Talk:H&R Block

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Request to update Business areas[edit]

Hi there! On behalf of H&R Block (via their PR agency, Ketchum, as part of my work at Beutler Ink), I'm back with another request. This article is tagged as reading like an advertisement, so I am preparing drafts of sections to bring them up-to-date, add proper citations, and remove unnecessary detail. I'll start with Business areas: the live section is very outdated as Retail tax services relies on info that is 11 years old, Digital tax service is entirely unsourced, and H&R Block Bank is misleading, as this is a former business area of H&R Block. I should also mention that the existing Block Advisors section is unnecessary, as detail on that business area belongs in Business areas.

You can find my draft below, along with the markup, and references. This is intended to replace the existing Business areas and Block Advisors sections. The updates that I am proposing are:

  • Combining Retail tax services and Digital tax services into one subsection called Retail and digital tax services
    • This includes up-to-date figures for the number of tax pros, retail locations, and tax returns filed in 2016
    • Updating information on H&R Block's digital tax service offerings, and citations
  • Making Block Advisors a subsection of Business areas, included a sentence about certifications of its advisors, and a citation
  • Adding a Partnerships subsection that includes recent business partnerships with Walmart, Amazon.com, IBM Watson, and Lending Tree, in addition to citations for each
  • Adding a subsection called Other products and services to include H&R Block's Expat Tax Services and other financial services
  • Moving the info on H&R Block Bank to a new subsection called Former business areas. I also changed the verb tense to past tense and deleted outdated information since this is no longer a business area of H&R Block
Proposed updated Business areas
Business areas
Retail and digital tax services

H&R Block has 70,000 tax pros[1] in its 10,000 U.S. retail tax offices.[2] In addition to the company's traditional retail tax offices, it offers digital tax preparation programs and software. It filed 23 million tax returns worldwide in 2016.[3][4]

The company's services Tax Pro Review and Tax Pro Go were launched in 2017.[5] Tax Pro Review is an updated version of its former service Best of Both, where clients enter their information and do their returns online and are matched with Block tax professional reviews for help.[5] H&R Block Tax Pro Go is marketed to online filers who do not want to or cannot visit an H&R Block office.[6]

H&R Block's tax software comes in different versions. In addition to the free edition, there are Deluxe, Premium and Self-Employed editions. Users can log on using various devices, import photos of their W-2 forms and use a searchable knowledge base. The Deluxe and Premium editions include free online chat with a tax professional.[7]

H&R Block Tax Service - Mar 2013
Block Advisors

In January 2016, H&R Block launched Block Advisors, a service that provides year-round consumer tax preparation.[8] The company has opened about 350 Block Advisor offices.[9] Its advisors include certified public accountants, enrolled agents, or have been certified by H&R Block as master tax advisors.[10]

Partnerships

The company signed a deal with Walmart in 2018, to make H&R Block software the only desktop tax preparation software sold at the retailer's stores.[11] H&R Block also created a deal with Amazon.com in 2017 for better product placement of its suite of software products.[12]

In 2017, H&R Block partnered with IBM to bring IBM Watson technology into its retail offices. Under the partnership, H&R Block tax pros received access to IBM's artificial intelligence system to help tax pros prepare better tax returns for clients.[13][14]

In 2018, H&R Block partnered with LendingTree to allow customers credit score access via MyBlock.[15][16]

Other products and services

Following research on the potential expat market in 2013, H&R Block began its Expat Tax Services program to offer tax advice to U.S. citizens living outside the country.[17]

H&R Block maintains financial services products, including the Emerald Card pre-paid debit card[18] and Emerald Advance line of credit.[19] Additionally, the company's Tax Identity Shield offers identity theft protection.[20]

H&R Block office, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Former business areas
The H&R Block Bank was chartered in 2006 and offered low-cost services to its low- to moderate-income customers. In September 2015, H&R Block sold H&R Block Bank to BofI Holding Inc.[21] The two companies reached an agreement for BofI to serve as the bank for H&R Block-branded financial services products including the Emerald MasterCard, Refund Anticipation Checks, and Emerald Advance lines of credit.[22]
Markup

==Business areas==
===Retail and digital tax services===
H&R Block has 70,000 tax pros<ref name="DePillis17">{{cite news |title=Trump's tax plan isn't as big of a threat to H&R Block as he says |last1=DePillis |first1=Lydia |url=http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/19/pf/taxes/trump-tax-plan-and-tax-preparers/index.html |newspaper=[[CNNMoney]] |date=19 October 2017 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref> in its 10,000 U.S. retail tax offices.<ref>[https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/h-r-block-opens-tax-preparation-offices-early ''H&R Block opens offices early'', Accounting Today, 2 January 2018]</ref> In addition to the company's traditional retail tax offices, it offers [[Digital data|digital]] tax preparation programs and software. It filed 23 million tax returns worldwide in 2016.<ref name="Schaust17">{{cite news |title=Target’s Former Chief Marketing Officer to Become CEO of H&R Block |last1=Schaust |first1=Sam |url=http://tcbmag.com/news/articles/2017/august/target-s-former-chief-marketing-officer-to-become |newspaper=Twin Cities Business Magazine |date=22 August 2017 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Steverman17">{{cite news |title=Who Won the Battle for Cheapest Tax Prep in 2017? |last1=Steverman |first1=Ben |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-24/cheapest-free-tax-prep-in-2017-h-r-block-turbotax-taxact |newspaper=[[Bloomberg LP]] |date=24 January 2017 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref>

The company's services Tax Pro Review and Tax Pro Go were launched in 2017.<ref name="Cohn17">{{cite news |title=H&R Block plans new tax pro services |last1=Cohn |first1=Michael |url=https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/h-r-block-plans-new-tax-pro-services |newspaper=Accounting Today |date=8 December 2017 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref> Tax Pro Review is an updated version of its former service Best of Both, where clients enter their information and do their returns online and are matched with Block tax professional reviews for help.<ref name="Cohn17"/> H&R Block Tax Pro Go is marketed to online filers who do not want to or cannot visit an H&R Block office.<ref name="Davis6Dec17">{{cite news |title=H&R Block targets customer gains over price increases for upcoming tax season |last1=Davis |first1=Mark |url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/business/personal-finance/article188302149.html |newspaper=[[Kansas City Star]] |date=6 December 2017 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref>

H&R Block's tax software comes in different versions. In addition to the free edition, there are Deluxe, Premium and Self-Employed editions. Users can log on using various devices, import photos of their W-2 forms and use a searchable knowledge base. The Deluxe and Premium editions include free online chat with a tax professional.<ref name="Orem18">{{cite web |url=https:// www.nerdwallet.com/blog/taxes/hr-block-review/ |title=H&R Block Tax Software Review 2017 |author=Tina Orem |date=26 January 2018 |publisher=[[NerdWallet]] |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref>

[[File:H&R Block Tax Service - Mar 2013.jpg|thumb|180px|H&R Block Tax Service - Mar 2013]]

===Block Advisors===
In January 2016, H&R Block launched Block Advisors, a service that provides year-round consumer tax preparation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cpbj.com/article/20160115/FACEFORWARD13/160119849/tax-season-opens-with-a-new-player |title=Tax season opens with a 'new' player|last=Berg|first=Joel|date=15 January 2016|publisher=[[Central Penn Business Journal]]|accessdate=27 February 2016}}</ref> The company has opened about 350 Block Advisor offices.<ref name="O'Bannon17">{{cite web |url=http://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/news/12297004/in-2nd-year-block-advisors-has-347-tax-and-accounting-offices-partnership-with-xero |title=In 2nd Year, Block Advisors Has 347 Tax and Accounting Offices, Partnership with Xero |author=Isaac M. O'Bannon |date=19 January 2017 |publisher=CPA Practice Today |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref> Its advisors include [[certified public accountants]], enrolled agents, or have been certified by H&R Block as master tax advisors.<ref name="Greenberg16">{{cite news |title=H&R Block's ambitious plans for new advisors brand |last1=Greenberg |first1=Gregg |url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/13460503/1/h-amp-r-block-rsquo-s-ambitious-plans-for-new-advisors-brand.html |newspaper=[[The Street]] |date=16 February 2016 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref>

===Partnerships===
The company signed a deal with [[Walmart]] in 2018, to make H&R Block software the only desktop tax preparation software sold at the retailer's stores.<ref name="Franck18">{{cite news |title=Shares of H&R Block jump after it announces an exclusive partnership with Walmart |last1=Franck |first1=Thomas |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/16/hr-block-shares-jump-after-announcing-exclusive-partnership-with-walmart.html |newspaper=[[CNBC]] |date=16 January 2018 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref> H&R Block also created a deal with [[Amazon.com]] in 2017 for better product placement of its suite of software products.<ref name="Dornbrook6Dec17">{{cite news |title=H&R Block brings on Amazon, Wal-Mart as retail partners for tax season |last1=Dornbrook |first1=James |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2017/12/06/hr-block-amazon-walmart-retail-partners-tax-season.html |newspaper=[[American City Business Journals|Kansas City Business Journal]] |date=6 December 2017 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref>

In 2017, H&R Block partnered with IBM to bring [[IBM Watson]] technology into its retail offices. Under the partnership, H&R Block tax pros received access to IBM's [[artificial intelligence]] system to help tax pros prepare better tax returns for clients.<ref name="Lohr17">{{cite news |title=IBM gives Watson a new challenge: Your tax return |last1=Lohr |first1=Steve |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/technology/ibm-watson-tax-return.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=1 February 2017 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Vanian17">{{cite news |title=H&R Block Is Enlisting IBM's Watson To Help With Your Taxes |last1=Vanian |first1=Jonathan |url=http://fortune.com/2017/02/01/hr-block-ibm-watson-taxes/ |newspaper=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |date=1 February 2017 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref>

In 2018, H&R Block partnered with [[LendingTree]] to allow customers credit score access via MyBlock.<ref name="Stimpson18">{{cite news |title=Block to offer clients credit scores and analysis |last1=Stimpson |first1=Jeff |url=https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/h-r-block-to-offer-clients-credit-scores-and-analysis |newspaper=[[Accounting Today]] |date=13 March 2018 |accessdate=22 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="BankingExchange18">{{cite news |title=Block grows portal with LendingTree features |url=http://www.bankingexchange.com/news-feed/item/7422-block-grows-portal-with-lendingtree-features?Itemid=259 |newspaper=Banking Exchange |date=13 March 2018 |accessdate=22 March 2018}}</ref>

===Other products and services===
Following research on the potential expat market in 2013, H&R Block began its Expat Tax Services program to offer tax advice to U.S. citizens living outside the country.<ref name="Burggraf15">{{cite news |title=On the Trail of the Elusive U.S. Expat Taxpayer |last1=Burggraf |first1=Helen |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/expat/2015/04/01/on-the-trail-of-the-elusive-u-s-expat-taxpayer/ |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=1 April 2015 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref>

H&R Block maintains financial services products, including the Emerald Card pre-paid debit card<ref name="Dornbrook28Jan14">{{cite news |title=H&R Block partnership expands Emerald Card network |last1=Dornbrook14 |first1=James |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2014/01/28/hr-block-finds-emerald-card-partner.html |newspaper=[[American City Business Journals|Kansas City Business Journal]] |date=28 January 2014 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref> and Emerald Advance line of credit.<ref name="Dornbrook16Nov16">{{cite news |title=H&R Block: Government will delay refunds for millions |last1=Dornbrook |first1=James |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2016/11/16/h-r-block-government-will-delay-refunds-for.html |newspaper=[[American City Business Journals|Kansas City Business Journal]] |date=16 November 2016 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref> Additionally, the company's Tax Identity Shield offers identity theft protection.<ref name="Tompor11Feb16">{{cite news |title=Don't give fraudsters a hand filing a fake tax return |last1=Tompor |first1=Susan |url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/personal-finance/susan-tompor/2016/02/11/id-theft-tax-season-tips/79873570/ |newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=11 February 2016 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref>

[[File:H & R Block office.JPG|thumb|180px|right|H&R Block office, [[Ypsilanti, Michigan]]]]

====Former business areas====

The H&R Block Bank was chartered in 2006 and offered low-cost services to its low- to moderate-income customers. In September 2015, H&R Block sold H&R Block Bank to [[BofI Holding Inc]].<ref name="Davis15">{{cite news |title=H&R Block sheds bank and unveils $3.5 billion stock buyback plan |last1=Davis |first1=Mark |url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/business/article33217734.html |newspaper=[[Kansas City Star]] |date=1 September 2015 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref> The two companies reached an agreement for BofI to serve as the bank for H&R Block-branded financial services products including the Emerald MasterCard, Refund Anticipation Checks, and Emerald Advance lines of credit.<ref name="Dornbrook5Aug15">{{cite news |title=After long delay, regulators approve H&R Block Bank sale |last1=Dornbrook |first1=James |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2015/08/05/h-r-block-bank-sale-approval.html |newspaper=[[American City Business Journals|Kansas City Business Journal]] |date=5 August 2015 |accessdate=26 February 2018}}</ref>
References

References

  1. ^ DePillis, Lydia (19 October 2017). "Trump's tax plan isn't as big of a threat to H&R Block as he says". CNNMoney. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  2. ^ H&R Block opens offices early, Accounting Today, 2 January 2018
  3. ^ Schaust, Sam (22 August 2017). "Target's Former Chief Marketing Officer to Become CEO of H&R Block". Twin Cities Business Magazine. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  4. ^ Steverman, Ben (24 January 2017). "Who Won the Battle for Cheapest Tax Prep in 2017?". Bloomberg LP. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  5. ^ a b Cohn, Michael (8 December 2017). "H&R Block plans new tax pro services". Accounting Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  6. ^ Davis, Mark (6 December 2017). "H&R Block targets customer gains over price increases for upcoming tax season". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  7. ^ Tina Orem (26 January 2018). [https:// www.nerdwallet.com/blog/taxes/hr-block-review/ "H&R Block Tax Software Review 2017"]. NerdWallet. Retrieved 26 February 2018. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  8. ^ Berg, Joel (15 January 2016). "Tax season opens with a 'new' player". Central Penn Business Journal. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  9. ^ Isaac M. O'Bannon (19 January 2017). "In 2nd Year, Block Advisors Has 347 Tax and Accounting Offices, Partnership with Xero". CPA Practice Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  10. ^ Greenberg, Gregg (16 February 2016). "H&R Block's ambitious plans for new advisors brand". The Street. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  11. ^ Franck, Thomas (16 January 2018). "Shares of H&R Block jump after it announces an exclusive partnership with Walmart". CNBC. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  12. ^ Dornbrook, James (6 December 2017). "H&R Block brings on Amazon, Wal-Mart as retail partners for tax season". Kansas City Business Journal. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  13. ^ Lohr, Steve (1 February 2017). "IBM gives Watson a new challenge: Your tax return". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  14. ^ Vanian, Jonathan (1 February 2017). "H&R Block Is Enlisting IBM's Watson To Help With Your Taxes". Fortune. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  15. ^ Stimpson, Jeff (13 March 2018). "Block to offer clients credit scores and analysis". Accounting Today. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Block grows portal with LendingTree features". Banking Exchange. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  17. ^ Burggraf, Helen (1 April 2015). "On the Trail of the Elusive U.S. Expat Taxpayer". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  18. ^ Dornbrook14, James (28 January 2014). "H&R Block partnership expands Emerald Card network". Kansas City Business Journal. Retrieved 26 February 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Dornbrook, James (16 November 2016). "H&R Block: Government will delay refunds for millions". Kansas City Business Journal. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  20. ^ Tompor, Susan (11 February 2016). "Don't give fraudsters a hand filing a fake tax return". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  21. ^ Davis, Mark (1 September 2015). "H&R Block sheds bank and unveils $3.5 billion stock buyback plan". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  22. ^ Dornbrook, James (5 August 2015). "After long delay, regulators approve H&R Block Bank sale". Kansas City Business Journal. Retrieved 26 February 2018.

Since I do have a financial conflict of interest, I won't edit the article myself and am looking for an uninvolved editors to review and make changes as appropriate. Whoisjohngalt: Would you like to review this request as well? Thanks in advance! 16912 Rhiannon (Talk · COI) 13:44, 18 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you so much to Whoisjohngalt for reviewing and making these edits, the close review is much appreciated. 16912 Rhiannon (Talk · COI) 16:33, 23 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]
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