SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-Q

OR

Commission file number 1-6089

H&R Block, Inc.

4400 Main Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64111
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(816) 753-6900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes þ No o

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, without par value, at the close of business on February 28, 2005 was 165,256,051 shares.

Form 10-Q for the Period Ended January 31, 2005

Table of Contents

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share amounts

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Unaudited, amounts in thousands

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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1.	Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2005, the condensed consolidated income statements for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004 have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows at January 31, 2005 and for all periods presented have been made.

     “H&R Block,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” are used interchangeably to refer to H&R Block, Inc. or to H&R Block, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as appropriate to the context.

     Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation. Most notably, we reclassified $57.6 million and $125.9 million previously reported as interest income to gains on sales of mortgage assets for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004, respectively. These reclassifications had no effect on our results of operations or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.

     Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our April 30, 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K and our October 31, 2004 and July 31, 2004 Forms 10-Q.

     Operating revenues of the Tax Services and Business Services segments are seasonal in nature with peak revenues occurring in the months of January through April. Therefore, results for interim periods are not indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

     We file our Federal and state income tax returns on a calendar year basis. The condensed consolidated income statements reflect the effective tax rates expected to be applicable for the respective full fiscal years.

2.	Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average shares outstanding during each period. The dilutive effect of potential common shares is included in diluted earnings (loss) per share except in those periods with a loss. The computations of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are as follows:

     Diluted earnings per share excludes the impact of shares of common stock issuable upon the lapse of certain restrictions or the exercise of options to purchase 15.2 million shares of stock for the nine months ended January 31, 2005, as the effect would be antidilutive due to the net loss recorded during the period. Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended January 31, 2005 and the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004 excludes the impact of 0.3 million, 283 and 3.7 million shares, respectively, issuable upon the exercise of stock options, as the effect would be antidilutive due to the

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options’ exercise prices being greater than the average market price of the common shares during the period.

The weighted average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 decreased to 164.5 million and 165.9 million, respectively, from 176.7 million and 178.0 million last year, respectively, primarily due to our purchases of treasury shares. The effect of these purchases was partially offset by the issuance of treasury shares related to our stock-based compensation plans.

     During the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, we issued 3.3 million shares and 3.8 million shares, respectively, of common stock pursuant to the exercise of stock options, employee stock purchases and awards of restricted shares, in accordance with our stock-based compensation plans.

     During the nine months ended January 31, 2005, we acquired 11.3 million shares of our common stock, of which 11.2 million shares were purchased from third parties with the remaining shares swapped or surrendered to us, at an aggregate cost of $529.9 million. During the nine months ended January 31, 2004, we acquired 7.8 million shares of our common stock from third parties at an aggregate cost of $371.2 million.

3.	Receivables
	Receivables consist of the following:

4.	Mortgage Banking Activities
	Activity related to available-for-sale residual interests in securitizations consists of the following:

     We sold $21.7 billion and $16.9 billion of mortgage loans in whole loan sales to warehouse trusts (Trusts) or other buyers during the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, with gains totaling $544.4 million and $685.5 million, respectively, recorded on these sales.

     Trading residual interests valued at $115.2 million and $199.0 million were securitized in NIM transactions during the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, with net cash proceeds of $98.7 million and $197.4 million received, respectively. In the prior year, additional residual interests were sold and cash proceeds of $50.1 million were received as a result of a secured financing (on-balance sheet securitization). During the third quarter of last year, the NIM trust was terminated and the related residual interests were subsequently securitized in a NIM transaction with a qualifying

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special purpose entity (QSPE). Total net additions to residual interests from NIM transactions for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004 were $16.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

     Cash flows of $100.3 million and $128.0 million were received from the securitization trusts for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Cash received on residual interests is included in investing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

     Aggregate net unrealized gains on residual interests, which had not yet been accreted into income, totaled $160.4 million at January 31, 2005 and $112.5 million at April 30, 2004. These unrealized gains are recorded net of deferred taxes in other comprehensive income, and may be recognized in income in future periods either through accretion or upon further securitization or sale of the related residual interest.

     Activity related to mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) consists of the following:

     Estimated amortization of MSRs for fiscal years 2005 through 2009 is $84.6 million, $70.2 million, $35.4 million, $13.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

     The key assumptions we used to estimate the cash flows and values of the residual interests initially recorded during the three months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:

     The key assumptions we used to estimate the cash flows and values of the residual interests and MSRs at January 31, 2005 and April 30, 2004 are as follows:

     We originate both adjustable and fixed rate mortgage loans. A key assumption used to estimate the cash flows and values of the residual interests is average annualized prepayment speeds. Prepayment speeds include voluntary prepayments, involuntary prepayments and scheduled principal payments. For adjustable rate mortgages with prepayment penalties, we use an average prepayment rate of 29% in the months prior to the rate reset date, which increases to 74% in the three months immediately following the rate reset date, then subsequently declines to 50% over the remaining life of the loans. For adjustable rate mortgages without prepayment penalties, we use an average prepayment rate of 37% in the months prior to the rate reset date, which increases to 56% in the three months immediately following the rate reset date, then subsequently declines to 46% over the remaining life of the loans.

     For fixed rate mortgages with prepayment penalties, we use an average prepayment rate of 30% during the months prior to the expiration of the prepayment penalties, which increases to 44% in the three months immediately following the expiration date, and remains constant at 45% over the remaining life of the loans. For fixed rate mortgages without prepayment penalties, we use an average prepayment rate of 35% over the life of the loans. Prepayment rate is projected based on actual paydown including voluntary, involuntary and scheduled principal payments.

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     Expected static pool credit losses are as follows:

     Static pool credit losses are calculated by summing the actual and projected future credit losses and dividing them by the original balance of each pool of assets outstanding at January 31, 2005, October 31, 2004, July 31, 2004 and April 30, 2004.

     At January 31, 2005, the sensitivities of the current fair value of the residual interests and MSRs to 10% and 20% adverse changes in the above key assumptions are as follows:

     These sensitivities are hypothetical and should be used with caution. Changes in fair value based on a 10% variation in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. Also in this table, the effect of a variation of a particular assumption on the fair value is calculated without changing any other assumptions. It is likely that changes in one factor may result in changes in another, which might magnify or counteract the sensitivities.

     Mortgage loans that have been securitized at January 31, 2005 and April 30, 2004, past due sixty days or more and the related credit losses incurred are presented below:

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5.	Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended January 31, 2005, consist of the following:

     We test goodwill for impairment annually at the beginning of our fourth quarter, or more frequently if events occur indicating it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit’s net assets has been reduced below its carrying value. No such impairment or events indicating impairment were identified within any of our segments during the nine months ended January 31, 2005. Our evaluation of impairment is dependent upon various assumptions, including assumptions regarding projected operating results and cash flows of reporting units. Actual results could differ materially from our projections and those differences could alter our conclusions regarding the fair value of a reporting unit and its goodwill.

     Intangible assets consist of the following:

     Amortization of intangible assets for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 was $13.6 million and $40.4 million, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004 was $15.3 million and $39.3 million, respectively. Estimated amortization of intangible assets for fiscal years 2005 through 2009 is $54.8 million, $53.3 million, $44.2 million, $42.3 million and $40.9 million, respectively.

     The goodwill and intangible assets previously included in the Corporate segment as of April 30, 2004 have been reclassified to the Tax Services segment.

6.	Derivative Instruments

A summary of our derivative instruments as of January 31, 2005 and April 30, 2004, and gains or losses incurred during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004 follows. We enter into derivative instruments to reduce risks relating to mortgage loans we originate and sell, and therefore all gains or losses are included in gains on sales of mortgage assets, net in the condensed consolidated income statements.

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     We use interest rate swaps and forward loan sale commitments to reduce interest rate risk associated with non-prime loans. We generally enter into interest rate swap arrangements related to existing loan applications with rate-lock commitments and, beginning at the end of our second quarter, for rate-lock commitments we expect to make in the next 30 days. Interest rate swaps represent an agreement to exchange interest rate payments, effectively converting our fixed financing costs into a floating rate. These contracts increase in value as rates rise and decrease in value as rates fall.

     Forward loan sale commitments for non-prime loans are not considered derivative instruments and are therefore not recorded in our financial statements. The notional value and the contract value of the forward commitments at January 31, 2005 were $4.0 billion and $4.1 billion, respectively. Most of our forward commitments give us the option to under- or over-deliver by five to ten percent.

     In the normal course of business, we enter into commitments with our customers to fund prime mortgage loans for specified periods of time at “locked-in” interest rates. These derivative instruments represent commitments (rate-lock equivalents) to fund prime loans. We adopted SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 105, “Application of Accounting Principles to Loan Commitments,” as of March 31, 2004. Upon adoption, we no longer record an asset at the time we enter into the commitments to fund non-prime mortgage loans.

     We sell short FNMA, FHLMC and GNMA mortgage-backed securities to reduce our risk related to our commitments to fund fixed-rate prime loans. The position on certain or all of the fixed-rate mortgage loans is closed approximately 10-15 days prior to standard Public Securities Association (PSA) settlement dates.

7.	Long-Term Debt

In August 2004 we filed an additional shelf registration statement with the SEC for up to $1.0 billion in debt securities. On October 26, 2004, we issued $400.0 million of 5.125% Senior Notes under shelf registration statements. The Senior Notes are due on October 30, 2014, and are not redeemable by the bondholders prior to maturity. The proceeds from the notes were used to repay our $250.0 million in 6 3/4% Senior Notes, which were due on November 1, 2004. The remaining proceeds were used for working capital, capital expenditures, repayment of other debt and other general corporate purposes.

8.	Comprehensive Income

The components of comprehensive income are:

9.	Stock-Based Compensation

Effective May 1, 2003, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123), under the prospective transition method as described in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.” Had compensation cost for

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all stock-based compensation plan grants been determined in accordance with the fair value accounting method prescribed under SFAS 123, our net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share would have been as follows:

10.	Supplemental Cash Flow Information

During the nine months ended January 31, 2005, we paid $406.6 million and $53.6 million for income taxes and interest, respectively. During the nine months ended January 31, 2004, we paid $245.4 million and $57.5 million for income taxes and interest, respectively.

     The following transactions were treated as non-cash investing activities in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows:

11.	Commitments and Contingencies

We maintain unsecured committed lines of credit (CLOCs) to support our commercial paper program and for general corporate purposes. During the second quarter, we replaced our $2.0 billion CLOC with two CLOCs. The two CLOCs are from a consortium of thirty-one banks. The first $1.0 billion CLOC is subject to annual renewal in August 2005, has a one-year term-out provision with a maturity date in August 2006 and has an annual facility fee of ten basis points per annum. The second $1.0 billion CLOC has a maturity date of August 2009 and has an annual facility fee of twelve basis points per annum. We obtained an additional $750.0 million line of credit for the period of January 26 to February 25, 2005 to back-up peak commercial paper issuance or use as an alternate source of funding for RAL participations. These lines are subject to various affirmative and negative covenants, including a minimum net worth covenant. These CLOCs were undrawn at January 31, 2005.

     We offer guarantees under our Peace of Mind (POM) program to tax clients whereby we will assume the cost of additional taxes attributable to tax return preparation errors for which we are responsible. In August 2003, we adopted Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” (EITF 00-21). EITF 00-21 impacts revenue and expense recognition related to tax preparation in our premium tax offices where POM guarantees are included in the price of a completed tax return. Prior to the adoption of EITF 00-21, revenues and expenses related to POM guarantees at premium offices were recorded in the same period as tax preparation revenues. Beginning May 1, 2003, revenues and direct expenses related to POM guarantees are now initially deferred and recognized over the guarantee period based upon historic and actual payment of claims. As a result of the adoption of EITF 00-21, we recorded a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of $6.4 million, net of a tax benefit of $4.0 million, as of May 1, 2003. Changes in the deferred revenue liability are as follows:

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     We have commitments to fund mortgage loans to customers as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. The commitments to fund loans amounted to $3.2 billion and $2.6 billion at January 31, 2005 and April 30, 2004, respectively. External market forces impact the probability of commitments being exercised, and therefore, total commitments outstanding do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

     We have entered into whole loan sale agreements with investors in the normal course of business, which include standard representations and warranties customary to the mortgage banking industry. Violations of these representations and warranties may require us to repurchase loans previously sold. A liability has been established related to the potential loss on repurchase of loans previously sold of $36.9 million and $25.2 million at January 31, 2005 and April 30, 2004, respectively, based on historical experience. Repurchased loans are normally sold in subsequent sale transactions.

     Option One Mortgage Corporation provides a guarantee up to a maximum amount equal to approximately 10% of the aggregate principal balance of mortgage loans held by the Trusts before ultimate disposition of the loans. This guarantee would be called upon in the event adequate proceeds were not available from the sale of the mortgage loans to satisfy the payment obligations of the Trusts. No losses have been sustained on this commitment since its inception. The total principal amount of Trust obligations outstanding as of January 31, 2005 and April 30, 2004 was $5.3 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively. The fair value of mortgage loans held by the Trusts as of January 31, 2005 and April 30, 2004 was $5.4 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively.

     We have various contingent purchase price obligations in connection with prior acquisitions. In many cases, contingent payments to be made in connection with these acquisitions are not subject to a stated limit. We estimate the potential payments (undiscounted) total approximately $5.6 million and $7.8 million as of January 31, 2005 and April 30, 2004, respectively. Our estimate is based on current financial conditions. Should actual results differ materially from our assumptions, the potential payments will differ from the above estimate. Such payments, if and when paid, would be recorded as additional cost of the acquired business, generally goodwill.

     We have contractual commitments to fund certain franchises requesting draws on Franchise Equity Lines of Credit (FELCs). Our commitment to fund FELCs as of January 31, 2005 and April 30, 2004 totaled $69.1 million and $27.0 million, respectively. We have a receivable of $52.7 million and $35.9 million, which represents the amounts drawn on the FELCs, as of January 31, 2005 and April 30, 2004, respectively.

     We routinely enter into contracts that include embedded indemnifications that have characteristics similar to guarantees, including obligations to protect counter parties from losses arising from the following: (a) tax, legal and other risks related to the purchase or disposition of businesses; (b) penalties and interest assessed by Federal and state taxing authorities in connection with tax returns prepared for clients; (c) indemnification of our directors and officers; and (d) third-party claims relating to various arrangements in the normal course of business. Typically, there is no stated maximum payment related to these indemnifications, and the term of indemnities may vary and in many cases is limited only by the applicable statute of limitations. The likelihood of any claims being asserted against us and the ultimate liability related to any such claims, if any, is difficult to predict. While we cannot provide assurance that such claims will not be successfully asserted, we believe the fair value of these guarantees and indemnifications is not material as of January 31, 2005.

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12.	Litigation Commitments and Contingencies

We have been involved in a number of class actions and putative class action cases since 1990 regarding our RAL programs. These cases are based on a variety of legal theories and allegations. These theories and allegations include, among others, that (i) we improperly did not disclose license fees we received from RAL lending banks for RALs they make to our clients, (ii) we owe and breached a fiduciary duty to our clients, and (iii) the RAL program violates laws such as state credit service organization laws and the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Although we have successfully defended many RAL cases, we incurred a substantial pretax expense in fiscal year 2003 in connection with the settlement of one RAL case. Several of the RAL cases are still pending and the amounts claimed in some of them are very substantial. We cannot estimate the range of possible loss relating to the RAL cases in light of various legal uncertainties. However, it is reasonably possible that the ultimate cost of this litigation could be substantial. We intend to continue defending the RAL cases vigorously, although there are no assurances as to their outcome.

     We are also parties to claims and lawsuits pertaining to our electronic tax return filing services and our POM guarantee program associated with income tax preparation services. These claims and lawsuits include actions by individual plaintiffs, as well as cases in which plaintiffs seek to represent a class of similarly situated customers. The amounts claimed in these claims and lawsuits are substantial in some instances, and the ultimate liability with respect to such litigation and claims is difficult to predict. We intend to continue defending these cases vigorously, although there are no assurances as to their outcome.

     In addition to the aforementioned types of cases, we are parties to claims and lawsuits that we consider to be ordinary, routine disputes incidental to our business (Other Claims and Lawsuits), including claims and lawsuits concerning the preparation of customers’ income tax returns, the fees charged customers for various services, investment products, relationships with franchisees, contract disputes and civil actions, arbitrations, regulatory inquiries and class actions arising out of our business as a broker-dealer and as a servicer of mortgage loans. We believe we have meritorious defenses to each of the Other Claims and Lawsuits and we are defending, or intend to defend, them vigorously. While we cannot provide assurance that we will ultimately prevail in each instance, we believe that amounts, if any, required to be paid by us in the discharge of liabilities or settlements pertaining to Other Claims and Lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. Regardless of outcome, claims and litigation can adversely affect us due to defense costs, diversion of management and publicity related to such matters.

     It is our policy to accrue for amounts related to legal matters if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Many of the various legal proceedings are covered in whole, or in part, by insurance. Any receivable for insurance recoveries is recorded separate from the corresponding litigation reserve, and only if recovery is determined to be probable. Receivables for insurance recoveries at January 31, 2005 were immaterial.

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13.	Segment Information

Information concerning our operations by reportable operating segment is as follows:

     Our international operations contributed $12.5 million and $40.6 million in revenues for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, respectively, and $8.3 million and $14.7 million in pretax losses, respectively. Our international operations contributed $10.8 million and $35.4 million in revenues for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004, respectively, and $6.4 million and $12.3 million in pretax losses, respectively. The previously reported International Tax Operations segment has been aggregated with U.S. Tax Operations in the Tax Services segment, and prior year results have been restated to reflect this change.

     The pretax loss from our Corporate segment for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 includes a non-operating gain of $16.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, resulting from a legal recovery.

14.	New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (SFAS 123R) was issued. SFAS 123R revises the original SFAS 123 on stock-based compensation primarily by requiring all entities to recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of those awards. Compensation expense must be recognized for the unvested portions of all awards outstanding as of the date of adoption. The provisions of this standard are effective as of the beginning of our second quarter of fiscal year 2006. We are currently evaluating what effect the adoption of SFAS 123R will have on our consolidated financial statements.

     In October 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act (the Act) was signed into law. The Act introduces a one-time deduction for dividends received from the repatriation of certain foreign earnings, provided certain criteria are met. We have begun our evaluation of the effects of the Act, but do not expect to be able to complete this evaluation until additional clarifying language on key elements of the Act are issued. As of January 31, 2005, we have not provided deferred taxes on foreign earnings because we intended to indefinitely reinvest such earnings outside the United States. Whether we will ultimately take advantage of this provision depends on our review of the Act and any additional guidance provided and we are therefore currently uncertain as to the impact, if any, this matter will have on our consolidated financial statements, and are unable to estimate the amount of earnings we may repatriate.

Exposure Draft – Amendment of SFAS 140

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) intends to reissue the exposure draft, “Qualifying Special Purpose Entities and Isolation of Transferred Assets, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 140,” during the third quarter of calendar year 2005. The purpose of the proposal is to provide more specific guidance on the accounting for transfers of financial assets to a QSPE.

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     Provisions in the first exposure draft, as well as tentative decisions reached by the FASB during its deliberations, may require us to consolidate our current QSPEs (the Trusts) established in our Mortgage Services segment. As of January 31, 2005, the Trusts had both assets and liabilities of $5.3 billion. The provisions of the exposure draft are subject to FASB due process and are subject to change. We will continue to monitor the status of the exposure draft, and consider changes, if any, to current structures as a result of the proposed rules.

15. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

Block Financial Corporation (BFC) is an indirect, wholly owned consolidated subsidiary of the Company. BFC is the Issuer and the Company is the Guarantor of the Senior Notes issued on October 21, 1997, April 13, 2000 and October 26, 2004. These condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared using the equity method of accounting. Earnings of subsidiaries are, therefore, reflected in the Company’s investment in subsidiaries account. The elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries, related stockholder’s equity and other intercompany balances and transactions. The income statement for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004 and statement of cash flows for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 and balance sheet as of April 30, 2004 have been adjusted to reflect intercompany royalties between BFC and other subsidiaries. These adjustments have no effect on H&R Block, Inc. (Guarantor) or Consolidated H&R Block.

Condensed Consolidating Income Statements

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Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets