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Did you get your $25 gift card from H&R Block yet?

April 28, 2013

One of the biggest frustrations this tax filing season was the processing delay of around 600,000 returns because of improperly completed education tax
credit claims on Form 8863.

Although the Internal Revenue Service didn't provide any details on where the returns in question came from, many of the problematic forms were prepared by H&R
Block.

The Kansas City-based tax preparer didn't get specific either, but it acknowledged the error in its blog. Bill Cobb, the company's CEO and president, soon thereafter issued an online apology to customers.


H-R-Block_Emerald_MasterCardNow the tax preparation giant is saying it's sorry with cash. OK, with plastic. Close enough.

Last week, Block sent affected customers facing delayed tax refunds a $25 prepaid debit card. According to the company's statement:

"H&R Block appreciates that the issue involving the filing of Form
8863 this past tax season may have frustrated and inconvenienced
impacted clients.

H&R
Block recently sent those clients who had their tax returns prepared
and filed in company-owned locations its sincerest apologies and a $25
Emerald Card gift card to account for any processing delay and express
thanks for their patience in this matter."

The statement reiterated the company's position that the refund problems are from processing the forms, not from any actions by Block personnel.


In addition to being a financial mea culpa, the gift card amount is also this week's By the Numbers figure.

Some still unhappy: Based on comments posted at the Facebook page started by frustrated H&R Block customers, as well as at Block's page, some customers have received the gift cards.

But not all are mollified: "H&R Block is giving a $25 gift card for people that are affected by
the screw up. Wow $25. I paid $350 for them to file my taxes."

The company also is still facing lawsuits in connection with the filing snafu. In addition to seeking refunded filing fees, the plaintiffs also want compensation for
their losses incurred because they had to wait for their federal tax refunds.

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The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic. 

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TAX-SAVVY WAYS 
TO WRAP UP 2026

It’s over! With October’s extended filing deadline behind us, it is now time to focus on year-end moves to reduce your 2026 tax bill. 

You’ll find ways to do just that on the Tax Tips page (see the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of the blog), as well as the separate tax tip pages for each month, notably October through December. If you’re on the Tax Tips page, you’ll find a monthly list at the end of this column. If you’re on another blog page, you can head straight to the October tips; at the bottom of that tips page you’ll find links to all the other 11 months’ collections of tax advice.

Not to spoil what you’ll find in that tax advice, but it does cover such things as tax deductions for charitable donations, investment moves that could reduce tax due, and ways to max out your tax-favored retirement savings. 

Finally, as the year winds down, things get hectic. There are lots of other things to occupy our time, like the much more fun upcoming holidays. But don’t lose sight of taxes, since timing is key. To be of use, most tax moves must be made by the end of the tax year. That’s Thursday, Dec. 31, which also is the last business day of the year. 

So that you don’t miss that final tax year deadline, also keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will keep you on top of just how much time is left to make important, tax-saving moves. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

Credits/Deductions
Disasters
Family
Filing and Paying Taxes
Politics/Laws
Refunds
State Taxes
Tax Brackets/Inflation
Tax Tips
Comments
  • Katie C.
    14 years ago Reply

    We haven’t received any kind of compensation from H&R Block for the delay in our tax refund. But even if we do… We won’t be using them ever again.

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