KANSAS CITY, Mo. — H&R Block said Monday afternoon that it has resolved the technical issues that were preventing some “desktop software” users from e-filing their tax returns on one of the busiest days on the tax calendar.
The software affected is a downloadable version from the company's website and is different from online tax filing.
H&R Block informed KSHB 41 News via email around 3 p.m. Monday afternoon that the problem has been fixed.
"The issue affecting a small number of our downloadable desktop software users has been resolved," the Kansas City-based tax-preparation company said via email. "We have notified our clients via an in-product message and as they reach out to customer service that they can now efile their return."
Nearly all workers in the U.S. are required to file an annual income-tax return by April 15 with the IRS and any state in which they lived or worked during the previous year to avoid possible penalties and interest charges.
Last-minute filers started reporting issues Sunday and have flooded Kansas City-based H&R Block’s social media with complaints about connection errors and being overcharged.
Online filing, which is the primary online service the company offers, as well as assisted filing virtually and in-person are not affected, according to the tax-preparation giant. H&R Block said it was still working to resolve the issue shortly before noon Monday.
“We are aware of an issue preventing some desktop software users from e-filing their returns,” H&R Block said in a statement to KSHB 41 News. “Online clients and clients working with our tax professionals virtually or in person are not impacted. We are working to resolve the issue quickly and ask clients to please try again later today or print and mail their return if that is more convenient.”
H&R Block acknowledged the issues on X, formerly known as Twitter, after 10 a.m. Monday morning by tweeting the same statement.
We are aware of an issue preventing some desktop software users from e-filing their returns. Online clients and clients working with our tax professionals virtually or in person are not impacted.
— H&R Block Support (@HRBlockAnswers) April 15, 2024
As long as a mailed copy is postmarked by April 15, tax filers should not face penalties or interest charges.
Another option is to apply for a filing extension, which, if granted, would give tax filers more time to file without penalty.
Customers complained of a “bad gateway” error that prevented the desktop software from connecting to H&R Block’s servers, which file tax returns with the IRS and state agencies.
Others said even though the software couldn’t connect to allow for e-filing, H&R Block charged their bank or credit card for every failed attempt.
H&R Block said customers won't actually be charged multiple times.
"If you are paying an e-filing fee by credit card, you might see multiple temporary authorization holds, but you will not be charged," H&R Block told KSHB 41 News via email. "It may take a few days for holds to expire depending on your card issuer."
Additional customers said they received a confirmation email indicating the IRS had accepted a return, but they weren’t sure if it actually had been filed given the connection error.
H&R Block was advising customers online that it was aware of the issue and expected it to be resolved “in an hour” in the comments section of a Facebook post.
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