Block (H.&R.), Inc. - HRB STOCK NEWS

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.375 per share, scheduled for payment on April 3, 2025, to shareholders of record as of March 4, 2025. The company has maintained an impressive track record of paying quarterly dividends consistently for over 60 years since going public in 1962. Since 2016, H&R Block has demonstrated strong shareholder value creation by increasing its dividend by 88% and returning more than $4.4 billion to shareholders through a combination of dividends and share repurchases.

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) reported fiscal 2025 second quarter results with total revenue of $179.1 million, flat compared to the prior year. The company posted a pretax loss of $312.3 million, increasing by $29.4 million from the previous year. Loss per share from continuing operations increased to $(1.79) from $(1.33).

During Q2, H&R Block repurchased 3.2 million shares for $190.5 million at an average price of $58.65 per share. The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2025 outlook, projecting revenue between $3.69 to $3.75 billion and EBITDA of $975 million to $1.02 billion. Adjusted diluted EPS is expected to range from $5.15 to $5.35, with an effective tax rate of approximately 13%.

H&R Block announces significant changes to Form 1099-K reporting requirements for tax year 2024. Payment platforms must now issue 1099-K forms to individuals receiving $5,000 or more in payments on any single platform, down from the previous threshold of $20,000 and 200 transactions. The IRS expects this change to impact approximately 20 million people over the next two years.

The new requirements particularly affect gig workers, freelancers, and casual sellers who must now track their income more carefully. While this means more complex tax filing, self-employed individuals can benefit from various business tax deductions, including expenses for materials, shipping, advertising, and platform fees.

H&R Block recommends creating separate business and personal profiles, maintaining detailed transaction records, tracking expenses, and considering professional tax assistance to ensure compliance and maximize deductions. The company offers support through Block Advisors' small business certified tax pros and their Resource Center.

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) has announced it will release its fiscal 2025 second quarter results on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, after the New York Stock Exchange market close. The company will hold a conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on the same day to discuss the quarterly results, outlook, and provide a general business update.

The conference call will be accessible to analysts, institutional investors, and shareholders through registration. A webcast will also be available in listen-only format for media and public, with replay access available for 90 days after the call.

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) announces key updates for the 2025 tax season, with e-file opening on January 27. The company highlights significant changes including the lowered 1099-K reporting threshold from $20,000 to $5,000, increased Child Tax Credit to $1,700, and new requirements for Clean Vehicle Tax Credits.

The company offers multiple filing options including assisted filing with 60,000 tax professionals across 9,000 offices, DIY online tools with AI Tax Assist, and downloadable software. New features include free Second Look® tax review for up to three years of prior returns, and a -time Price Match offer up to 50% off for new clients.

H&R Block's DIY options include free federal filing for simple returns, which served about 3.5 million clients in 2024. Premium services include unlimited expert help at no extra charge, with tax professionals available extended hours during tax season starting January 20.

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) has announced the return of its Refund Advance loan program for the 2025 tax season, offering qualifying taxpayers no-interest loans of up to $4,000 between January 3 and February 28, 2025. The loans, issued by Pathward®, N.A, are available in amounts of $250, $500, $750, $1,250, or $4,000, featuring no interest and no loan fees.

Key features include same-day fund availability, no credit score impact, high approval rates, and automatic repayment from tax refunds. Approved funds can be deposited into a Spruce account or loaded onto an Emerald Card®. The program is accessible through H&R Block's 60,000 tax professionals nationwide during virtual or in-office appointments.

H&R Block's 2024 Outlook on American Life report reveals a complex financial landscape where 66% of Americans feel optimistic about income growth and financial stability, while simultaneously facing significant debt challenges. The report highlights that nearly 1 in 2 Americans holds credit card debt, with Gen X carrying the highest burden at 55%, followed by Millennials (49%), Boomers (47%), and Gen Z (39%).

Despite financial pressures, holiday spending has increased, with higher-than-expected Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Notably, one-third of respondents reported spending more than they earned in the last 12 months, and 1 in 5 Americans couldn't cover household expenses for a week without income. The study also found that 1 in 6 Americans hold student debt, with over a third reporting unmanageable debt levels.

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) has promoted George Agurkis to Vice President of Government Relations. In his new role, Agurkis will lead the government relations team and oversee the company's legislative, regulatory, and policy initiatives across state, federal, and local levels.

During his three-year tenure at H&R Block, Agurkis has made significant contributions, particularly in advancing enhanced identity verification standards and real-time data sharing to combat fraud. Prior to joining H&R Block, he served as Senior Director of Advocacy at the Credit Union National Association and spent ten years with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Rules in various leadership positions.

H&R Block's 2024 Outlook on American Life report reveals positive economic trends across generations. Based on analysis of 11.4 million tax returns and surveys of 7,852 Americans, the report shows that 66% of Americans feel optimistic about their financial future. 71% of Gen Z, 62% of Millennials, 56% of Gen X, and 51% of Boomers are earning income above inflation rates. Gen Z experienced a notable 30% earnings increase in 2023. However, debt remains a significant concern, with up to two-thirds of credit card holders reporting unmanageable debt levels. The report also highlights increasing trends in DINK households and investment participation, with 32% of tax filers reporting investment income in 2023.