• Home:
• News:
• H&R Block:

Four Ways to Meet Tax Filing Deadline With H&R Block

By: H&R Block |  2 Shares     92 Reads

Time Is Dwindling, but Resources Ready for Taxpayers Needing to File by April 17 Deadline

KANSAS CITY, MO, Apr 05, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --More than 1 in 4 taxpayers waits until April to file their tax return. Typically, as time runs out for completing important tasks, so do the options of how to get those tasks completed. This isn't true with tax returns: With less than two weeks remaining until the April 17 tax filing deadline, taxpayers still have four primary filing options with H&R Block (NYSE: HRB). Plus, all the options come with accuracy guarantees and some options are free.

"Depending on a taxpayer's individual needs and comfort level with their finances, they elect to come to a tax office for assisted preparation or they do their taxes themselves," said Elaine Smith, master tax advisor and enrolled agent at H&R Block. "At H&R Block, there are a variety of ways for taxpayers to get their taxes prepared, all based on what clients want and need. As the April 17 tax filing deadline nears, H&R Block is available to help taxpayers file accurate returns anyway or anywhere they choose."

H&R Block offers tax preparation in four primary ways: at a retail tax office, via Block Live(SM), using H&R Block At Home(TM) (software and online) and using mobile apps (for smartphones and the iPad).

Retail tax offices provide services to make last-minute filing go smoothly

Even with time running out, taxpayers can get their taxes conveniently prepared by an H&R Block tax professional and make the deadline. H&R Block's free drop off service lets clients bring their tax documents to an office and leave while their taxes are being prepared.

Using H&R Block's drop off document checklist can help clients ensure they take everything the tax professional will need to accurately prepare the return. One very important document to remember to take is the 2010 tax return because information on it is needed to file an accurate 2011 return. If that tax return was not prepared by H&R Block, taxpayers can get a free Second Look review to make sure it was prepared accurately. When the return is ready to be filed with the IRS, the client can sign the return online or come into the office.

Also, participating tax offices will have extended hours.

Block Live brings one-on-one tax preparation to clients

Block Live launched this year, which allows clients to have their tax returns prepared by an H&R Block tax professional in real time via integrated online video conference or chat. Block Live provides the convenience of tax preparation virtually anytime or anywhere with the expertise of highly skilled tax professionals. This service is ideal for taxpayers who have busy schedules that make it difficult to make time for a trip to the office, and for those who need to file their taxes from a remote location.

Taxpayers with a computer, a camera and microphone can interact in real time via video with their tax professional. Taxpayers also have the option of using the phone and real-time chat. The taxpayer also shares documents back and forth securely through the program with a tax professional to complete the return.

H&R Block At Home is a DIY option built for speed

When time is running out, taxpayers who want to prepare their own returns will be able to do so efficiently and accurately using H&R Block At Home(TM). Even if they used another DIY method last year, H&R Block At Home will import their information, which is a big timesaver that ensures accuracy.

H&R Block do-it-yourself tax preparation methods have the decades of the company's expertise built in; an interview sequence asks DIY filers questions about changes in their lives in the past year that could impact their tax outlook, further ensuring the users claim all the tax credits and deductions they are entitled. H&R Block At Home offers DIY taxpayers multiple online and software products based on tax complexity, including H&R Block At Home Premium & Business for business owners seeking a solution that allows individual and business tax returns to be prepared with the same product.

Apps make tax solutions easily accessible on the go

On the iPad tablet, filing the 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ forms is free all tax season. Taxpayers with smartphones can file both a simple federal form and state form completely free through April 17 using the industry's only fully free mobile tax filing products. Just download the free H&R Block At Home(TM) 1040EZ app on the iPhone and an Android smartphones for easy filing on the go.

Also, the new and improved H&R Block Mobile App features the ability to find an office, select a tax professional and schedule an appointment. Even non-H&R Block clients can track their refunds, access countless tax answers, estimate tax liability and receive tax tips year-round with this app. It's like having a tax office in their pocket.

"Even though the tax filing deadline is around the corner, it's never too late for taxpayers to use an H&R Block tax preparation method to file an accurate tax return," Smith said.

For more information about options for filing tax returns as the deadline nears, visit www.hrblock.com or call 800-HRBLOCK.

H&R Block provides guaranteed, income tax return preparation services through its company-owned and franchise offices, and the H&R Block At Home online and desktop solutions. For an online tutorial, join H&R Block's Get It Right Community tax forum, and visit its Twitter and Facebook pages.

About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) has prepared more than 575 million tax returns worldwide since 1955, making it the country's largest tax services provider. In fiscal 2011, H&R Block had annual revenues of $3 billion and prepared more than 24.5 million tax returns worldwide, including Canada and Australia. Tax return preparation services are provided in company-owned and franchise retail tax offices by approximately 100,000 professional tax preparers, and through H&R Block At Home(TM) digital products. The H&R Block Bank provides affordable banking products and services. For more information, visit the H&R Block Online Press Center.

Contact:

Gene King
816-854-4287

SOURCE: H & R Block

###

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus