Press Release Details

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 2004--

Easier Tax Preparation and Faster Refunds: Computer Program

Simplifies Taxes and Delivers Life Event Advice, One-Click Access to

                        Tax Pros, and e-filing

Who wouldn't want to get the maximum tax refund possible, plus cut hours off their tax preparation time?

H&R Block TaxCut(R) software hits retail shelves this week, offering the speed and convenience of computer-based tax preparation, backed by 50 years of trusted H&R Block advice and free client support. From 1040 EZ to Schedule C, the TaxCut line guides clients through the tax preparation process and provides the tools and information necessary to get the best refund to which they're entitled.

TaxCut dramatically cuts tax preparation time down to only one-to-two hours with a plainspoken, click-through interview that simplifies taxes while guiding do-it-yourself taxpayers to credits and deductions they might otherwise miss. A typical paper return takes on average 10-12 hours to complete.

"TaxCut is a great deal this year, thanks to its price, clear and intuitive design, voluminous guidance and attention to detail, and family of products and services," PC Magazine said while giving TaxCut four-and-a-half out of five stars in its review of tax software.

By enabling clients to e-file their returns and electronically deposit their refunds, TaxCut cuts the time it takes to get a refund by about half, from 5-8 weeks to about a month. E-filing also provides more accurate returns -- those who e-file are 40 times less likely to receive an error notice from the Internal Revenue Service than those who file paper returns.

For do-it-yourselfers who have recently experienced common life events like weddings, relocations and new children, TaxCut's new Life Event Advice not only shows how the change affects the client's taxes and finances, it also delivers relevant advice designed to cut taxes and help plan for the future.

"TaxCut offers specific, built-in tax advice for the most common life changes," said Derek Swords, H&R Block's director of software products. "Whether it's the arrival of a new child, marriages, mortgages, education or retirement planning, TaxCut helps you work through the relevant tax and financial-planning issues to arrive at the best solution."

In addition to built-in advice, TaxCut offers one-click access to specially trained H&R Block tax professionals for those who are also looking for extra guidance and assurance. H&R Block tax professionals work via e-mail, telephone or online chat to provide quick answers to tough tax questions, or to provide a comprehensive review of the client's self-prepared return, searching for missed credits or deductions.

New Premium State Product Delivers Deeper-Level, State-Specific Advice

TaxCut's new Premium State products deliver deeper-level, money-saving advice about state taxes, video advice from H&R Block tax professionals, and a free, live tax consultation with an H&R Block tax professional familiar with specific state and local tax laws. All of these features are designed to simplify the state tax preparation and help clients take advantage of all applicable state credits and deductions.

Only TaxCut can offer the assurance that comes from working with H&R Block, the nation's leading tax company for more than 50 years. H&R Block's Maximum Refund Guarantee and legendary Accuracy and Satisfaction guarantees back the line of TaxCut products but offering to pay any penalties and interest that result from a TaxCut calculation error, and provide a full money-back guarantee for dissatisfied clients.

Buy TaxCut, Get Microsoft 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.

Available at all major software retailers, TaxCut's range of solutions meet the diverse needs of do-it-yourself taxpayers from those with the simplest to the most complex tax and financial situations. The TaxCut line includes TaxCut Standard, TaxCut Deluxe, TaxCut Premium and TaxCut Home & Business.

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 11/15/04 and 4/30/05. 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 10/15/05 and the rebate form must be postmarked by 10/31/05. Valid only in the U.S., D.C. and APO/FPO addresses. See rebate forms for additional details.

About Block Financial

Block Financial Corporation, a subsidiary of H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB), develops and publishes consumer financial and personal productivity software. Titles include the award-winning H&R Block TaxCut(R), H&R Block TaxCut Deluxe, H&R Block TaxCut Premium, Kiplinger's WILLPower and Kiplinger's Home & Business Attorney. H&R Block Inc. (www.hrblock.com) is a diversified company with subsidiaries that deliver tax services and financial advice, investment and mortgage services, and business accounting and consulting services. H&R Block empowers clients to make tax and financial decisions by providing a unique combination of tax services, financial information and advice, and related products and 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

CONTACT: H&R Block
Tom Linafelt, 816-932-8418
tlinafelt@hrblock.com
or
Boasberg\Wheeler Communications
Sean Wheeler, 816-960-3116
swheeler@bwcom.com

SOURCE: H&R Block