AI Assists with Tax Returns, but Accuracy Isn't Guaranteed.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 5d ago
0mins
Should l Buy HRB?
Source: Barron's
- AI in Tax Preparation: Artificial intelligence has the potential to significantly reduce the time and effort required for preparing tax returns in 2025.
- Efficiency Gains: The use of AI tools could streamline the tax filing process, making it less tedious for individuals and businesses alike.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy HRB?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on HRB
Wall Street analysts forecast HRB stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for HRB is 62.00 USD with a low forecast of 62.00 USD and a high forecast of 62.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
2 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 34.560
Low
62.00
Averages
62.00
High
62.00
Current: 34.560
Low
62.00
Averages
62.00
High
62.00
About HRB
H&R Block, Inc. is engaged in providing tax preparation services, financial products, and small business solutions. The Company provides assisted and do-it-yourself (DIY) tax preparation solutions through multiple channels (including in-person, online and mobile applications, virtual, and desktop software) and distributes H&R Block-branded services and products. It also offers small business solutions through its Company-owned and franchise offices (including in-person, online and virtual) and online through Wave. The Company provides additional services, including Refund Transfers (RT), Peace of Mind Extended Service Plan (POM), H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard (Emerald Card), Spruce, H&R Block Emerald Advance (EA) term loans, Tax Identity Shield (TIS), Refund Advances (RA), and small business financial solutions. For its Canadian clients, the Company also offers POM, H&R Block's Instant Refund, H&R Block Pay With Refund, and small business financial solutions.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
H&R Block Q2 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Leadership Transition: In his first quarter as CEO, Curtis Campbell emphasized a pivotal moment for H&R Block, focusing on a client-centric strategy and renewed attention to core tax season execution, aiming to drive long-term transformation and enhance customer experience.
- Financial Performance: H&R Block reported Q2 revenue of $199 million, an 11% year-over-year increase primarily driven by higher Assisted tax prep volume and improved DIY software sales, although the EBITDA loss of $266 million indicates challenges in cost optimization efforts.
- Outlook Reaffirmation: The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 guidance, projecting revenue between $3.875 billion and $3.895 billion and EBITDA between $1.015 billion and $1.035 billion, reflecting confidence for the upcoming tax season despite risks of industry growth slowdown.
- Technology Investment: H&R Block is increasing investments in AI tools, planning to embed AI into workflows and pilot automation for back-office functions to reduce manual effort and enhance the quality and efficiency of client interactions.
See More
H&R Block Q2 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Report: H&R Block reported a Q2 net loss of -$1.84, which, despite widening from -$1.73 year-over-year, was better than the expected -$1.89, indicating resilience amid challenges.
- Revenue Growth: Q2 revenue reached $198.9 million, surpassing Wall Street's $187.4 million estimate and up from $179.1 million a year ago, primarily driven by increased volume and average charges in assisted services.
- Guidance Reaffirmation: The company reaffirmed its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $4.85-$5.00 and revenue expectations of $3.875 billion-$3.895 billion, both exceeding analyst averages, reflecting management's confidence in future performance.
- Rising Operating Costs: Total operating expenses rose to $497.7 million in Q2 from $472.4 million a year prior, reflecting higher field wages due to increased assisted revenue and rising consulting costs.
See More
H&R Block Q2 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Highlights: H&R Block reported a Q2 Non-GAAP EPS of -$1.84, beating expectations by $0.05, indicating resilience despite ongoing losses.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenue of $198.9 million, an 11.1% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $11.54 million, reflecting improvements in its tax services business.
- Fiscal Year 2026 Outlook: H&R Block reaffirmed its revenue guidance for FY 2026 to be between $3.875 billion and $3.895 billion, with EBITDA expected to range from $1.015 billion to $1.035 billion, showcasing management's confidence in future growth.
- Profitability Expectations: Adjusted diluted EPS is projected to be between $4.85 and $5.00, with an effective tax rate of approximately 25%, providing investors with clear profitability guidance and enhancing market confidence in its long-term investment value.
See More
Preview of the Review: Cast No Shadow
- Stock Market Performance: Stocks are experiencing a rise similar to January's performance, indicating positive investor sentiment.
- Influencing Factors: Fresh economic data and a strong upcoming earnings season are contributing to the optimistic outlook among investors.
See More
H&R Block to Announce Q2 Earnings on February 3rd
- Earnings Announcement: H&R Block (HRB) is set to release its Q2 fiscal year 2023 earnings on February 3rd after market close, with a consensus EPS estimate of -$1.89, reflecting a 9.2% year-over-year decline, which may dampen investor sentiment.
- Revenue Expectations: The revenue is projected at $187.36 million, indicating a 4.6% year-over-year increase; however, the negative EPS outlook could overshadow this revenue growth and impact overall market performance.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, H&R Block has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 88% of the time, suggesting that the company typically exceeds market expectations during earnings releases, which could positively influence stock prices.
- Estimate Revisions: In the last three months, there have been no upward revisions to EPS estimates and four downward revisions, while revenue estimates saw one upward revision and two downward revisions, indicating a cautious market outlook regarding the company's future performance.
See More
AI Assists with Tax Returns, but Accuracy Isn't Guaranteed.
- AI in Tax Preparation: Artificial intelligence has the potential to significantly reduce the time and effort required for preparing tax returns in 2025.
- Efficiency Gains: The use of AI tools could streamline the tax filing process, making it less tedious for individuals and businesses alike.
See More
H&R Block Q2 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Leadership Transition: In his first quarter as CEO, Curtis Campbell emphasized a pivotal moment for H&R Block, focusing on a client-centric strategy and renewed attention to core tax season execution, aiming to drive long-term transformation and enhance customer experience.
- Financial Performance: H&R Block reported Q2 revenue of $199 million, an 11% year-over-year increase primarily driven by higher Assisted tax prep volume and improved DIY software sales, although the EBITDA loss of $266 million indicates challenges in cost optimization efforts.
- Outlook Reaffirmation: The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 guidance, projecting revenue between $3.875 billion and $3.895 billion and EBITDA between $1.015 billion and $1.035 billion, reflecting confidence for the upcoming tax season despite risks of industry growth slowdown.
- Technology Investment: H&R Block is increasing investments in AI tools, planning to embed AI into workflows and pilot automation for back-office functions to reduce manual effort and enhance the quality and efficiency of client interactions.
See More
H&R Block Q2 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Report: H&R Block reported a Q2 net loss of -$1.84, which, despite widening from -$1.73 year-over-year, was better than the expected -$1.89, indicating resilience amid challenges.
- Revenue Growth: Q2 revenue reached $198.9 million, surpassing Wall Street's $187.4 million estimate and up from $179.1 million a year ago, primarily driven by increased volume and average charges in assisted services.
- Guidance Reaffirmation: The company reaffirmed its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $4.85-$5.00 and revenue expectations of $3.875 billion-$3.895 billion, both exceeding analyst averages, reflecting management's confidence in future performance.
- Rising Operating Costs: Total operating expenses rose to $497.7 million in Q2 from $472.4 million a year prior, reflecting higher field wages due to increased assisted revenue and rising consulting costs.
See More
H&R Block Q2 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Highlights: H&R Block reported a Q2 Non-GAAP EPS of -$1.84, beating expectations by $0.05, indicating resilience despite ongoing losses.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenue of $198.9 million, an 11.1% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $11.54 million, reflecting improvements in its tax services business.
- Fiscal Year 2026 Outlook: H&R Block reaffirmed its revenue guidance for FY 2026 to be between $3.875 billion and $3.895 billion, with EBITDA expected to range from $1.015 billion to $1.035 billion, showcasing management's confidence in future growth.
- Profitability Expectations: Adjusted diluted EPS is projected to be between $4.85 and $5.00, with an effective tax rate of approximately 25%, providing investors with clear profitability guidance and enhancing market confidence in its long-term investment value.
See More
Preview of the Review: Cast No Shadow
- Stock Market Performance: Stocks are experiencing a rise similar to January's performance, indicating positive investor sentiment.
- Influencing Factors: Fresh economic data and a strong upcoming earnings season are contributing to the optimistic outlook among investors.
See More
H&R Block to Announce Q2 Earnings on February 3rd
- Earnings Announcement: H&R Block (HRB) is set to release its Q2 fiscal year 2023 earnings on February 3rd after market close, with a consensus EPS estimate of -$1.89, reflecting a 9.2% year-over-year decline, which may dampen investor sentiment.
- Revenue Expectations: The revenue is projected at $187.36 million, indicating a 4.6% year-over-year increase; however, the negative EPS outlook could overshadow this revenue growth and impact overall market performance.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, H&R Block has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 88% of the time, suggesting that the company typically exceeds market expectations during earnings releases, which could positively influence stock prices.
- Estimate Revisions: In the last three months, there have been no upward revisions to EPS estimates and four downward revisions, while revenue estimates saw one upward revision and two downward revisions, indicating a cautious market outlook regarding the company's future performance.
See More
AI Assists with Tax Returns, but Accuracy Isn't Guaranteed.
- AI in Tax Preparation: Artificial intelligence has the potential to significantly reduce the time and effort required for preparing tax returns in 2025.
- Efficiency Gains: The use of AI tools could streamline the tax filing process, making it less tedious for individuals and businesses alike.
See More
