Publications
Publications
- January 2007 (Revised October 2008)
- HBS Case Collection
H&R Block 2006
By: Peter Tufano
Abstract
Mark Ernst, the Chairman, CEO and President of H&R Block, has to decide how to respond to a competitive threat posed by a competitor's refund-lending product. Block is the largest U.S. tax preparation firm, which competes not only on its tax preparation services, but also through the provision of related financial services. A rival offers a pre-season refund-lending product that has drawn away Block customers. Ernst feels that the product as structured is not good for Block, its customers, or the industry. As an added complication, Block is facing an imminent suit brought by Eliot Spitzer about one of its saving products.
Keywords
Ethics; Financing and Loans; Personal Finance; Taxation; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Competition; Financial Services Industry
Citation
Tufano, Peter, Arijit Roy, and Emily McClintock. "H&R Block 2006." Harvard Business School Case 307-091, January 2007. (Revised October 2008.)