return, making sure the user has taken advantage of all eligible credits and deductions. The tax professional will then sign and e-file the return, guaranteeing that if H&R Block makes an error on the return, it will pay penalties and interest caused by such error. Additionally, with TaxCut Online Signature, users have access to free unlimited, year-round H&R Block tax professionals for tax-related questions about life events, savings and more that may financially impact their tax returns. TaxCut Online Signature costs $79.95 for a federal return and $24.95 for a state return.

ONLINE OFFICE

With Online Office users can now have an H&R Block tax professional do their taxes on their terms. Online Office is ideal for taxpayers who want professional tax preparation but who either don't have the time to visit an H&R Block office, or want the convenience and great service of working with an H&R Block tax professional but want to do it online and on their own schedule.

Now it's simple. With Online Office a user needs only to sign in and complete an easy questionnaire in a secure online account. Then, submit it electronically to the H&R Block tax professional. The tax professional will then complete the return, working with the client, conducting the tax interview and asking key questions conveniently via phone, fax or e-mail. And, the client's completed return is e-filed to the IRS with their approval at no additional charge.

Because of H&R Block's network of more than 12,000 offices nationwide, we're in a unique position to be the only company who can offer an Online Office service for tax preparation. Online Office pricing starts at $79.95 for a federal return and $29.95 for a state return.

To view a comparison of features for the TaxCut Online programs, please see the Features Matrix provided in the TaxCut Online Press Kit located at www.hrblock.com/presscenter.

About H&R Block Digital Tax Solutions

H&R Block Digital Tax Solutions develops and publishes consumer financial and personal productivity software and online programs for the leader in tax preparation and services, H&R Block. Titles include the H&R Block TaxCut family of products -- TaxCut Standard, Deluxe and Premium, as well as the family of online tax preparation products found at hrblock.com and taxcut.com.

About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc. is a diversified company with subsidiaries that deliver tax services and financial advice, investment and mortgage services, and business accounting and consulting services. The company's mission is to help clients achieve their tax and financial objectives by serving as their tax and financial partner. Additional information is available on the company's Web site at www.hrblock.com.

(1) While enrolled agents are not tax attorneys and cannot provide legal advice, they are knowledgeable tax professionals who are eligible to represent the TaxCut client before the IRS.

CONTACT: H&R Block
Denise Sposato, 816-932-4909
dsposato@hrblock.com
or
Fleishman-Hillard
Jan Rasmussen, 816-512-2238
rasmussj@fleishman.com

SOURCE: H&R Block