The IRS said 10%, or more than 600,000, of the 6.6 million returns claiming education credits it has received so far this tax season were improperly filed by tax software providers. As a result, those refunds could be delayed for as long as six weeks.
H&R block is at it again, dumping accounting consultancy RSM McGladrey in a continuing pattern of erratic acquisitions and sales. True, the tax preparer is well-positioned in software and online filing, and currently offers good value. But if you want growth, you'd do better to buy its more nimble competitor, Intuit.
H&R Block has been a laggard in its online efforts, while competitor Intuit's TurboTax keeps gaining market share. To start remedying the situation, H&R Block this week agreed to pay $287.5 million for 2SS Holdings, which develops the desktop and online tax-prep software TaxACT.
Investors reacted swiftly and negatively after the tax preparer announced that Russ Smyth was leaving. Alan Bennett, the former interim CEO, is coming back to the position permanently. Still, news clearly unsettled investors.
