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H&R Block launches totally free online tax filing for 1040EZ, 1040A

4 min read

4 min read

December 02, 2016


Free online product now includes Earned Income Tax Credit, state return

H&R Block’s online products are available starting today. Now more taxpayers than ever who use H&R Block can prepare and file both their federal 1040EZ or 1040A and state income tax returns online for free with H&R Block’s (NYSE: HRB) Free edition.

Among this year’s product improvements, taxpayers now can easily import last year’s tax return from any other tax preparation service or provider. Just simply drag and drop it in, all with one click.

Also, the Free product now includes the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can be claimed without any additional costs. The EITC is a valuable credit claimed by many families; in tax season 2016, 26 million taxpayers claimed this credit for a total of $65.6 billion, which is an average of $2,482 per taxpayer.

“If you like to do your taxes online, H&R Block has the best product in the market at an incredible value,” said Heather Watts, H&R Block vice president and general manager of H&R Block’s digital business. “In addition to the accuracy and security features in our online products, our free product now gives 63 million taxpayers totally free filing. We are proud to provide a great product at a great value that so many people can benefit from.”

In addition to providing this free online tax filing offer, H&R Block’s online solutions have become easier to use.

On-the-go tax filing

Taxpayers can take control of their tax preparation and file how and when they want, all while benefitting from the company’s decades of tax experience and knowledge. Other benefits of the online products:

  • New! Take a picture of your W-2 to get started quickly: Taxpayers can use a smart device to snap a pic of their W-2 for easy import.
  • Refund Reveal: Through this industry exclusive feature, taxpayers can see just how their refund grows. Refund Reveal shows users in a simple, easy-to-understand snapshot how and why their refund increases or decreases with each entry they make.
  • Use multiple devices: Taxpayers can easily move from one device to another and pick up where they left off.

For example, taxpayers can start by importing last year’s tax return from any tax prep company and by taking a picture of their W-2 with their smartphone. Later, they can enter some information on their tablet. When their schedule allows, they can use their laptop to go back and fill in information they didn’t have earlier, and file on the device of their choice. It’s that easy.

“New and returning H&R Block clients will see the great changes that have been made to the product; the experience is friendly and we ask questions about you and your life. We don’t want taxpayers to worry about how much they know about taxes – we will take care of that,” Watts said.

Secure filing of an accurate return is still the top priority

H&R Block is trusted with some of the most important financial information its clients have. The company is dedicated to protecting that information at every step in the process and it takes many precautions to prevent unauthorized access. As with all H&R Block tax prep solutions, consumers receive the brand’s maximum refund, 100 percent accuracy and 100 percent satisfaction guarantees as well as audit support*.

H&R Block’s online tax preparation products are based on 60-plus years of preparing income tax returns. There are three levels of the online product – Free, Deluxe and Premium – and consumers can be assured they have the right product for their tax situation.

Taxpayers may visit https://www.hrblock.com/online-tax-filing/ to access H&R Block DIY online solutions or http://newsroom.hrblock.com/diy-solutions to read what clients say and for more product details.

*Does not include in-person audit representation, which is sold separately. H&R Block does not provide legal advice.

About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is a global consumer tax services provider. Tax return preparation services are provided by professional tax preparers in approximately 12,000 company-owned and franchise retail tax offices worldwide, and through H&R Block tax software products for the DIY consumer. H&R Block also offers adjacent Tax Plus products and services. In fiscal 2016, H&R Block had annual revenues of over $3 billion with 23.2 million tax returns prepared worldwide. For more information, visit the H&R Block Newsroom at https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/newsroom.