BusinessPostCorner.com
No Result
View All Result
Friday, July 4, 2025
  • Home
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Tax
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Crypto News
  • Human Resources
BusinessPostCorner.com
  • Home
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Tax
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Crypto News
  • Human Resources
No Result
View All Result
BusinessPostCorner.com
No Result
View All Result

FTC hits H&R Block over ‘free’ online filing claims

February 26, 2024
in Accounting
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
0
FTC hits H&R Block over ‘free’ online filing claims
ShareShareShareShareShare

The Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against tax prep giant H&R Block accusing the company of deceptively marketing “free” online tax filing when its products often were not free and deleting consumers’ data when they tried to downgrade to less expensive products.

The FTC claimed Friday that H&R Block’s online tax filing products led consumers into higher-priced products designed for more complicated tax filings, even though many taxpayers didn’t need the extra tax forms and schedules offered by those products. 

It alleged Block failed to clearly explain which of its products cover what forms, schedules or tax situations, so customers would begin preparing their tax returns in products that were more expensive than they needed. When users later realized they didn’t need or want those more expensive products, however, H&R Block presented them with a series of time-consuming challenges when they tried to downgrade after already spending substantial time entering their tax information. When consumers tried to downgrade, H&R Block required them to contact its customer support team via chat or phone. Then, its system would delete all the tax data the consumers had entered, requiring them to start their tax return from the beginning, creating a significant disincentive to downgrading. In contrast, with the upgrade process, consumers’ data would seamlessly move to the more expensive product instantly. 

H&R Block outlet in New York

Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

The complaint alleged that while consumers could upgrade without contacting H&R Block customer service, the opposite was true for the downgrade process. Since at least 2014, customers who tried to downgrade have needed to reach out to the company to ask for a downgrade — a process that has often been frustrating and time-consuming.

In addition to Block’s practices regarding downgrades, the complaint also alleged the company has engaged in deceptive advertising for years, marketing its online tax preparation services as “free” when many consumers aren’t eligible to use the company’s free products. 

H&R Block disputed the FTC’s claims. “We believe we provide our clients with a great deal of value, unmatched tax expertise, and fair and transparent pricing,” said Dara Redler, chief legal officer at H&R Block, in a statement emailed to Accounting Today. “We are confident in the value our services and offerings provide to our clients who have trusted H&R Block for nearly 70 years. H&R Block has offered a free DIY filing option for more than 20 years to help millions of Americans file their taxes. The multitude of resources we offer to all filers via educational resources, free tools, and calculators, and The Tax Institute demonstrates our commitment to making filing your taxes more accessible and more transparent for all. Further, H&R Block allows consumers to downgrade to a less-expensive DIY Product via multiple mechanisms while ensuring the preparation of accurate tax returns.”

Credit: Source link

ShareTweetSendPinShare
Previous Post

How HR can cultivate change skills in employees

Next Post

Ikea looks to malls as it eyes expansion

Next Post
Ikea looks to malls as it eyes expansion

Ikea looks to malls as it eyes expansion

Bitcoin Price Prediction – Billions in Retirement Funds Could Pour Into BTC as Pension Firms Rush to Add Exposure

Bitcoin Price Prediction – Billions in Retirement Funds Could Pour Into BTC as Pension Firms Rush to Add Exposure

July 3, 2025
Robinhood Launches Stock Tokens and L2 Blockchain To Expand Crypto Offerings in EU and US

Robinhood Launches Stock Tokens and L2 Blockchain To Expand Crypto Offerings in EU and US

June 30, 2025
North Korean operative reveals the inner workings of the IT scam

North Korean operative reveals the inner workings of the IT scam

July 2, 2025
China left off toughest tier of UK regime tracking ‘covert foreign influence’

China left off toughest tier of UK regime tracking ‘covert foreign influence’

June 30, 2025
Bitcoin Price Prediction: As Nasdaq, S&P 500 Hit Highs – Is BTC’s 3.8% Weekly Gain a Signal for 2,000?

Bitcoin Price Prediction: As Nasdaq, S&P 500 Hit Highs – Is BTC’s 3.8% Weekly Gain a Signal for $112,000?

June 28, 2025
Donald Trump says he will only pick Fed chair who cuts interest rates

Donald Trump says he will only pick Fed chair who cuts interest rates

June 27, 2025
BusinessPostCorner.com

BusinessPostCorner.com is an online news portal that aims to share the latest news about following topics: Accounting, Tax, Business, Finance, Crypto, Management, Human resources and Marketing. Feel free to get in touch with us!

Recent News

Thinking about buying an EV? Most are set to become ,500 more expensive overnight come October

Thinking about buying an EV? Most are set to become $7,500 more expensive overnight come October

July 4, 2025
FTX Seeks Court Approval for Restricted Jurisdiction Claims as 82% of Value Comes from Chinese Users

FTX Seeks Court Approval for Restricted Jurisdiction Claims as 82% of Value Comes from Chinese Users

July 4, 2025

Our Newsletter!

Loading
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • DMCA

© 2023 businesspostcorner.com - All Rights Reserved!

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Tax
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Crypto News
  • Human Resources

© 2023 businesspostcorner.com - All Rights Reserved!