KANSAS CITY, MO--(Marketwired - November 10, 2015) - For more than 60 years H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) has been proud to meet the tax preparation and financial services needs of those who serve our nation in the armed services. Starting with the company's co-founder, Henry Bloch, who was a 1st lieutenant and navigator in the Army Air Forces during World War II, the company has honored our military members and their families.
With so many financial and lifestyle circumstances impacting their lives that civilians rarely encounter, taxes can be a daunting task for service members. H&R Block not only is an expert at preparing tax returns for service members, but also provides support that positively impacts them and their families.
"H&R Block is committed to providing all of it clients the best tax services available, and the extra support we provide to service members and their families is in gratitude to the service they provide our country," said Thomas Collins, director of corporate communications at H&R Block and a retired Army colonel. "With one in four service members trusting H&R Block to handle their taxes, we're experts in serving them whether they're stationed stateside or anywhere else around the world."
H&R Block operates 12,000 offices around the world and nearly 100 are on military installations with more being added. H&R Block clients can be assured their tax returns are available anywhere in the world; if they get sent back to the states, deployed to another international posting or they leave the service, their documents and records are available globally.
Pledge to support demonstrated by actions that enhance quality of life
Last year, H&R Block provided full scholarships totaling $542,000 for over 1,500 Wounded Warriors and military spouses to take the Income Tax Course. After successfully completing this course, the graduates are eligible to pursue careers as H&R Block tax professionals, which can move with them when they relocate with their service member spouse -- even around the world. H&R Block has invested over $1.5 million in this program in the last four years. These are among H&R Block's other military-focused initiatives:
- H&R Block's partnership with Military OneSource provided 180,000 military members free do-it-yourself tax preparation.
- H&R Block contributed $1.7 million in 2015 to Morale, Welfare, Recreation programs through the exchange commission program.
- H&R Block offers a 10-percent discount program on military installations, saving service members more than $1 million in 2015 in tax preparation fees.
"The military has several unique tax treatments to be aware of. Knowing whether you are entitled to a filing extension, knowing how to file for multiple state returns and how your spouse's income may be impacted based on the state of employment, as well as state of residency, are all areas requiring specific expertise and experience and H&R Block tax professionals have that expertise. H&R Block offers a free Second Look Review to new clients for up to three previous tax seasons to make sure they didn't overpay their taxes and got every dollar back they are entitled to," Collins said.
Many H&R Block tax professionals are specifically trained and educated to assist military families with preparing their tax returns. For more information about military-specific tax concerns, visit us online or call 800-HRBLOCK to find a nearby tax professional.
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world's largest consumer tax services provider. More than 680 million tax returns have been prepared worldwide by and through H&R Block since 1955. In fiscal 2015, H&R Block had annual revenues of nearly $3.1 billion with 24.2 million tax returns prepared worldwide. 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. H&R Block also offers adjacent Tax Plus products and services. For more information, visit the H&R Block Newsroom at http://newsroom.hrblock.com/.