Broker Discretionary Voting
Brokers holding shares on behalf of beneficial owners are prohibited from exercising discretionary voting authority for beneficial owners who have not provided voting instructions on “non-routine” proposals, resulting in so-called “broker non-votes.” Brokers may vote without instruction only on “routine” proposals. Proposal 2, the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, is the only routine proposal on the ballot for the Annual Meeting and the only proposal on the ballot for which broker discretionary voting is permitted. All other proposals are non-routine. If you hold your shares with a broker, your shares will not be voted on non-routine proposals unless you give voting instructions to such broker.
Voting Requirements and Effect of Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
For each matter to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting, shareholders may vote “for,” “against,” or “abstain.”
For each of the proposals, the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote on the matter, is necessary for election or approval. The vote on Proposal 3, the approval of the Company’s named executive officer compensation, is a non-binding advisory vote only.
Shares represented in person or by a proxy that directs that the shares abstain from voting on a matter are deemed to be represented at the meeting as to that particular matter, and have the same effect as a vote against that proposal. Broker non-votes have no impact on the proposals.
If a submitted proxy does not specify how to vote, the shares represented by that proxy will be considered to be voted FOR each of the director nominees included in Proposal 1, and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.
MAY I CHANGE MY VOTE?
After your initial vote, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote (i) any time prior to the voting deadline via the internet or by telephone (only your latest internet or telephone proxy submitted prior to the voting deadline for the Annual Meeting will be counted), (ii) by signing and returning a new proxy card with a later date prior to the Annual Meeting, or (iii) by attending the Annual Meeting and voting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HRB2021. However, your attendance at the Annual Meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy unless you vote again at the Annual Meeting or specifically request in writing that your prior proxy be revoked. If your shares are held in street name by a broker, bank, or other nominee, you must contact that nominee to change your vote.
DO SHAREHOLDERS HAVE CUMULATIVE VOTING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS?
No, shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM?
As of the record date, 181,843,234 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued and outstanding. A majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE “IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2021”?
It means your shares are held in more than one account. You should vote all of your shares.
WHAT IS HOUSEHOLDING?
As permitted by the SEC, we are delivering only one copy of this proxy statement to shareholders residing at the same address, unless the shareholders have notified us of their desire to receive multiple copies of the proxy statement. This practice is known as householding. The Company will promptly deliver, upon request, a separate copy of the proxy statement to any shareholder residing at an address to which only one copy was mailed. Requests for additional copies for the current year or future years should be directed to the Corporate Secretary, H&R Block, Inc., One H&R Block Way, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, or by telephone at (816) 854-4288.
Shareholders of record residing at the same address and currently receiving multiple copies of the proxy statement may contact our registrar and transfer agent, EQ, to request that only a single copy of the proxy statement be mailed in the future. You can contact EQ by phone at (888) 213-0968 or (651) 450-4064, or by mail at 1110 Centre Point Curve, Suite 101, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120-4100.
