This is not a class action. H&R Block's Terms of Service forbid class actions. There has not been a settlement. Instead, we represent consumers in arbitration proceedings against H&R Block where the consumers could recover up to $10,000. Because each arbitration is individual, you may accept or reject any settlement offer we get from H&R Block or go through the complete arbitration process and accept the arbitrator's award. We have limited our fees in this matter to 40% of any award you get, even if that amount is less than our hourly rate. You control any settlement, and you would always receive the majority of any claim.

A November 2022 investigation by The Markup revealed that major tax filing services such as H&R Block have been quietly transmitting sensitive financial information about its customers to Facebook through a widely used code called the Meta Pixel.

A Congressional investigation and report issued in July 2023 found that the amount and type of data H&R block shared with Big Tech was even more extensive than what the Markup discovered and confirmed that that Meta and Google worked with H&R Block to put tracking pixels on the section of H&R Block’s website where customers entered sensitive information. Although H&R Block claims that all this shared data was anonymous, “the FTC and experts have indicated that the data could easily be used to identify individuals, or to create a dossier on them that could be used for targeted advertising or other purposes.” You can read the report here.

This action applies to people who completed their tax returns between 2019 and 2022 using H&R Block’s: (1) website; (2) mobile app; or (3) in-store services.

This action does not apply if you completed your tax returns using H&R Block Software that you downloaded and used on your personal computer or similar device.

The data shared with Facebook included full names, zip codes, phone numbers, taxpayers’ filing status, approximate adjusted gross income, approximate refund amount, names of dependents, and more according to the Senate report.

It is very real. According to the July 2023 Congressional Report, “because of the way the pixels were set up and implemented—every single taxpayer who used [tax preparation companies like H&R Block] to file their taxes could have had at least some of their data shared.” Cong. Rpt. p. 13.

Unfortunately, H&R Block is not required by law to notify you about the misuse of your personal data. However, H&R Block admitted in response to a Congressional inquiry, that it “shared taxpayer data via their use of Meta Pixel and Google’s tools” and “revealed an extensive list of data shared … including transmitting information on whether taxpayers had visited pages for many revealing tax situations, such as having dependents, certain types of income (such as rental income or capital gains), and certain tax credits or deductions.”

The Meta Pixel and Google Tag are snippets of website code created by Facebook or Google to track users across the internet.

Once a business installs them on a website, the Pixel or Tag starts tracking the actions users take on the website. This can include page views, interactions with specific elements, completion of forms, or purchases. The data is then sent to Facebook or Google without any notification.

The data collected by the Pixel or Tag is used to create a profile on each user for targeted advertising campaigns. Meta can also use the data for its own advertising purposes.

Your agreement with H&R Block prevents you from suing, you have to arbitrate any claim. H&R Block's Online Services Agreement contains many hoops you have to jump through to bring a claim: https://www.hrblock.com/pdf/HRBlock-Online-Services-Agreement.pdf. You also have to comply with the arbitration rules.

Complying with every detail of the Agreement and arbitration rules is not easy. That's why we are accepting clients who want to file an arbitration.

Yes. Anyone who completed their tax returns using H&R Block’s website, mobile app, or in-office services between 2019 and 2022 may sign up and see if they qualify.

Yes, as long as you completed your tax return at an H&R Block store between 2019 and November 2023.

Tax preparation companies like H&R Block shared millions of taxpayers’ data with Meta, Google, and other Big Tech Firms. You can read more about it Here.

Your spouse needs to file a separate claim. You can share this link with them and anyone else you know who may be affected: https://www.complexcounsel.com/hr-block-data-breach.

You should provide us with the name(s) you used when you filed your taxes on the form so H&R Block can match their records with your filed name.

Please share this link with anyone you know who may be affected: https://www.complexcounsel.com/hr-block-data-breach.

Yes. You can complete a form using their name here: https://www.complexcounsel.com/hr-block-data-breach.

You can complete a form for yourself, and one for your deceased spouse if you are an executor of their estate.

Yes. As the 2022 Markup Report explained, “[t]he information sent to Facebook can be used by the company to power its advertising algorithms and is gathered regardless of whether the person using the tax filing service has an account on Facebook or other platforms operated by its owner, Meta.”

We believe that H&R Block violated federal law in disclosing taxpayer information. All U.S. taxpayers are protected by this law.

It's too early to know for sure. H&R Block may have violated the Federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act and Wiretap act, 18 USC § 2520, which prohibits the interception or disclosure of electronic communications. Under this law, a plaintiff can recover actual damages plus any profits made by the defendant from the violation, or “the greater of $100 a day for each day of violation or $10,000.”

Unlike most data breach claims, Federal law provides for damages of up to $10,000 for each unauthorized use or disclosure of taxpayer information. It is our position that H&R Block may be liable for up to $10,000 for each act of unauthorized inspection or disclosure of a return or return information. However, this is only an estimate, not a guaranteed outcome.

Because each arbitration is individual, you have the ability to accept or reject any settlement offer or to go through the complete arbitration process and accept any award you may receive. We have also limited our fees in this matter to 40% of any award even if that amount is less than our hourly rate. So, you control any settlement, and you would always receive the majority of any claim.

Nothing. We work on a contingency fee, which means that we don’t get paid unless we win money for you. And we only get paid a percentage of the money we win for you. We have also limited our fees in this matter to 40% of any award even if that amount is less than our hourly rate. We also advance all the expenses (filing fees, expert review fees, and things like that), so that they don’t come out of your pocket. You would always receive the majority of any claim.

We are in the early stages of this case and timelines can vary between months and years. We will know more soon. It is simply too early to make any concrete timeline determination.

H&R Block’s Terms and Conditions require an informal dispute resolution procedure. There are special rules if more than 25 people have similar claims. Millions of taxpayers have been impacted by H&R Block’s data sharing with Facebook and Google so these special rules apply.

Step one requires a written notice to H&R Block of the complaint. We started sending notices on behalf of clients to H&R Block in September 2023.

Step two is informal meetings with H&R Block’s lawyers to try to resolve the dispute for each taxpayer. We are currently scheduling and holding these settlement conferences.

Step three is the filing of arbitrations with the American Arbitration Association if we are unable to reach an agreement with H&R Block. If arbitrations are filed, they will proceed 20 at a time until an agreement to resolve the dispute can be reached. We have begun filing these arbitrations.

H&R Block’s Terms and Conditions require an informal dispute resolution procedure. There are special rules if more than 25 people have similar claims. Millions of taxpayers have been impacted by H&R Block’s data sharing with Facebook and Google so these special rules apply.

Step one requires a written notice to be sent to H&R Block of the complaint. We started sending notices on behalf of consumers to H&R Block in September 2023.

Step two is informal meetings with H&R Block’s lawyers to try to resolve the dispute on behalf of the first taxpayers to complain to H&R Block. We are currently scheduling and holding these settlement conferences.

Step three is filing arbitrations with the American Arbitration Association if we are unable to reach an agreement with H&R Block. If arbitrations are filed, they will proceed 20 at a time until an agreement to resolve the dispute can be reached. We are still accepting additional clients who want to file an arbitration.

No. Any potential arbitration would take place in the county where you reside and you would likely be able to attend by phone or video.

It is our understanding that H&R Block discontinued their use of Meta’s Pixel after the Markup’s November 2022 report, but that does not mean your information is safe. See Here.

We are not in a position to advise you about using H&R Block or another tax preparation company because another company could have the same or similar data sharing issues.

The lawyers in charge of this litigation are:

Aaron Zigler https://www.ziglerlawgroup.com/lawyers/aaron-zigler

George Zelcs https://www.koreintillery.com/george-zelcs

Randall Ewing https://www.koreintillery.com/randall-p-ewing-jr