H&R Block e-filings down, but gains market share

H&R Block said that its e-filings were down for tax season, but that it still gained in market share.

The tax prep giant reported that its seasonal e-filing volume was down 0.1 percent through April 21, compared with an IRS-reported overall decline of 0.3 percent.

The H&R Block, Inc. logo is displayed in front of the company's flagship office in New York, U.S., on Friday, March 3, 2012. H&R Block, Inc. provides tax services to the general public, accounting and consulting services, and consumer financial and personal productivity software. Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg
An H&R Block location in New York City

The company said that its overall market share gain during the tax season was the result of improved performance compared to the prior year in both the assisted and DIY categories. Overall return volume was impacted by the decline in industry-wide filings.

In the assisted tax prep category, H&R Block reported much better performance than last tax season, with a decline in e-files of 1.6 percent, compared to the IRS-reported decline of 0.7 percent through April 21. In the DIY category, Block e-filings increased 2.3 percent through April 21, compared to the IRS-reported increase of 0.2 percent.

Block filed 19.4 million returns in the U.S. for fiscal year 2017 through April 19, with assisted returns declining 2.5 percent to 11.8 million, and DIY online returns increasing 6.8 percent to 5 million.

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E-filing Tax preparation Tax season Tax franchises H&R Block
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