Retail giant Sears is partnering with H&R Block this tax season, offering free federal 1040EZ tax filing online and in stores through Feb. 29.

The two companies have created a Web page, www.Sears.com/hrblock, where consumers can prepare and file federal and state tax returns online. They can also visit H&R Block offices in more than 500 Sears stores nationwide to file their taxes.

Sears isn’t the only retail giant teaming up with Block this year. Earlier this month, Walmart announced that H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt would be operating kiosks at more than 3,000 of its stores (see Walmart Offers Free Federal 1040EZ Filing).

Sears said that do-it-yourself tax filers can prepare their taxes online through the site and receive 15 percent off the cost of Basic, Deluxe, and Premium online editions of H&R Block at Home.

H&R Block at Sears is also providing free federal 1040EZ tax filing online and in stores, through Feb. 29, for customers who qualify for the simple form. Online customers can import last year's tax data from rival tax prep packages TurboTax and TaxAct Online.

“Having the ability to provide our customers with the option to prepare and file their taxes online, or to visit an H&R Block office in our Sears stores, validates our commitment of being a fully integrated retailer,” David Schuvie, vice president of licensed business for Sears Holdings, said in a statement Monday.

Meanwhile, the retailer has been facing challenges of its own lately and announced late last month after a disappointing holiday shopping season that it would close up to 120 of its Sears and Kmart stores this year.