Press Release Details

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 2004--With just three weeks until April 15, the nearly 75 million taxpayers still waiting to do their taxes can -- with a few clicks of a computer mouse -- avoid anxiety and get real-time tax advice guaranteed to help them take advantage of every relevant tax break.

H&R Block Online's Signature Edition enables taxpayers to get one-on-one advice from specially trained H&R Block (NYSE:HRB) tax professionals who complete and e-file the taxpayers' returns via the Internet. The H&R Block tax pro reviews the taxpayer's return for errors and missed credits and deductions, signs and e-files the return, thereby guaranteeing its accuracy and providing professional assistance in the event of an Internal Revenue Service audit.

"Rushing to prepare taxes may lead to errors that cost money or delay a tax refund," said Aaron Horvath, H&R Block's director of e-commerce. "Do-it-yourself clients who use Signature enjoy the guarantees and peace-of-mind that come with working with a tax pro."

    Signature Edition benefits include:

    --  Year-round consultations with H&R Block tax professionals that
        enable clients to evaluate how life events will affect their
        taxes throughout the year.

    --  Audit assistance -- In the event that the IRS contacts the
        client for any reason relating to their Signature Edition
        return, an H&R Block representative will advise the client
        about preparing for and responding to the IRS inquiry.

    --  The H&R Block Advantage -- A report that shows the effect of
        tax law changes on the user's return and provides advice for
        the future.

    --  A library of video tax tips from H&R Block tax pros on common
        tax and tax-related topics and complex tax law changes.

    --  Premium Assistants -- Information and planning tools that help
        clients evaluate complex tax and financial issues, including
        education credits and deductions for home office expenses,
        business expenses and depreciation.

    --  H&R Block "Plain Talk Tax Tips" -- A library of money-saving
        tax tips built into the click-through interview that helps
        users understand common topics such as the Saver's Credit, the
        "bunching" of deductions, commonly overlooked deductions,
        student loan interest and more.

To learn more about Signature Edition and to view an online product demonstration, visit: http://www.hrbopc.com/42.

More Last-Minute Online Tax Assistance

Taxpayers with questions can consult with an H&R Block tax professional by phone or e-mail via H&R Block Online's Ask A Tax Advisor service. The service is available to all taxpayers for $19.95 and is free to users of H&R Block Online's Premium and Signature editions.

Free planning tools and other helpful features are available year-round at hrblock.com. All clients of H&R Block's online tax products enjoy free e-filing of federal and state returns and three-year storage of tax returns.

About H&R Block

H&R Block Inc. (www.hrblock.com) is a diversified company with subsidiaries that deliver tax, financial, mortgage and business products and services. It is the only major company with subsidiaries offering a full range of software, online and in-office tax solutions, combined with personalized financial advice about retirement savings, home ownership, and other opportunities to help clients to build a better financial future. As the world's largest tax services company, H&R Block served nearly 21 million clients in the U.S. and 11 countries in 2003. H&R Block Financial Advisors Inc. offers investment services and securities products. With more than 1,000 financial advisors serving clients at more than 500 offices, H&R Block Financial Advisors Inc. is a member NYSE, SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. H&R Block Inc. is not a registered broker-dealer and is not a registered investment advisor. H&R Block Mortgage Corp. offers a full range of retail mortgage products. Option One Mortgage Corp. provides mortgage services and offers wholesale mortgage products through large financial institutions and a network of 24,000 independent mortgage brokers. RSM McGladrey Business Services Inc. and its subsidiaries serve mid-sized businesses and their owners with tax, accounting and business consulting services, as well as personal wealth management services.

    CONTACT: H&R Block Inc.
             Tom Linafelt, 816-932-8418
             tlinafelt@hrblock.com
                 or
             Boasberg\Wheeler Communications for H&R Block
             Natalie Lutz, 816-960-3106
             nlutz@bwcom.com

    SOURCE: H&R Block Inc.