H&R Block Partners with New York Agencies to Give Lower-Income Residents Access to Professional Tax Preparation

Mar 3, 2008

Block Also Supports EITC Awareness Initiatives

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2008--H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is teaming up with New York area non-profit agencies to ensure tens of thousands of low- to moderate-income residents have access to affordable, professional tax return preparation.

As part of the New York City Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, H&R Block is collaborating with leading New York area non-profit and government agencies, including the Robin Hood Foundation, Food Change, and the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs' Office of Financial Empowerment, to ensure working families take advantage of all the tax benefits they're entitled to receive.

"H&R Block is dedicated to raising the standard of tax preparation for all New York area residents," said Phil Mazzini, Vice President and Managing Director of H&R Block. "We're proud to partner with these community organizations and share the same goal - to put more money back in the pockets of all hard-working New Yorkers."

As part of its efforts, H&R Block is providing discounted tax return preparation services to Union members who meet certain income guidelines. Select Unions throughout the New York area are issuing coupons for their low-income membership for discounted tax return preparation services at H&R Block offices.

In addition, H&R Block, through a subsidiary, is working with Department of Consumer Affairs' Office of Financial Empowerment and seven community organizations to launch a pilot aimed at boosting the quality of tax return preparation services delivered to low-income New York residents. The program, Tax Prep Plus, uses secure technology to connect H&R Block's vast expertise and experience to community organizations in five boroughs that help residents file tax returns each year.

Tax Prep Plus is a special program being offered by the Department of Consumer Affair's Office of Financial Empowerment to help people meet their financial objectives and tap into more mainstream financial services.

H&R Block also contributed $50,000 to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City for public awareness about EITC awareness. The Coalition raises awareness about the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit for low-income, working families. During tax season 2007, New York residents claimed more than $2 billion in total EITC tax credits.

About H&R Block

H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world's preeminent tax services provider, having served more than 400 million clients since 1955 and generating annual revenues of $4 billion in fiscal year 2007. H&R Block provides income tax return preparation and related services and products via a nationwide network of approximately 13,000 company-owned and franchised offices and through TaxCut(R) online and software solutions. The company also provides business services through RSM McGladrey and certain consumer financial services. For more information visit our Online Press Center at www.hrblock.com.

CONTACT: H&R Block
Nancy Mays, 816-854-4537
nmays@hrblock.com

SOURCE: H&R Block