More than 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide are now offering free preparation of simple tax forms. The nation’s largest retailer has contracted with H&R Block and Jackson-Hewitt to set up kiosks inside its stores where customers can have their tax returns completed by trained preparers. As it is doing in its own retail locations nationwide, H&R Block will offer free preparation of 1040EZ forms at Walmart through February 29th. Block will have kiosks in about 250 Walmart stores. Jackson-Hewitt will provide free prep throughout the tax season at about 2,800 Walmarts, up from 2,000 last year. A spokesman said some of its retail outlets may also offer free 1040EZ prep, but doing so is not companywide policy. About 39% of the total 133 million individual returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service last year were submitted before the end of February. Early filers usually expect a refund. The average refund last year was $2,805, down 2.6% from $2,880 in 2010. Customers who have their taxes prepared at Walmart will have the usual options for receiving a refund, either direct deposit into a bank account or to a prepaid card, or a mailed check.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Free Tax Preparation
More than 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide are now offering free preparation of simple tax forms. The nation’s largest retailer has contracted with H&R Block and Jackson-Hewitt to set up kiosks inside its stores where customers can have their tax returns completed by trained preparers. As it is doing in its own retail locations nationwide, H&R Block will offer free preparation of 1040EZ forms at Walmart through February 29th. Block will have kiosks in about 250 Walmart stores. Jackson-Hewitt will provide free prep throughout the tax season at about 2,800 Walmarts, up from 2,000 last year. A spokesman said some of its retail outlets may also offer free 1040EZ prep, but doing so is not companywide policy. About 39% of the total 133 million individual returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service last year were submitted before the end of February. Early filers usually expect a refund. The average refund last year was $2,805, down 2.6% from $2,880 in 2010. Customers who have their taxes prepared at Walmart will have the usual options for receiving a refund, either direct deposit into a bank account or to a prepaid card, or a mailed check.
