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Business Law
Unfair and Deceptive Business Practices
Fraud

The People of the State of California v. HRB Digital LLC, HRB Tax Group, Inc.

Published: May 3, 2024 | Result Date: Feb. 2, 2024 | Filing Date: May 6, 2019 |

Case number: 19STCV15742 Settlement –  $1,600,000

Judge

Randolph M. Hammock

Court

Los Angeles County Superior Court


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Steven Son
(Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney)

Christopher Munsey
(Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney)


Defendant

Brian D. Hershman
(Jones Day)

Darren K. Cottriel
(Jones Day)


Facts

The People of the State of California filed suit against H&R Block, alleging that it engaged in numerous fraudulent, unfair, and deceptive business practices, namely by intentionally steering customers eligible for free filing services to H&R Block's paid online commercial products, despite its agreement to provide free tax preparation services for low-income taxpayers.

Result

The case settled. Under the terms of the settlement, H&R Block will pay $1.6 million in restitution to tens of thousands of California residents who paid H&R Block to file their federal tax returns when they were eligible to file their returns for free.


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