H&R Block's AI Tax Platform Tops CNET Rankings, Drives 85% YoY Growth in Client Queries

Event summary

  • H&R Block named Best Overall Tax Service and Best Use of AI by CNET for 2026.
  • AI Tax Assist usage grew 152% since 2023, handling 6.45 million client messages.
  • Sidekick AI tool reduced tax professional research time by 28% this season.
  • 2.48 million tax research queries processed via Sidekick during client appointments.

The big picture

H&R Block's recognition underscores the accelerating AI adoption in tax preparation, blending automation with human expertise to streamline complex filings. The 85% YoY growth in AI-assisted client queries signals a shift toward real-time, intelligent support as the industry standard. With 22 million global returns processed annually, H&R Block's AI tools are setting benchmarks for efficiency and accuracy in a highly regulated sector.

What we're watching

AI Adoption Pace
Whether H&R Block can sustain 85% YoY growth in AI-assisted client interactions.
Competitive Differentiation
How AI integration will affect H&R Block's positioning against traditional and digital tax competitors.
Regulatory Compliance
The potential impact of evolving tax regulations on AI-driven tax preparation accuracy.