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H&R Block Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 raised, 1 lowered, 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 5.3% on assisted growth: Quarterly revenue was $2.4 billion, up $121.0 million or 5.3%. Management attributed the increase mainly to higher assisted net average charge and volume, international revenue and Refund Transfer volume. Source
  • One-time IRS tax benefit lifted EPS: A one-time non-cash benefit from resolving an IRS examination lowered income tax expense. Net income from continuing operations rose 17.4% to $848.8 million; diluted EPS rose 24.2% to $6.61. Source
  • Adjusted net income and EPS rose: Adjusted net income from continuing operations rose 5.8% to $773.7 million, and adjusted diluted EPS rose 11.9% to $6.02, both excluding the discrete IRS tax impact and acquisition intangible amortization. Source
  • Assisted revenue rose to $1.74 billion: Assisted tax preparation revenue was $1,742.1 million, up from $1,635.9 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Operating expenses rose on field wages: Total operating expenses were $1.4 billion, up $62.5 million or 4.8%. Management said field wages rose with increased assisted tax preparation revenue. Source
  • Year-to-date shareholder returns reached $560.9 million: Year-to-date dividends and repurchases totaled $560.9 million, up from $507.7 million reported at the second quarter. Source
  • Long-term debt rose as cash fell: Long-term debt was $1.49 billion at March 31, up from $1.14 billion at June 30, 2025; cash and cash equivalents were $867.0 million, down from $983.3 million. Source

“This season marked an important inflection point, demonstrating that our strategy is driving higher-quality business outcomes,”

Curtis Campbell, president and chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue Sourcefiscal 2026$3.910 to $3.920 billionRaised from $3.875 to $3.895 billion
EBITDA from continuing operations Sourcefiscal 2026$1.025 to $1.035 billionRaised from $1.015 to $1.035 billion
Effective tax rate Sourcefiscal 2026approximately 14%Lowered from approximately 25%
Adjusted diluted EPS Sourcefiscal 2026$5.10 to $5.20Raised from $4.85 to $5.00
Share repurchases Sourcefourth quarter of fiscal 2026incremental $100 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year revenue, EBITDA and adjusted diluted EPS ranges raised, following year-to-date performance. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year effective tax rate guidance reset lower. Source
  • New: Board authorized an incremental fourth-quarter repurchase under the existing program. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 5.3% on assisted growth: Quarterly revenue was $2.4 billion, up $121.0 million or 5.3%. Management attributed the increase mainly to higher assisted net average charge and volume, international revenue and Refund Transfer volume. Source
  • One-time IRS tax benefit lifted EPS: A one-time non-cash benefit from resolving an IRS examination lowered income tax expense. Net income from continuing operations rose 17.4% to $848.8 million; diluted EPS rose 24.2% to $6.61. Source
  • Adjusted net income and EPS rose: Adjusted net income from continuing operations rose 5.8% to $773.7 million, and adjusted diluted EPS rose 11.9% to $6.02, both excluding the discrete IRS tax impact and acquisition intangible amortization. Source
  • EBITDA rose to $1.07 billion: EBITDA from continuing operations was $1,072.3 million, against $1,012.1 million a year earlier, per the company's non-GAAP reconciliation. Source

Segments and regions

  • Assisted revenue rose to $1.74 billion: Assisted tax preparation revenue was $1,742.1 million, up from $1,635.9 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • International and Wave revenue both rose: International revenue was $70.1 million, up from $60.4 million, and Wave revenue was $29.9 million, up from $26.7 million. Source
  • DIY flat while Refund Transfers rose: DIY tax preparation was $215.2 million, versus $214.7 million, and Refund Transfers were $119.9 million, versus $113.7 million. Source
  • Emerald Card and Spruce revenue eased: Emerald Card and Spruce revenue was $39.6 million, down from $40.2 million, while Emerald Advance interest and fee income rose to $15.2 million from $14.3 million. Source

“Progress this tax season with higher complexity clients underscores the durability of our financial model”

Tiffany Mason, chief financial officer

Products and customers

  • Assisted channel share held, third year up: The company said it maintained its assisted channel market share, marking a third consecutive year of improvement. Source
  • Clients choosing for confidence and trust: Management said clients are choosing the company for confidence, trust and expert help this season. Source
  • Expert-led, technology-enabled approach cited: The CEO said the approach is delivering value to clients. Source

Operating costs

  • Operating expenses rose on field wages: Total operating expenses were $1.4 billion, up $62.5 million or 4.8%. Management said field wages rose with increased assisted tax preparation revenue. Source
  • Occupancy rose; marketing spending fell: Occupancy was $127.3 million, up from $119.7 million, and marketing and advertising was $185.4 million, down from $196.7 million. Source
  • Bad debt fell; other costs rose: Bad debt was $39.8 million, down from $40.5 million; other operating expenses were $202.9 million, up from $193.6 million. Source

“Our assisted market share trend improved meaningfully after several years of pressure,”

Curtis Campbell, president and chief executive officer

Capital returns to shareholders

  • Year-to-date shareholder returns reached $560.9 million: Year-to-date dividends and repurchases totaled $560.9 million, up from $507.7 million reported at the second quarter. Source
  • Repurchases and dividends paid in nine months: Nine-month repurchases of common stock were $412.7 million, versus $436.5 million, and dividends paid were $157.8 million, versus $147.1 million. Source
  • Dividend paid since 1962: The company has paid quarterly dividends consecutively since becoming public in 1962 and has grown the dividend 110% since April 2016. Source

Cash, debt and balance sheet

  • Operating cash flow rose over nine months: Nine-month net cash provided by operating activities was $586.7 million, versus $429.3 million a year earlier. Source
  • Capital spending and acquisitions: Nine-month capital expenditures were $67.1 million, versus $71.8 million, and payments for business acquisitions were $55.0 million, versus $35.3 million. Source
  • Long-term debt rose as cash fell: Long-term debt was $1.49 billion at March 31, up from $1.14 billion at June 30, 2025; cash and cash equivalents were $867.0 million, down from $983.3 million. Source
  • Debt repaid and reissued in nine months: The company repaid $350.0 million of long-term debt and received $347.0 million from a long-term debt issuance over the nine months. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 May 2026

  • Dividend payment on July 7: The quarterly dividend is payable July 7 to holders of record as of June 3. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: About $700 million remains on the previously announced $1.5 billion repurchase program. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.