has seen a decline in the number of returns showing adjusted gross incomes of less than $20,000, but an increase in “expertise” filings with AGI of more than $90,000, which involve materially higher preparation fees per customer. The economic stimulus of 2008 was delivered through tax return filings, while the initial phase of the 2009 economic stimulus for ordinary Americans is being delivered through changes in payroll tax withholding. We believe growth in total returns filed is below last year and that decline is pronounced in clients with the lowest incomes. At the same time we are definitely seeing a shift this year from assisted returns to digital filings, with particular popularity of “free” online filings. We have seen strong results in the second half of the tax season in each of the last three years, and we are working hard to match that performance again in 2009,” Smyth added.
Pretax income for the quarter at RSM McGladrey (Business Services segment) increased 62% to $10.7 million, compared to $6.6 million in fiscal 2008. Increased profitability reflected the effect of cost reduction initiatives on margins, as total revenues fell 3.5 % during the quarter compared to the prior year period. Core accounting, tax and consulting revenues increased $4.4 million, or 3%, over the prior-year period. Those gains were offset by a decline in capital markets revenues and lower sub-contractor revenues.
RSM revenues for the nine months ended January 31, 2009 were $592.9 million, down 5% from $623.8 million in the comparable period for the prior year. Pretax income for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was $23.5 million, up 42% compared with income of $16.5 million in the prior-year period.
H&R Block Bank (Consumer Financial Services segment) reported a fiscal third quarter pretax loss of $3.3 million compared to pretax income of $12.3 million in the prior period. Income from the Emerald suite of products offered to tax clients increased during the period, but this was more than offset by a $13.5 million increase in loan loss reserves compared with the prior-year period. The bank continues to be affected by ongoing declines in housing values as well as higher delinquencies on mortgage loans owned by bank. The company expects to participate in the Obama Administration’s recently-announced mortgage loan modification program, paralleling prior efforts to modify and restructure mortgage loans on owner-occupied properties.
For the first nine months of fiscal 2009, the Bank posted a pretax loss of $36.0 million, compared with pretax income of $12.8 million for the nine month period in fiscal 2008. This primarily reflects a $39.6 million increase in loan loss reserves, and a $5.7 million impairment of other real estate owned, during the current fiscal year period.
Conference Call
At 8:00 a.m. EST today, the Company will host a conference call for analysts, institutional investors and shareholders. Richard Breeden, chairman of the board, Russ Smyth, chief executive officer, Becky Shulman, chief financial officer, and Tim Gokey, president of retail tax services will discuss quarterly results and future expectations, as well as respond to analysts' questions. To access the call, please dial the number below approximately five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:
| U.S./Canada (877) 247-6355– Access Code: 87179378 |
| International (706) 679-0371– Access Code: 87179378 |
The call also will be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and public. The link to the webcast and a supporting slide presentation can be accessed directly at http://investor-relations.hrblock.com.
A replay of the call will be available beginning at 10:00 a.m. EST March 6, 2009, and continuing until March 20, 2009, by dialing (800) 642-1687 (U.S./Canada) or (706) 645-9291 (international). The conference id is 75298862. The webcast will be available for replay on the Company's Investor Relations Web site at http://investor-relations.hrblock.com
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, which are any statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements, as well as the Company’s guidance, are based upon the Company’s current expectations and there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and speak only as of the date on which they are made, the Company’s actual results could differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties relate to, among other things, uncertainties and potential contingent liabilities arising from our former mortgage loan origination and servicing business; uncertainties in the residential mortgage market and its impact on loan loss provisions; uncertainties pertaining to the commercial debt market; competitive factors; the Company’s effective income tax rate; litigation; and changes in market, economic, political or regulatory conditions. Information concerning these risks and uncertainties is contained in Item 1A of the Company’s 2008 annual report on Form 10-K and in other filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About H&R Block
H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world’s preeminent tax services provider, having served more than 400 million clients since 1955 and generating annual revenues of $4.1 billion in fiscal year 2008. H&R Block provides income tax return preparation and related services and products via a nationwide network of approximately 13,000 Company-owned and franchised offices and through TaxCut® online and software solutions. The Company also provides business services through RSM McGladrey. For more information visit our Online Press Center at www.hrblock.com.
# # #
5

KEY OPERATING RESULTS
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data
| | Three months ended January 31, | |
| | Revenues | | Income (loss) | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Tax Services | | $ | 761,735 | | $ | 661,787 | | $ | 130,443 | | $ | 45,879 | |
Business Services | | | 185,177 | | | 191,884 | | | 10,695 | | | 6,614 | |
Consumer Financial Services | | | 45,195 | | | 39,305 | | | (3,268 | ) | | 12,318 | |
Corporate and Eliminations | | | 1,339 | | | 1,828 | | | (36,131 | ) | | (64,395 | ) |
| | $ | 993,446 | | $ | 894,804 | | | 101,739.0 | | | 416.0 | |
Income taxes (benefit) | | | | | | | | | 34,909.0 | | | (6,674.0 | ) |
Net income from continuing operations | | | | | | | | | 66,830.0 | | | 7,090.0 | |
Net loss from discontinued operations | | | | | | | | | (19,467.0 | ) | | (54,448.0 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | | | | | | | $ | 47,363 | | | ($47,358 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income from continuing operations | | | | | | | | $ | 0.20 | | $ | 0.02 | |
Net loss from discontinued operations | | | | | | | | | (0.06 | ) | | (0.17 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | | | | | | | $ | 0.14 | | | ($0.15 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic shares outstanding | | | | | | | | | 337,338 | | | 325,074 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income from continuing operations | | | | | | | | $ | 0.20 | | $ | 0.02 | |
Net loss from discontinued operations | | | | | | | | | (0.06 | ) | | (0.16 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | | | | | | | $ | 0.14 | | | ($0.14 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted shares outstanding | | | | | | | | | 338,687 | | | 327,202 | |
| | Nine months ended January 31, | |
| | Revenues | | Income (loss) | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Tax Services | | $ | 936,104 | | $ | 822,454 | | ($218,045 | ) | ($325,559 | ) |
Business Services | | | 592,873 | | | 623,755 | | 23,481 | | 16,489 | |
Consumer Financial Services | | | 80,980 | | | 89,608 | | (36,014 | ) | 12,751 | |
Corporate and Eliminations | | | 6,867 | | | 9,697 | | (108,106 | ) | (112,587 | ) |
| | $ | 1,616,824 | | $ | 1,545,514 | | (338,684 | ) | (408,906 | ) |
Income tax benefit | | | | | | | | (143,930 | ) | (168,893 | ) |
Net loss from continuing operations | | | | | | | | (194,754 | ) | (240,013 | ) |
Net loss from discontinued operations | | | | | | | | (26,476 | ) | (612,196 | ) |
Net loss | | | | | | | | ($221,230 | ) | ($852,209 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted loss per share: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss from continuing operations | | | | | | | | ($0.59 | ) | ($0.74 | ) |
Net loss from discontinued operations | | | | | | | | (0.08 | ) | (1.89 | ) |
Net loss | | | | | | | | ($0.67 | ) | ($2.63 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted shares outstanding | | | | | | | | 331,429 | | 324,544 | |
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. The dilutive effect of potential common shares is included in diluted earnings per share, except in those periods with a loss from continuing operations.
Effective November 1, 2008, we sold HRB Financial Corporation, including our securities brokerage business formerly conducted through H&R Block Financial Advisors, Inc. (HRBFA), to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. As a result of this transaction, we received cash proceeds, net of selling costs, of $304.0 million, plus repayment of net intercompany liabilities of $46.6 million. The carrying value of our investment in this business at the date of disposition was $293.7 million. We deferred recognition of a portion of the sale proceeds totaling $7.0 million, which represents the estimated value of an ongoing collaboration arrangement with our Tax Services businesses, and recorded a liability for indemnification obligations at an estimated fair value of $15.5 million. The transaction resulted in a capital loss for income tax purposes and, with the exception of benefits of approximately $10 million recorded during the quarter ended October 31, 2008, is not currently expected to result in a tax benefit. Net of selling expenses, deferrals, and indemnification liabilities, we recorded a loss during the quarter ended January 31, 2009 in connection with the disposition of this business totaling $12.2 million.
As of January 31, 2009, the results of operations of HRBFA and its direct corporate parent are presented as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated financial statements. All periods presented reflect our discontinued operations.
Discontinued operations also include mortgage businesses historically engaged in the origination of non-prime and prime mortgage loans, the sale and securitization of mortgage loans and residual interests, and the servicing of non-prime loans. During fiscal year 2008, we terminated all origination activities and sold the loan servicing operations. Also included in the prior year are the results of three smaller lines of business previously reported in our Business Services segment.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Amounts in thousands, except share data
| | January 31, | | April 30, | | January 31, | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2008 | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 1,269,203 | | $ | 664,897 | | $ | 1,332,936 | |
Cash and cash equivalents - restricted | | | 75,893 | | | 7,031 | | | 70,289 | |
Receivables, net | | | 2,642,951 | | | 534,229 | | | 2,679,446 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 425,042 | | | 420,738 | | | 230,454 | |
Assets of discontinued operations, held for sale | | | — | | | 987,592 | | | 4,045,206 | |
Total current assets | | | 4,413,089 | | | 2,614,487 | | | 8,358,331 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Mortgage loans held for investment, net | | | 781,755 | | | 966,301 | | | 1,040,854 | |
Property and equipment, net | | | 383,704 | | | 363,664 | | | 372,790 | |
Intangible assets, net | | | 394,106 | | | 147,368 | | | 154,163 | |
Goodwill | | | 848,443 | | | 831,314 | | | 836,767 | |
Other assets | | | 480,795 | | | 700,291 | | | 812,306 | |
Total assets | | $ | 7,301,892 | | $ | 5,623,425 | | $ | 11,575,211 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Short-term borrowings | | $ | 690,485 | | | — | | $ | 1,711,485 | |
Customer banking deposits | | | 2,115,708 | | | 785,624 | | | 1,958,490 | |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | | 734,755 | | | 739,887 | | | 473,274 | |
Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes | | | 206,959 | | | 365,712 | | | 255,422 | |
Accrued income taxes | | | 143,791 | | | 439,380 | | | 78,547 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | 9,030 | | | 7,286 | | | 8,332 | |
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings | | | 104,000 | | | 129,000 | | | — | |
Liabilities of discontinued operations, held for sale | | | — | | | 644,446 | | | 3,199,626 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 4,004,728 | | | 3,111,335 | | | 7,685,176 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | | | 2,002,647 | | | 1,031,784 | | | 2,813,411 | |
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings | | | — | | | — | | | 104,000 | |
Other noncurrent liabilities | | | 454,512 | | | 492,488 | | | 508,692 | |
Total liabilities | | | 6,461,887 | | | 4,635,607 | | | 11,111,279 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock, no par, stated value $.01 per share | | | 4,442 | | | 4,359 | | | 4,359 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 835,329 | | | 695,959 | | | 685,013 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | | (16,614 | ) | | 2,486 | | | (348 | ) |
Retained earnings | | | 2,015,650 | | | 2,384,449 | | | 1,887,466 | |
Less treasury shares, at cost | | | (1,998,802 | ) | | (2,099,435 | ) | | (2,112,558 | ) |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 840,005 | | | 987,818 | | | 463,932 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 7,301,892 | | $ | 5,623,425 | | $ | 11,575,211 | |

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data
| | Three months ended January 31, | | | | Nine months ended January 31, | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Service revenues | | $ | 799,687 | | $ | 710,250 | | | | $ | 1,356,744 | | $ | 1,267,924 | |
Other revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Product and other revenues | | | 135,155 | | | 137,444 | | | | | 166,582 | | | 176,232 | |
Interest income | | | 58,604 | | | 47,110 | | | | | 93,498 | | | 101,358 | |
| | | 993,446 | | | 894,804 | | | | | 1,616,824 | | | 1,545,514 | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of services | | | 572,854 | | | 552,807 | | | | | 1,272,762 | | | 1,264,880 | |
Cost of other revenues | | | 111,713 | | | 96,234 | | | | | 216,890 | | | 194,929 | |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 208,814 | | | 247,320 | | | | | 464,054 | | | 514,403 | |
| | | 893,381 | | | 896,361 | | | | | 1,953,706 | | | 1,974,212 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) | | | 100,065 | | | (1,557 | ) | | | | (336,882 | ) | | (428,698 | ) |
Other income (expense), net | | | 1,674 | | | 1,973 | | | | | (1,802 | ) | | 19,792 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes (benefit) | | | 101,739 | | | 416 | | | | | (338,684 | ) | | (408,906 | ) |
Income taxes (benefit) | | | 34,909 | | | (6,674 | ) | | | | (143,930 | ) | | (168,893 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | | | 66,830 | | | 7,090 | | | | | (194,754 | ) | | (240,013 | ) |
Net loss of discontinued operations | | | (19,467 | ) | | (54,448 | ) | | | | (26,476 | ) | | (612,196 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 47,363 | | | ($47,358 | ) | | | | ($221,230 | ) | | ($852,209 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | 0.20 | | $ | 0.02 | | | | | ($0.59 | ) | | ($0.74 | ) |
Net loss from discontinued operations | | | (0.06 | ) | | (0.17 | ) | | | | (0.08 | ) | | (1.89 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 0.14 | | | ($0.15 | ) | | | | ($0.67 | ) | | ($2.63 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic shares outstanding | | | 337,338 | | | 325,074 | | | | | 331,429 | | | 324,544 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | 0.20 | | $ | 0.02 | | | | | ($0.59 | ) | | ($0.74 | ) |
Net loss from discontinued operations | | | (0.06 | ) | | (0.16 | ) | | | | (0.08 | ) | | (1.89 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 0.14 | | | ($0.14 | ) | | | | ($0.67 | ) | | ($2.63 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted shares outstanding | | | 338,687 | | | 327,202 | | | | | 331,429 | | | 324,544 | |

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Unaudited, amounts in thousands
| | Nine months ended January 31, | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | |
Net loss | | ($221,230 | ) | ($852,209 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash | | | | | |
used in operating activities: | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 90,455 | | 82,710 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | 20,364 | | 30,131 | |
Change in participation in tax client loans receivable | | (1,048,993 | ) | (1,693,506 | ) |
Operating cash flows of discontinued operations | | 99,425 | | (34,297 | ) |
Other, net of acquisitions | | (1,363,583 | ) | (872,946 | ) |
Net cash used in operating activities | | (2,423,562 | ) | (3,340,117 | ) |
| | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | |
Principal repayments on mortgage loans held for investment, net | | 72,150 | | 106,721 | |
Purchases of property and equipment, net | | (73,913 | ) | (77,226 | ) |
Payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired | | (290,868 | ) | (23,835 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued | | | | | |
operations: | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of operating units, net | | 303,983 | | — | |
Other | | (48,917 | ) | (1,675 | ) |
Other, net | | 23,839 | | 7,382 | |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | (13,726 | ) | 11,367 | |
| | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | |
Repayments of commercial paper | | — | | (5,125,279 | ) |
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper | | — | | 4,133,197 | |
Repayments of other short-term borrowings | | (928,983 | ) | (2,161,177 | ) |
Proceeds from other short-term borrowings | | 2,565,281 | | 5,097,662 | |
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes | | — | | 599,376 | |
Customer deposits, net | | 1,326,584 | | 828,872 | |
Dividends paid | | (147,569 | ) | (137,049 | ) |
Acquisition of treasury shares | | (7,387 | ) | (7,237 | ) |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | 69,891 | | 14,527 | |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net | | 141,450 | | — | |
Net cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations | | 4,783 | | 634,208 | |
Other, net | | 17,544 | | (32,331 | ) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | 3,041,594 | | 3,844,769 | |
| | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | 604,306 | | 516,019 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | | 664,897 | | 816,917 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | | $1,269,203 | | $1,332,936 | |
| | | | | |
Supplementary cash flow data: | | | | | |
Income taxes paid (net of income tax refunds received) | | ($13,006 | ) | ($55,975 | ) |
Interest paid on borrowings | | 70,891 | | 129,694 | |
Interest paid on deposits | | 11,484 | | 39,498 | |
Non-cash investing activities: | | | | | |
Foreclosed assets | | 62,774 | | — | |

Preliminary U.S. Tax Operating Data
(amounts in thousands, except average fee)
| | Period |
| | 11/1-1/31 | | Tax Season February YTD (1) |
Net tax preparation fees: (2) | | | | | | |
Fiscal year 2009 | | | | | | |
Company-owned operations | | $ | 520,386 | | $ | 1,206,429 |
Franchise operations | | | 229,439 | | | 530,675 |
| | $ | 749,825 | | $ | 1,737,104 |
Fiscal year 2008 (3) | | | | | | |
Company-owned operations | | $ | 439,757 | | $ | 1,115,231 |
Franchise operations | | | 225,035 | | | 552,499 |
| | $ | 664,792 | | $ | 1,667,729 |
Percent change | | | | | | |
Company-owned operations | | | 18.3 | % | | 8.2% |
Franchise operations | | | 2.0 | % | | -4.0% |
Total retail operations | | | 12.8 | % | | 4.2% |
| | | | | | |
Total returns prepared: | | | | | | |
Fiscal year 2009 | | | | | | |
Company-owned operations | | | 2,579 | | | 6,251 |
Franchise operations | | | 1,339 | | | 3,199 |
Total retail offices | | | 3,918 | | | 9,450 |
Digital Software | | | 780 | | | 1,552 |
Digital Online | | | 643 | | | 1,743 |
Digital Free File Alliance | | | 178 | | | 501 |
Total Digital tax solutions | | | 1,601 | | | 3,796 |
| | | 5,519 | | | 13,246 |
Fiscal year 2008 (3), (4) | | | | | | |
Company-owned operations | | | 2,430 | | | 6,285 |
Franchise operations | | | 1,427 | | | 3,548 |
Total retail offices | | | 3,857 | | | 9,833 |
Digital Software | | | 799 | | | 1,645 |
Digital Online | | | 396 | | | 1,114 |
Digital Free File Alliance | | | 306 | | | 890 |
Total Digital tax solutions | | | 1,501 | | | 3,649 |
| | | 5,358 | | | 13,482 |
Percent change | | | | | | |
Company-owned operations | | | 6.1 | % | | -0.5% |
Franchise operations | | | -6.2 | % | | -9.8% |
Total retail operations | | | 1.6 | % | | -3.9% |
Digital Software | | | -2.4 | % | | -5.7% |
Digital Online | | | 62.4 | % | | 56.5% |
Digital Free File Alliance | | | -41.8 | % | | -43.7% |
Digital tax solutions | | | 6.7 | % | | 4.0% |
Total | | | 3.0 | % | | -1.8% |
| | | | | | |
Net average fee - retail: (5) | | | | | | |
Fiscal year 2009 | | | | | | |
Company-owned operations | | $ | 202.07 | | $ | 193.58 |
Franchise operations | | | 171.67 | | | 166.65 |
| | $ | 191.68 | | $ | 184.47 |
Fiscal year 2008 (3) | | | | | | |
Company-owned operations | | $ | 181.19 | | $ | 177.76 |
Franchise operations | | | 157.91 | | | 156.15 |
| | $ | 172.58 | | $ | 169.97 |
Percent change | | | | | | |
Company-owned operations | | | 11.5 | % | | 8.9% |
Franchise operations | | | 8.7 | % | | 6.7% |
Total retail operations | | | 11.1 | % | | 8.5% |
(1) Results are through 2/28/09 and 2/28/08, excluding the extra day due to leap year. The additional day in 2008 represented approximately 83,000 company-owned, 48,000 franchise and 19,000 digital returns.
(2) Amounts include gross tax preparation fees less coupons and discounts.
(3) Prior year numbers have not been reclassified between company-owned and franchise offices for offices which commenced company-owned operations during fiscal year 2009. Through 2/28/09, approximately 320,000 returns were from the major franchise operator acquired on 11/3/08. Prior year numbers have also been restated to include tax returns only.
(4) Amounts exclude Economic Stimulus Act only filers of approximately 17,000 and 16,000 for company-owned and franchise, respectively, through 2/29/2008.
(5) Amounts are calculated as net tax preparation fees divided by retail tax returns.