Block Intros Videoconference Tax Prep Service

H&R Block kicked off tax season Tuesday with a new service that allows its tax preparers and clients to meet in real-time via videoconference.

The new Block Live service matches an H&R Block tax professional and taxpayer over a proprietary video interface to enable face-to-face conversations via real-time chat, video and phone. The taxpayer and tax professional then can securely share documents through the program in order to complete the return.

The service is aimed at taxpayers who work from home, travel extensively, work remotely, serve in the military, or want the convenience of filing taxes from home with the help of a Block tax professional without visiting a Block office.

The company has also improved its H&R Block Mobile App, which is available for download from both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Android Market on Tuesday. The upgraded app offers the ability to find an H&R Block office, select a tax professional and schedule an appointment. Non-H&R Block clients can also use the app to track their refunds, access tax answers, estimate their tax liability, and receive tax tips year-round.