Wal-Mart and H&R Block Offering Free Basic Tax Prep

(AP)  NEW YORK — The free preparation of the simple tax forms will be made available at more than 3,000 Wal-Mart Stores nationwide starting Monday.

The nation's largest retailer has contracted with the top two tax prep companies, H&R Block Inc. and Jackson-Hewitt Tax Service Inc., to set up kiosks inside its stores where customers can have their tax returns completed by trained preparers.

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As it is doing in its own retail locations nationwide, H&;R Block will offer free preparation of 1040EZ forms at Wal-Mart through Feb. 29. Block will have kiosks in about 250 Wal-Mart stores.

It's the second year Block is offering free simple tax prep. The company, based in Kansas City, Mo., has shifted strategies to retain market share after struggling for several years and the free preparations are one of its tactics to get people in the door.

Jackson-Hewitt will provide free prep of the simple forms throughout the tax season at about 2,800 Wal-Mart stores, 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.

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