News by SB Informer

Tax Season Kicks Off with New Tools, Tips, and Tech from H&R Block

SB Informer
Thursday, January 11, 2007; 01:58 AM

Millions of taxpayers are just a few mouse clicks away from new software and financial tools, plus advice powered by a nationwide network of tax professionals, available for free this year from H&R Block at www.nationaltaxadviceday.com. for the first time, the company is providing users with its award-winning DeductionPro® software and a brand new tool -- OrganizIT™ -- designed to help taxpayers get started early, get organized for tax season, and maximize their deductions and their refunds. A redesigned tax estimator and a host of other useful free calculators are also available on the site.

Additionally, the new Web site provides detailed tax advice for virtually any tax scenario. Want to deduct a hybrid car? Curious about what you can get just for having a telephone? Wondering how you can save and reinvest your refund to make more money down the road? H&R Block has brought all of this information and much more conveniently together at www.nationaltaxadviceday.com.

H&R Block National Tax Advice Day, Jan. 11, is a nationwide initiative to raise public awareness of the major changes or missed credits that have the greatest impact on taxpayers. The IRS begins accepting e-filed returns the following day, Jan. 12. In addition to its online efforts, H&R Block is kicking off the tax season by mobilizing its network of more than 90,000 tax professionals. The tax professionals will be hitting the streets across America at events around the country and in communities nationwide, delivering free advice on tax topics with the most widespread impact.

"People who get organized, get started early, and take advantage of the combination of new technology and professional advice available on National Tax Advice Day are likely to have a less stressful and potentially more financially rewarding tax season experience than those who wait and go it completely alone," said Tom Allanson, senior vice president and general manager, H&R Block Digital Tax Solutions. "We've created a digital home base that anyone can use -- no matter how, where, or when they do their taxes -- because it is our mission to ensure that American taxpayers have the knowledge, resources, and confidence to get back every penny they're entitled to receive."

Free, new tools and technology available at the site include:

* OrganizIT: A brand new tax organizer designed to help taxpayers plan for a discussion with their tax professional or to prepare their own taxes. Whether the client is a do-it-yourself tax preparer or someone who likes to go to a tax office, OrganizeIT provides valuable, time-saving tools through a dynamic online interface that ensure clients have the right information to speed up the tax prep process and get the most from their refund.

* DeductionPro: Designed to help taxpayers maximize and track their charitable donations, it's fast, intuitive, and includes advice for common deduction questions. DeductionPro helps categorize deductions, assess values, and ensure that nothing gets missed. The tool includes deduction itemization that helps clients ensure they get fair market values of hundreds of common non-cash donations, printable worksheets, detailed reports, and a great deal of deduction assistance. Additionally, DeductionPro can be used year-round to help keep track of cash donations, non-cash donations mileage and medical expenses throughout the year.

* New Tax Estimator: The tax estimator enables clients to use basic information -- even before they get a W-2, to estimate their refund or find out what they'll owe. Getting a head start on this process can help people plan ahead and ensure there are no surprises at tax time.

* Tax Calculators: Other calculators include an up-to-date Alternative Minimum Tax estimator, tools to calculate saver's credit, education, and daycare deductions, and a specialized calculator for small business owners.

H&R Block also is offering extensive advice to help people get the maximum refund, understand changes in the law, and get started on their taxes. Hundreds of tips, common and unusual, plus a tax preparation checklist are available at NationalTaxAdviceDay.com. With so many important tax law changes this year -- including new deductions for environmentally conscious consumers, a new refund for anyone with a phone, and laws related to splitting refunds and saving money -- the need to get ahead and understand new money-saving, money-making opportunities for saving money is greater than ever.

"National Tax Advice Day presents a unique opportunity for H&R Block to help millions of Americans from all walks of life, and so the NationalTaxAdviceDay.com Web site is designed to not only provide access to great tools and professional advice, but also to help people everywhere understand the importance of saving and building a fundamentally sound financial future," Allanson added. "Getting organized, being smarter about your taxes, and making healthy financial choices is something that has an impact not only on this tax season, but on the economic outlook for millions of families for years to come."

Visitors also can access the latest online and software tax preparation tools available from H&R Block. H&R Block TaxCut Online do-it-yourself tax products and its new, redesigned TaxCut Premium software packages are backed by over 50 years of tax preparation expertise. No other tax services company today can make this claim. These products 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.

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. H&R Block Digital Tax Solutions delivers the best value in the industry, with powerful software and online products backed by a company with 50 years of experience and a nationwide network of more than 90,000 tax professionals. Award-winning software is available at national retailers and a full suite of online tax preparation products can be found at hrblock.com and taxcut.com.

About H&R Block
H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is a leading provider of tax, financial, mortgage, accounting, and business consulting services and products. H&R Block is the world's largest tax services provider, having prepared more than 400 million tax returns since 1955. The company and its subsidiaries generated revenues of $4.9 billion and net income of $490 million in fiscal year 2006. In fiscal year 2007, it is operating in four principal business segments: Tax Services (income tax preparation and advice via in-office, online, and software solutions); Mortgage Services (wholesale mortgage originations and loan servicing); Consumer Financial Services (investment and financial advisory services, retail mortgage loans, and banking products and services); and Business Services (tax, accounting and consulting services for midsized businesses). Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., H&R Block markets its services and products under three leading brands -- H&R Block, Option One and RSM McGladrey. For more information visit our Online Press Center at www.hrblock.com.

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