Results through the end of March reflect a continued increase in the number of complex returns prepared by H&R Block this year, said Mark A. Ernst, president and chief executive officer. This is consistent with our marketing strategy and is contributing to an increase in our average fee.
Current filing trends suggest H&R Block is on track to meet or possibly exceed our previously announced revenue and earnings goals for the full year, added Ernst. Clearly, the remaining days of the tax season are important to our ultimate full year results.
Through March 31, company-owned and franchised offices prepared 13.2 million returns, an increase of 1.8 percent. The number of clients served increased 2.8 percent to 14.6 million. During this period, H&R Block filed 12.4 million federal returns electronically, representing an
8 percent increase over the prior year. Through the period, 85.2 percent of the returns processed by the company were filed electronically.
