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LITIGATION AND OTHER RELATED CONTINGENCIES
6 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
LITIGATION AND OTHER RELATED CONTINGENCIES
NOTE 9: LITIGATION AND OTHER RELATED CONTINGENCIES
We are a defendant in numerous litigation and arbitration matters, arising both in the ordinary course of business and otherwise, including as described below. The matters described below are not all of the lawsuits or arbitrations to which we are subject. In some of the matters, very large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive damages, may be sought. U.S. jurisdictions permit considerable variation in the assertion of monetary damages or other relief. Jurisdictions may permit claimants not to specify the monetary damages sought or may permit claimants to state only that the amount sought is sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction. In addition, jurisdictions may permit plaintiffs to allege monetary damages in amounts well exceeding reasonably possible
verdicts in the jurisdiction for similar matters. We believe that the monetary relief which may be specified in a lawsuit or claim bears little relevance to its merits or disposition value due to this variability in pleadings and our experience in handling and resolving numerous claims over an extended period of time.
The outcome of a matter and the amount or range of potential loss at particular points in time may be difficult to ascertain. Among other things, uncertainties can include how fact finders will evaluate documentary evidence and the credibility and effectiveness of witness testimony, and how courts and arbitrators will apply the law. Disposition valuations are also subject to the uncertainty of how opposing parties and their counsel will view the relevant evidence and applicable law.
In addition to litigation and arbitration matters, we are also subject to other loss contingencies arising out of our business activities, including as described below.
We accrue liabilities for litigation, arbitration and other related loss contingencies and any related settlements when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If a range of loss is estimated, and some amount within that range appears to be a better estimate than any other amount within that range, then that amount is accrued. If no amount within the range can be identified as a better estimate than any other amount, we accrue the minimum amount in the range.
For such matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, or the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, no accrual has been made. It is possible that such matters could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures or accrue liabilities in amounts that could not be reasonably estimated as of December 31, 2023. While the potential future liabilities could be material in the particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are recorded, based on information currently known, we do not believe any such liabilities are likely to have a material adverse effect on our business and our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Our accrued liabilities were $1.8 million and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, respectively.
Our estimate of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses includes (1) matters where a liability has been accrued and there is a reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued for that liability, and (2) matters where a liability has not been accrued but we believe a loss is reasonably possible. This aggregate range only represents those losses as to which we are currently able to estimate a reasonably possible loss or range of loss. It does not represent our maximum loss exposure.
Matters for which we are not currently able to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss are not included in this range. We are often unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss until developments in such matters have provided sufficient information to support an assessment of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss, such as precise information about the amount of damages or other remedies being asserted, the defenses to the claims being asserted, discovery from other parties and investigation of factual allegations, rulings by courts or arbitrators on motions or appeals, analyses by experts, or the status or terms of any settlement negotiations.
The estimated range of reasonably possible loss is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment and a variety of assumptions, as well as known and unknown uncertainties. The matters underlying the estimated range will change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. As of December 31, 2023, we believe the estimate of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued, where the range of loss can be estimated, is not material.
At the end of each reporting period, we review relevant information with respect to litigation, arbitration and other related loss contingencies and update our accruals, disclosures, and estimates of reasonably possible loss or range of loss based on such reviews. Costs incurred with defending matters are expensed as incurred. Any receivable for insurance recoveries is recorded separately from the corresponding liability, and only if recovery is determined to be probable and reasonably estimable.
We believe we have meritorious defenses to the claims asserted in the various matters described in this note, and we intend to defend them vigorously. The amounts claimed in the matters are substantial, however, and there can be no assurances as to their outcomes. In the event of unfavorable outcomes, it could require modifications to our operations; in addition, the amounts that may be required to be paid to discharge or settle the matters could
be substantial and could have a material adverse impact on our business and our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
LITIGATION, CLAIMS OR OTHER LOSS CONTINGENCIES PERTAINING TO CONTINUING OPERATIONS
On May 6, 2019, the Los Angeles City Attorney filed a lawsuit on behalf of the People of the State of California in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (Case No. 19STCV15742). The case is styled The People of the State of California v. HRB Digital LLC, et al. The complaint alleges that H&R Block, Inc. and HRB Digital LLC engaged in unfair, fraudulent and deceptive business practices and acts in connection with the IRS Free File Program in violation of the California Unfair Competition Law, California Business and Professions Code §§17200 et seq. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, restitution of monies paid to H&R Block by persons in the State of California who were eligible to file under the IRS Free File Program for the time period starting 4 years prior to the date of the filing of the complaint, pre-judgment interest, civil penalties and costs. The City Attorney subsequently dismissed H&R Block, Inc. from the case and amended its complaint to add HRB Tax Group, Inc. We filed a motion for summary judgment, which was denied. The parties have reached an agreement to settle this matter. An accrual related to this matter is included in our loss contingency accrual.
In January 2024, we received a revised demand and draft complaint from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) relating to certain aspects of our DIY tax preparation services. If the parties are not able to reach amicable resolution, the FTC may seek resolution through litigation. We have also received and are responding to certain governmental inquiries and other matters relating to the IRS Free File Program and other aspects of our DIY tax preparation services, including the use of pixels. We have not concluded that a loss related to these matters is probable, nor have we accrued a liability related to these matters.
DISCONTINUED MORTGAGE OPERATIONS – Although SCC ceased its mortgage loan origination activities in December 2007 and sold its loan servicing business in April 2008, SCC or the Company has been and may in the future be, subject to litigation and other loss contingencies, including indemnification and contribution claims, pertaining to SCC's mortgage business activities that occurred prior to such termination and sale.
Parties, including underwriters, depositors, and securitization trustees, have been, remain, or may in the future be, involved in lawsuits, threatened lawsuits, or settlements related to securitization transactions in which SCC participated. A variety of claims are alleged in these matters, including violations of federal and state securities laws and common law fraud, breaches of representations and warranties, or violations of statutory requirements. SCC has received notices of potential indemnification or contribution obligations relating to such matters. Additional lawsuits against the parties to the securitization transactions may be filed in the future, and SCC may receive additional notices of potential indemnification, contribution or similar obligations with respect to existing or new lawsuits or settlements of such lawsuits or other claims. We have not concluded that a loss related to any of these potential indemnification or contribution claims is probable, nor have we accrued a liability related to any of these claims.
It is difficult to predict either the likelihood of new matters being initiated or the outcome of existing matters. In many of these matters it is not possible to estimate a reasonably possible loss or range of loss due to, among other things, the inherent uncertainties involved in these matters and the indeterminate damages sought. If the amount that SCC is ultimately required to pay with respect to loss contingencies, together with payment of SCC's related administration and legal expense, exceeds SCC's net assets, the creditors of SCC, other potential claimants, or a bankruptcy trustee if SCC were to file or be forced into bankruptcy, may attempt to assert claims against us for payment of SCC's obligations. Claimants also may attempt to assert claims against or seek payment directly from the Company even if SCC's assets exceed its liabilities. SCC's principal assets, as of December 31, 2023, total approximately $268 million and consist of an intercompany note receivable. We believe our legal position is strong on any potential corporate veil-piercing arguments; however, if this position is challenged and not upheld, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
OTHER – We are from time to time a party to litigation, arbitration and other loss contingencies not discussed herein arising out of our business operations. These matters may include actions by state attorneys general, other state regulators, federal regulators, individual plaintiffs, and cases in which plaintiffs seek to represent others who may be similarly situated.