Hurricane Victims Facing Job Loss Have Opportunity To Learn New Skill; H&R Block to Waive Income Tax Course Tuition for Katrina Victims to Broaden Career Options and Teach Valuable Financial Skills

Business Wire, Oct 5, 2005

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- According to recent government reports, nearly 300,000 Gulf Coast residents have lost jobs in the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. As these individuals begin to rebuild their lives and consider new career options, H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) wants to help.

Participating offices of the nation's largest tax preparer are waiving the cost of tuition(1) for the company's basic Income Tax Course for individuals affected by Hurricane Katrina.

"Providing displaced workers an opportunity to broaden their job skills and open career doors they may not have considered is just one way we're reaching out to help," said Michael Miller, H&R Block regional director.

In addition, the company is refunding tuition fees for students who may have prepaid for courses that had to be cancelled in hurricane-damaged areas. The company is rescheduling and relocating courses to accommodate individuals who are now displaced in other communities.

The introductory course provides a foundation in tax preparation, covering topics such as choosing the right filing status, qualifying for credits and deductions and tax issues for the self-employed. The course also examines small business tax issues and reviews new tax law changes.

The course will also review special tax relief recently enacted to benefit victims of Katrina. Students who take the course will have a better understanding of how to claim these new tax benefits and may draw on their new skills to help neighbors and friends in the coming tax season.

"While the tax course is an essential training program for our base of tax professionals, students also acquire valuable financial skills they can apply to many different professions," adds Miller.

Becoming a tax professional may appeal to those who are experiencing a job transition or who desire a flexible work schedule. Tax professionals enjoy full- or part-time employment and come from various backgrounds. And, as the tax services industry continues to grow, so does the demand for skilled tax professionals. H&R Block is expanding its retail office network and plans to add an additional 38,000 tax preparers nationwide for the upcoming tax season.(2)

The Income Tax Course is offered every fall and includes 66 hours of instruction. Classes are offered at convenient times and locations to accommodate varying schedules, and are taught in both English and Spanish.

For more information on the H&R Block Income Tax Course or this special offer for victims of Hurricane Katrina, individuals may call 1-800-HRBLOCK.

About H&R Block

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2005, H&R Block is the world's largest tax services provider, having prepared more than 400 million tax returns since 1955. The sixth-largest retailer in the world, H&R Block has more than 12,000 locations serving taxpayers primarily in the United States, Canada and Australia. For more information about the company, visit H&R Block's online Press Center at www.hrblock.com.

(1) Fees for course materials may apply in some locations.

(2) Enrollment in, or completion of the Income Tax Course is neither an offer nor a guarantee of employment.