H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

Jeff Jones: Yes. So I’ll pick the revenue piece and Tony can comment on OpEx. But yes, so first of all, I’d say remembering, we lapped a strong extension season last year. And in light of that, we feel good about our volume performance against our expectations. As we mentioned, we saw some slight share gain in both the assisted and DIY business in this first quarter. And then we saw a continuation of the price increases we took last year and some favorable mix, which helped drive revenue. And then when we saw the extension happen in California, obviously, we talked about keeping more offices open, more tax pros staffed. And we think we did a nice job of winning our fair share in California leading up to October 15. So when you put all those things together, it is a relatively small part of the business, as we always say, but we feel good about the start to the year.

Tony Bowen: Yes. And on the expense side, we are happy with the very modest increase we saw in Q1. We’re continuing to see inflationary pressure. So it’s not that it’s completely dissipated. Obviously, we did an annual merit cycle this summer that’s flowing in the P&L in Q1. We’re continuing to see rent prices go up as well as utilities. But we’re doing what we can to offset that. You mentioned a few things and marketing be a little bit lower consulting expenses being a little bit lower in Q1. So we’re reaffirming our full year guidance. We think we’re off to a good start. Expense management is obviously a key focus for us, and we think that will continue in Q2.

Scott Schneeberger: Right. And as a follow-up, I think I’ll just kind of ask industry level. What are you seeing here in with regard to the IRS and its pilot program associated with being a tax preparation organization itself? And then also just mathematically, to 99k, any developments there that you’re hearing? And could that be something that is a new and different angle for this year?

Jeff Jones: Yes. I’ll pick up 10.99 first, actually. We believe it will be in place. There is a possibility as always some year-end legislation could change that like it happened last year. It’s not contemplated in our outlook book, but we do have some real thoughtful plans in place should it proceed that we’re ready to capture that opportunity when the season kicks off. So that’s on 10.99K and with respect to the IRS, even in their latest briefing, Scott, they really dialed back the size and magnitude of what they think they’ll pilot this year. We expect that to be much smaller than they originally had planned. But if we just take a step back from that, we know the consumers spoken loud and clear. They don’t think the IRS should be in the business.

We’ve been very clear on our position about that. There are over 30 organizations, including us that already offer free tax preparation. So our view on it really hasn’t changed. It does sound like their plans have changed. And I just — we find it hard to believe over time that they’ll be able to use taxpayer dollars to be in the business of building a product, marketing a product and supporting a product year in and year out.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of George Tong of Goldman Sachs.

George Tong: As you think about your strategy with EITC tax filers, in the prior tax season, marketing, the value proposition of Refund Advance, for example, is definitely an important part, but also a decrease in the average refund size and an increase in balance due returns had an impact on that demographic. Can you talk about how those other factors, which HR has less control over might materialize over the upcoming tax season?