AG settles with tax firm; hundreds due refunds

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph A. Foster announces today that his Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau has entered into an Assurance of Discontinuance with HRB Tax Group, Inc., doing business in New Hampshire as H&R Block.

The assurance resolves allegations that H&R Block violated the State's Consumer Protection Act by erroneously charging consumers for the preparation of a New Hampshire business and profits tax return, when, in fact, no such return was warranted or filed on behalf of those consumers.

Under the terms of the Assurance, H&R Block was required to refund 656 New Hampshire consumers a total $33,587.30. H&R Block agreed to issue a full refund, with interest, by July 15 to all 656 consumers.

In addition, H&R Block must develop and implement improved protocols and quality control systems designed to prevent this sort of

erroneous charge in the future. It must also develop and implement improved training for New Hampshire tax return preparers who have direct contact with New Hampshire consumers on the need to verify the appropriate use, and billing, for New Hampshire business tax returns.

H&R Block has also provided a toll-free number for any New Hampshire consumer who questions whether he or she might be due a refund under this Assurance.

That toll free number is 1-855-210-7145.

The Assurance requires H&R Block to pay a sum of $5,000 in lieu of a civil penalty and to reimburse the State for the cost of the investigation.

H&R Block cooperated fully with the Attorney General's investigation