News Release

For Further Information
Media Relations:       Nick Iammartino, 816-932-4835, nick.iammartino@hrblock.com
Investor Relations:      Scott Dudley, 816-932-8342, scott.dudley@hrblock.com

H&R BLOCK REPORTS FISCAL 2007 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

Provision for Mortgage Loan Repurchase Liability Drives Increased Loss for Period;
Full-Year Earnings Guidance at $1.60 to $1.85 per Share

FOR RELEASE AUG. 31, 2006 4 P.M. EDT

     KANSAS CITY, Mo. — H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today reported a net loss of $131.4 million, or 41 cents per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2007, compared with a $28.0 million loss, or 8 cents per share, in the prior-year period. First quarter revenues were $540.8 million versus $615.0 million a year ago.

     “Except for Mortgage Services, each of our business segments performed in line with expectations during this seasonally slow quarter when we normally report an operating loss,” said Mark A. Ernst, chairman and chief executive officer. “But that was overshadowed by the impact of recent increases in mortgage loan repurchases.”

     As previously announced, the quarter’s net loss includes a total provision for losses of $102.1 million ($61 million after-tax, or 19 cents per share) reflecting the estimated recourse liability recorded by Option One Mortgage Corp. for loan repurchases and premium-recapture reserves. The provision includes $46.1 million related to loans originated during the quarter ended July 31 and $56.0 million related to loans originated in previous quarters, and it compares with a $16.9 million provision in the first quarter of last year.

     “We’ve modified our operating procedures and loan products to improve loan performance and profitability,” Ernst noted. “We have tightened underwriting criteria and pricing guidelines — especially in parts of the Midwest and other regions where delinquencies have been highest — while continuing to reduce origination costs.”

     Given the shortfall in first quarter results and current conditions in the non-prime mortgage market, the company now expects fiscal 2007 earnings to be within the range of $1.60 to $1.85 per share, a 20-cent per share reduction from the

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H&R Block Reports Fiscal 2007 First Quarter Results/Page 2

previous guidance of $1.80 to $2.05 per share, primarily related to the additional provision for repurchase reserves.

Tax Services

     First quarter revenues for Tax Services rose 15 percent to $66.0 million from $57.2 million. The segment reported a pretax loss of $153.1 million compared with a $144.5 million loss last year.

     The pretax loss increased because of higher off-season operating costs related to retail offices added during fiscal 2006 and new offices preparing to open for the coming tax season.

     To further enhance service convenience for clients, an expansion of 300 to 400 traditional offices is under way. Including these additions, approximately 12,500 H&R Block offices will be ready to serve clients across the United States during the 2007 tax season.

     Commenting on H&R Block’s Digital Tax Solutions, Ernst said, “We believe we can build upon last season’s 23 percent growth in digital clients using our TaxCut^® software and online solutions. By offering do-it-yourself digital choices and our own professional assisted tax services, we have a unique competitive edge in meeting the emerging demand for blended tax services, in which clients prepare part or all of their tax return digitally, but also want the assistance of a tax professional.”

Mortgage Services

     Since the start of fiscal 2007, the Mortgage Services segment includes only the non-prime Option One business, while financial results for H&R Block Mortgage Corp., the company’s retail mortgage lender, are now reported within the new Consumer Financial Services segment. Presentation of prior-year results reflects the new segment alignment.

     Revenues for the Mortgage Services segment fell to $169.7 million in the first quarter from $305.0 million in the prior-year period. The segment recorded a pretax loss of $4.9 million compared with pretax income of $130.7 million a year ago, reflecting the higher loan repurchase reserves.

     “We regularly review our loss provision for expected loan repurchases,” Ernst said in commenting on the reserves increase. “We’ve recently seen increases in early payment defaults, which has caused a significant increase in loan buyers sending loans back to us for repurchase. Based on this new information, we updated our estimate of the recourse liability for all loans subject to possible repurchase, resulting in the current quarter’s provision.”

     Ernst said that in addition to tighter underwriting and pricing guidelines, Option One is focusing on more rigorous appraisals, stepped-up initial servicing of loans having the highest default potential, and other procedural enhancements to improve loan performance and profitability.

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H&R Block Reports Fiscal 2007 First Quarter Results/Page 3

     “Origination volume stabilized during the quarter near where we expected it to be,” Ernst continued. Non-prime loan volume, including loans purchased from H&R Block Mortgage, was $7.8 billion, down from $8.0 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 and $10.5 billion in the first quarter a year ago.

     Loan origination costs at 1.41 percent of origination volume were slightly improved from 1.45 percent in the 2006 fourth quarter, as cost efficiencies and savings kept pace with declining origination volume.

     Total gain on sales for Mortgage Services was $45.6 million for the current-year quarter versus $181.0 million last year. The decrease is due primarily to the increased provision for losses on loan repurchases and lower loan originations and sales.

     Option One increased its mortgage servicing portfolio at the end of the quarter to $74.5 billion from $73.4 billion at the end of the fourth quarter. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2006, servicing revenues increased 7 percent to $109 million, and pretax income improved more than 60 percent to $21 million.

     Overall, residual interests performed worse than expected. The company realized $17.3 million, or 3 cents per share, in write-downs, which was recorded as a reduction in gains on sales of mortgage assets in the income statement, and which compares with write-downs of $11.9 million, or 2 cents per share, last year. The company also realized a net write-up to residuals of $0.5 million in the first quarter, which was recorded in other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes.

Business Services

     Revenues in Business Services rose 62 percent to $205.1 million from $126.8 million, primarily reflecting the acquisition of the American Express Tax and Business Services unit (Amex TBS) in October 2005. This highly seasonal business segment — typically profitable only in the third and fourth quarters, when tax and year-end accounting work are at peak — posted a loss of $14.6 million in the quarter, up from a $6.8 million loss a year ago, due primarily to normal off-season losses of the newly added Amex TBS.

     “The integration of Amex TBS has been going smoothly, and the business is meeting our expectations,” Ernst said. “We’ve also had good growth in our existing accounting, tax and business consulting services, and we are investing to further the growth of our extended businesses such as wealth management and financial process outsourcing.”

     To support its growth initiatives, RSM McGladrey has launched a comprehensive brand awareness campaign consisting of advertising, public relations and sports sponsorships.

Consumer Financial Services

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H&R Block Reports Fiscal 2007 First Quarter Results/Page 4

     On May 1, the company combined H&R Block Financial Advisors, H&R Block Mortgage and H&R Block Bank (which also began operations May 1) to create the Consumer Financial Services segment, which is designed to capitalize on the opportunity to provide tax clients with financial services from the segment’s three H&R Block branded units. First quarter revenues for the new segment were $108.3 million with a pretax loss of $7.8 million. Year-ago revenues were $124.4 million with a pretax loss of $3.7 million.

     Results were lower than prior year because of a decline in retail mortgage origination volume. The decline in volume led to a $27.0 million decline in gain on sale revenues. Operating results for the quarter include intangible amortization of $9.2 million.

     H&R Block Financial Advisors’ production revenue rose 4 percent due to higher productivity for financial advisors and ongoing recruitment of high-producing professionals to the firm.

     “Our new H&R Block Bank is off to a strong start,” Ernst noted. “We began building the balance sheet with deposits, mortgage loans and investments, and we look forward to leveraging the Bank’s capabilities to offer attractive financial products and services to our tax and other clients.”

     The Bank grew its asset base to $566.8 million by the end of the quarter, while earning an annualized pretax return on average assets of 1.15 percent. The Bank’s efficiency ratio (non-interest expense divided by revenues less interest expense) was 35 percent. Annualized net interest margin (net interest revenue divided by average assets) was 3.65 percent. “We expect key performance measures to further improve as the Bank grows its asset base throughout the year,” Ernst noted.

Other

     Intersegment activities, which primarily involve sales of mortgage loans from Option One to H&R Block Bank, and from H&R Block Mortgage to Option One, are included in segment results but eliminated in consolidation. Intersegment gains of $10.4 million, on loan sales from Option One to H&R Block Bank, were eliminated in consolidation.

     During the first quarter, the company reacquired 8.4 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $186.3 million, or an average purchase price of $22.26 per share.

Conference Call

     H&R Block will host a conference call for analysts, institutional investors and shareholders at 5 p.m. EDT (4 p.m. CDT) on Thursday, Aug. 31. Mark Ernst and Bill Trubeck, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will discuss first quarter results and future expectations as well as respond to analysts’ questions. To

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H&R Block Reports Fiscal 2007 First Quarter Results/Page 5

access the call, please dial the number below approximately five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:

U.S./Canada (800) 599-9816 — Access Code: 37646898

International (617) 847-8705 — Access Code: 37646898

     The call will be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and public. The link to the webcast can be obtained at www.hrblock.com. A supporting slide presentation will be available in connection with the webcast and can be accessed directly on H&R Block’s Investor Relations Web site, at www.hrblock.com, by clicking on Our Company, then Block Investors.

     A replay of the call will be available beginning at 6 p.m. EDT Aug. 31 and continuing until 12 a.m. EDT Sept. 11, by dialing (888) 286-8010 (U.S./Canada) or (617) 801-6888 (International). The replay access code is 62307219. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the company’s Web site at www.hrblock.com.

Forward Looking Statement

     Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements based upon current information and expectations. Such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecast in such forward-looking statements.

     Such differences could be caused by a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the uncertainty that the company will achieve or exceed its revenue, earnings, and earnings-per-share growth goals or expectations for fiscal year 2007; the uncertainty of the company’s ability to purchase shares of its common stock pursuant to the board’s authorization; the uncertainty of the effect of any share repurchases upon the company and its shareholders; the uncertainty of the impact and effect of changes in the non-prime mortgage market, including changes in interest rates, loan origination volumes and levels of early payment defaults; changes in the company’s effective income tax rate; changes in economic, political or regulatory environments; changes in competition; litigation involving the company and its subsidiaries; and risks described from time to time in reports and registration statements filed by H&R Block Inc. and its subsidiaries with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers should take these factors into account in evaluating such forward-looking statements.

About H&R Block
H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is a leading provider of tax, financial, mortgage, accounting and business consulting services and products. H&R Block is the world’s largest tax services provider, having prepared more than 400 million tax returns since 1955. The company and its subsidiaries generated revenues of $4.9 billion and net income of $490 million in fiscal year 2006. The company operates in four principal business segments: Tax Services (income tax preparation and advice via in-office, online and software solutions); Mortgage Services (non-prime mortgage originations and loan servicing); Business Services (tax, accounting and consulting services for midsized businesses); and Consumer Financial Services (investment

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H&R Block Reports Fiscal 2007 First Quarter Results/Page 6

and financial advisory services, retail mortgage loans and banking services). Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., H&R Block markets its services and products under three leading brands — H&R Block, Option One and RSM McGladrey. For more information visit our Online Press Center at www.hrblock.com.

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KEY OPERATING RESULTS

Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data

	Three months ended July 31,
	Revenues						Income (loss)
	2006			2005			2006			2005
Tax Services	$	66,035		$	57,191			($153,148	)		($144,506	)
Mortgage Services		169,676			305,047			(4,924	)		130,664
Business Services		205,131			126,846			(14,565	)		(6,765	)
Consumer Financial Services		108,298			124,380			(7,780	)		(3,748	)
Corporate		5,558			5,004			(28,512	)		(21,762	)
Eliminations		(13,919	)		(3,475	)		(9,730	)		248
	$	540,779		$	614,993			(218,659	)		(45,869	)
Income tax benefit								(87,282	)		(17,875	)
Net loss								($131,377	)		($27,994	)
Basic and diluted loss per share								($0.41	)		($0.08	)
Basic and diluted shares outstanding								323,671			330,714

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.

     Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the consolidated results of operations or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.

     In March 2006, the Office of Thrift Supervision approved the charter of H&R Block Bank. The bank commenced operations on May 1, 2006, at which time we realigned our segments to reflect a new management reporting structure. The previously reported Investment Services segment, H&R Block Mortgage Corporation (which was previously included in the Mortgage Services segment), and H&R Block Bank are now being reported in the Consumer Financial Services segment.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except share data

	July 31,			April 30,
	2006			2006
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	390,068		$	694,358
Cash and cash equivalents — restricted		345,729			394,069
Marketable securities — trading		77,219			16,141
Receivables from customers, brokers, dealers and clearing organizations, net		437,697			496,577
Receivables, net		370,307			467,677
Mortgage loans held for sale		245,006			236,399
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		522,675			483,215
Total current assets		2,388,701			2,788,436
Residual interests in securitizations — available-for-sale		145,779			159,058
Beneficial interest in Trusts — trading		125,628			188,014
Mortgage servicing rights		275,266			272,472
Mortgage loans held for investment		541,361			407,538
Property and equipment, net		452,010			443,785
Intangible assets, net		205,101			219,494
Goodwill, net		1,104,273			1,100,452
Other assets		398,149			409,886
Total assets	$	5,636,268		$	5,989,135
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Commercial paper	$	189,356		$	—
Current portion of long-term debt		515,305			506,992
Accounts payable to customers, brokers and dealers		716,305			781,303
Customer deposits		404,030			—
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other		703,730			768,505
Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes		146,346			330,946
Accrued income taxes		259,509			505,690
Total current liabilities		2,934,581			2,893,436
Long-term debt		411,734			417,539
Other noncurrent liabilities		478,384			530,361
Total liabilities		3,824,699			3,841,336
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, no par, stated value $.01 per share		4,359			4,359
Additional paid-in capital		649,451			653,053
Accumulated other comprehensive income		20,255			21,948
Retained earnings		3,320,197			3,492,059
Less cost of 114,315,001 and 107,377,858 shares of common stock in treasury		(2,182,693	)		(2,023,620	)
Total stockholders’ equity		1,811,569			2,147,799
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	5,636,268		$	5,989,135

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data

	Three Months Ended July 31,
	2006			2005
Revenues:
Service revenues	$	421,699		$	315,128
Other revenues:
Gains on sales of mortgage assets, net		63,913			236,431
Interest income		41,010			49,253
Product and other revenues		14,157			14,181
		540,779			614,993
Operating expenses:
Cost of services		446,089			347,688
Cost of other revenues		92,014			123,357
Selling, general and administrative		215,998			184,782
		754,101			655,827
Operating loss		(213,322	)		(40,834	)
Interest expense		(12,135	)		(12,435	)
Other income, net		6,798			7,400
Loss before tax benefit		(218,659	)		(45,869	)
Income tax benefit		(87,282	)		(17,875	)
Net loss		($131,377	)		($27,994	)
Basic and diluted loss per share		($0.41	)		($0.08	)
Basic and diluted shares outstanding		323,671			330,714

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Unaudited, amounts in thousands

	July 31,
	2006			2005
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		($131,377	)		($27,994	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		46,394			44,085
Accretion of residual interests in securitizations		(13,509	)		(30,777	)
Impairment of available-for-sale residual interests in securitizations		17,266			11,875
Additions to trading residual interests in securitizations		(58,417	)		(100,462	)
Proceeds from net interest margin transactions, net		—			40,371
Additions to mortgage servicing rights		(50,122	)		(49,306	)
Amortization and impairment of mortgage servicing rights		47,328			27,212
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation		8,075			12,699
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		(1,114	)		—
Other net changes in working capital, net of acquisitions		81,091			(238,218	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(54,385	)		(310,515	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash received from residual interests in securitizations		4,567			24,031
Mortgage loans originated for investment, net		(135,161	)		—
Purchases of property and equipment		(42,868	)		(30,330	)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(4,627	)		(3,452	)
Other, net		7,068			7,935
Net cash used in investing activities		(171,021	)		(1,816	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of commercial paper		(1,034,210	)		—
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper		1,223,566			—
Dividends paid		(40,485	)		(36,537	)
Acquisition of treasury shares		(186,339	)		(131,642	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		1,114			—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		6,791			27,180
Other, net		(49,321	)		(14,082	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(78,884	)		(155,081	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(304,290	)		(467,412	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		694,358			1,100,213
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	390,068		$	632,801
Supplementary cash flow data:
Income taxes paid	$	190,378		$	35,278
Interest paid		18,702			13,830

SELECTED OPERATING DATA

Unaudited

Mortgage Services	Three months ended
	7/31/2006			7/31/2005			% change			4/30/2006			% change
Volume of loans originated and purchased (thousands):
Third-party borrowers	$	7,207,631		$	9,537,227			-24.4	%	$	7,471,558			-3.5	%
Intersegment		584,426			950,806			-38.5	%		529,799			10.3	%
	$	7,792,057		$	10,488,033			-25.7	%	$	8,001,357			-2.6	%
Loan characteristics:
Average loan size (thousands)	$	205		$	166			23.5	%	$	194			5.7	%
Weighted average interest rate (WAC)		8.68	%		7.52	%		1.16	%		8.51	%		0.17	%
Weighted average FICO score		614			623						613
Loan sales (thousands):
Third-party buyers	$	7,654,445		$	10,443,411			-26.7	%	$	7,689,424			-0.5	%
Intersegment		553,502			—			*	*		—			*	*
	$	8,207,947		$	10,443,411			-21.4	%	$	7,689,424			6.7	%
Servicing portfolio:
Number of loans serviced		439,707			451,310			-2.6	%		441,981			-0.5	%
Servicing portfolio (billions)	$	74.5		$	70.5			5.7	%	$	73.4			1.5	%

Consumer Financial Services	Three months ended
	7/31/2006			7/31/2005		% change			4/30/2006		% change
Broker-dealer:
Traditional brokerage accounts (1)		409,147			431,046		-5.1	%		418,162		-2.2	%
Average assets per traditional brokerage account	$	75,311		$	68,870		9.4	%	$	75,222		0.1	%
Ending balance of assets under administration (billions)	$	31.1		$	30.0		3.7	%	$	31.8		-2.2	%
Average customer margin balances (millions)	$	451		$	573		-21.3	%	$	493		-8.5	%
Average payables to customers (millions)	$	647		$	841		-23.1	%	$	721		-10.3	%
Advisors		938			985		-4.8	%		958		-2.1	%
Banking:
Efficiency ratio (2)		35	%		n/a					n/a
Annualized net interest margin (3)		3.65	%		n/a					n/a
Annualized return on average assets (4)		1.15	%		n/a					n/a
Total ending assets (thousands)	$	566,792			n/a					n/a
Retail mortgage activities:
Volume of loans originated (thousands):
Total	$	844,314		$	1,350,402		-37.5	%	$	847,280		-0.4	%
To retail tax clients	$	140,243		$	326,521		-57.0	%	$	112,421		24.7	%
Average loan size (thousands)	$	175		$	149		17.5	%	$	161		8.8	%

⁽¹⁾ Includes only accounts with a positive period-end balance.

⁽²⁾ Non-interest expenses divided by total revenue less interest expense. See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

⁽³⁾ Annualized net interest revenue divided by average assets. See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

⁽⁴⁾ Annualized pretax banking income divided by average assets. See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Unaudited, dollars in thousands

	Three Months Ended
	July 31, 2006			April 30, 2006
Origination Margin:
Total Mortgage Services expenses	$	174,600		$	187,879
Add: Costs netted against gain on sale		74,594			81,075
Less:
Cost of services		(78,688	)		(81,431	)
Cost of acquisition		(40,688	)		(47,936	)
Allocated support departments and other		(19,676	)		(23,317	)
Net costs to originate	$	110,142		$	116,270
Origination volume	$	7,792,057		$	8,001,357
Total cost of origination		1.41	%		1.45	%
Efficiency Ratio:
Total Consumer Financial Services expenses	$	116,078
Less: Interest and non-banking expenses		114,744
Non-interest banking expenses	$	1,334
Total Consumer Financial Services revenues	$	108,298
Less: Non-banking revenues and interest expense		(104,457	)
Banking revenue net of interest expense	$	3,841
		35	%
Net Interest Margin:
Net interest revenue — banking	$	3,729
Net interest revenue — banking (annualized)	$	14,916
Divided by average assets	$	408,117
		3.65	%
Return on Average Assets:
Total Consumer Financial Services pretax		($7,780	)
Less: Non-banking pretax loss		(8,949	)
Pretax banking income	$	1,169
Pretax banking income — annualized	$	4,676
Divided by average assets	$	408,117
		1.15	%