Latest news with #H&RBlock
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NiCE Announces Customer Keynote Speakers for Interactions 2025: Disney, H&R Block, ALG Vacations, Charles Schwab and Carnival UK
Customer keynotes demonstrate CXone Mpower impact in driving better, faster customer service automation HOBOKEN, N.J., June 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NiCE (Nasdaq: NICE) today announced customer keynote speakers from Disney, H&R Block, Apple Leisure Group Vacations (ALGV), Charles Schwab and Carnival UK at the industry's leading customer experience (CX) event, Interactions 2025. Disney Creates Magic Through Innovative End-to-End Customer Journey The Walt Disney Company brings magic to life through exceptional viewer experiences and successfully brought this same magic to streaming viewers seeking assistance through an innovative end-to-end customer journey with CXone Mpower, to automate actions in self-service, improve agent experience, and support millions of interactions worldwide. With NiCE, Disney is blending a more personalized self-service experience with memorable human interactions. Arun Chandra, SVP Customer Experience at Disney, said, "With NiCE, we've transformed our customer support at scale, by leading with self-service, optimizing operations, and redefining viewer experiences." H&R Block Transforms into a Digital-First, AI-powered Customer Care Organization with NiCE H&R Block, the world leader in online and in-office tax preparation, is evolving into a digital-first customer care organization with NiCE. Driving continuous optimization, H&R Block successfully migrated to NiCE in 60 days, launched an IVR that managed 5 million calls in four months during the pandemic, and integrated digital self-service, intelligent coaching, and scalable AI. With seven-figure savings achieved, the company now aims to automate additional customer journeys to deliver a faster, more connected service at scale with CXone Mpower. "Real transformation happens when we empower teams, elevate technology and rethink experiences," said Brendan Mulryan, VP Customer Care at H&R Block. "NiCE has helped us reimagine CX, meeting today's demand for digital self-service while advancing our AI and automation." ALG Vacations Achieved 35% Resolution Rate Through Redefined Self-Service with NiCE ALG Vacations, North America's premier tour operator curating unforgettable journeys for millions across six iconic brands, is redefining personalized travel with AI. ALGV has redefined self-service, cut call volumes and achieved an impressive 35% resolution rate with NiCE. Now, the company is taking it further with CXone Mpower Copilot, assisting advisors with real-time, actionable insights to elevate experiences. Nicholas Moreland, Director, Operations Strategy & Analytics at ALG Vacations, said, "AI is driving smarter, more personalized experiences for today's digital-first travelers. With NiCE's AI and automation, we're not just meeting current needs, but anticipating the future." Charles Schwab Achieves Service Transformation at Scale with NiCE CXone Mpower Charles Schwab, a leader in investment services, has successfully transformed its client service operations at scale, migrating thousands of client facing professionals onto NiCE CXone Mpower. By leveraging NiCE's cloud-native platform to scale its operations, the company is now well-positioned to drive innovation through AI, advanced analytics and automation. Rahul Magan, Head of Client Service and Support at Charles Schwab, said, "Undertaking a large-scale cloud migration is a challenge that many enterprises are still navigating. With NiCE, we successfully delivered on our service transformation ambitions and are now advancing our commitment to meaningful innovation." Carnival UK Advances AI Innovation and Elevates Guest Experiences at Scale with NiCE Carnival UK, supporting millions of interactions annually for P&O Cruises and Cunard, is transforming guest services at scale with AI. By leveraging NiCE CXone Mpower, including Copilot and Autopilot, Carnival UK increased assessed engagements by 99%, unlocking real-time insights into every interaction. This empowered them to deliver more personalized, efficient experiences at scale, even as guest volumes surged by the thousands. Jon Wells, Contact Centre Director, Carnival UK, said, "With NiCE CXone Mpower, we're accelerating our AI roadmap to create exceptional, tailored experiences for every guest, at every touchpoint, and continuing to push the boundaries of innovation." Scott Russell, CEO of NiCE: "We're empowering enterprises to unlock real value at unmatched speed with customer service automation. I'm thrilled to welcome Disney, H&R Block, ALG Vacations, Charles Schwab and Carnival UK to the Interactions 2025 keynote stage, where their groundbreaking work is setting new, innovative industry benchmarks in customer service." View the Interactions 2025 agenda here, and register today. About NiCENiCE (NASDAQ: NICE) is transforming the world with AI that puts people first. Our purpose-built AI-powered platforms automate engagements into proactive, safe, intelligent actions, empowering individuals and organizations to innovate and act, from interaction to resolution. Trusted by organizations throughout 150+ countries worldwide, NiCE's platforms are widely adopted across industries connecting people, systems, and workflows to work smarter at scale, elevating performance across the organization, delivering proven measurable outcomes. Trademark Note: NiCE and the NiCE logo are trademarks of NICE Ltd. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners. For a full list of NICE's marks, please see: Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, including the statements by Mr. Russell, are based on the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of NICE Ltd. (the "Company"). In some cases, such forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "believe," "expect," "seek," "may," "will," "intend," "should," "project," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," or similar words. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results or performance of the Company to differ materially from those described herein, including but not limited to the impact of changes in general economic and business conditions; competition; successful execution of the Company's growth strategy; success and growth of the Company's cloud Software-as-a-Service business; rapid changes in technology and market requirements; the implementation of AI capabilities in certain products and services, decline in demand for the Company's products; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; difficulties in making additional acquisitions or difficulties or effectively integrating acquired operations; loss of market share; an inability to maintain certain marketing and distribution arrangements; the Company's dependency on third-party cloud computing platform providers, hosting facilities and service partners; cyber security attacks or other security incidents; privacy concerns; changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates, the effects of additional tax liabilities resulting from our global operations, the effect of unexpected events or geo-political conditions, including those arising from political instability or armed conflict that may disrupt our business and the global economy; our ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel; the effect of newly enacted or modified laws, regulation or standards on the Company and our products and various other factors and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting the company, refer to the Company's reports filed from time to time with the SEC, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise them, except as required by law. View source version on Contacts Corporate Media Christopher Irwin-Dudek, +1 201 561 4442, media@ ET Investors Marty Cohen, +1 551 256 5354, ir@ ETOmri Arens, +972 3 763 0127, ir@ CET Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ATO mistake costing Aussies $500 at tax time: ‘Can't afford'
Australians will be able to start lodging their tax returns with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in the coming weeks, with many eager for a much-needed cash boost. But experts are warning people to carefully check that they are claiming everything they are entitled to, or they could miss out on hundreds. Australians could be short-changing themselves by $525.50 on average, new research by H&R Block found, simply by missing deductions. Those who lodge their tax returns themselves through the ATO's MyTax portal are particularly at risk, with 66 per cent found to have missed deductions. 'In a year when every dollar counts, that's money Australians can't afford to leave behind,' H&R Block director of tax communications Mark Chapman said. RELATED ATO warning over popular tax deduction Aussies try to claim each year: 'Not claimable' $1,831 Centrelink payment change coming within weeks: 'You'll get more' Australia's most in-demand jobs revealed with $125,000 salaries up for grabs: 'Short supply' 'If you've started a side hustle, invested in shares, bought property, or even just worked from home — your return is no longer simple. 'The ATO doesn't tell you what you're entitled to claim — that's up to you. And in a year where budgets are stretched, getting it right can make a real difference.' The survey found one in three Aussies only realised they'd missed out on deductions after lodging, meaning they missed out on doing it for the year. It comes as Aussies are urged to hold off lodging their tax returns as soon as the financial year ends on July 1, as they could risk making mistakes and missing out on claims. The ATO said waiting allowed it to collect information on your wages, bank interest, private health insurance, dividends and government payments, which is then pre-filled into your tax return if you use myTax. Last year, about three million individual tax returns were lodged by July 23, skyrocketing to 5.8 million by August 20. Car expenses make up the most work-related claims, with ATO data showing that they accounted for $10.3 billion in claims from 3.6 million people in the 2023-24 financial year. Clothing was the most common claim, with $2.2 billion worth of expenses claimed by 6.5 million people in the same year. Financial adviser and Yahoo Finance contributor Ben Nash said many taxpayers were leaving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the table because they forget to claim everything they are entitled to. He said some of the most overlooked tax deductions include: Work-related education expenses: Think short courses, workshops, online learning, and seminar fees. Work from home expenses: The actual cost method is more onerous than the fixed rate method, but it could offer better deductions. Income protection insurance: Premiums are deductible for insurance outside of your super fund. Investment-related expenses: Expenses like the interest on loans for investing, property management fees, financial adviser fees for investing, and investment account or brokerage fees are deductible. Professional memberships and subscriptions: Memberships for industry bodies, magazine or journal subscriptions, and software or tools can be deductible. Chapman said rental property expenses, such as gardening and lawn mowing, bank fees and pest control, were often overlooked, along with extra concessional superannuation contributions. If you paid for a tax professional to do last year's tax return, you can also claim a deduction for the cost in this year's return. The ATO has occupation guides that you can check out to see what you can and can't claim. Chapman has also written a handy guide to the best deductions available while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data
CNET
24-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
With Direct File at Risk, I Found These 6 Other Free Ways to File Your Taxes
Direct File could be brought to an end within a month if the current budget reconciliation bill becomes law. IRS/CNET I've grown pretty dependent on the features and reliability of premium tax software like H&R Block over the years but the steadily rising costs of life right now have me questioning how I'll handle taxes in the future. So imagine my disappointment to hear the news that the GOP-led Congress is inching closer to axing the popular – and free – IRS Direct File program. That's just my luck sometimes. But my frustration is the least of things: Some folks might have had their 2025 tax filing deadline extended considerably because of natural disasters, and if they haven't filed already they might've been betting on using Direct File to get their returns sorted out. Handling the fallout of those disasters is a heavy enough burden without having to cough up extra money -- which you might not even have -- to get your tax return filed. Because predicaments like that are all too common I've gone looking and put together some information about the free options left out there, in case Direct File goes away for good. For all the details you'll need, keep reading, and for more help managing costs, check out CNET's daily tariff price impact tracker. Is IRS Direct File going away? It certainly seems like that. The reconciliation bill that recently passed the House of Representatives by the narrowest margin possible -- beyond extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts and setting a litany of other federal budget policies -- calls for the Direct File to be terminated. It's not clear when this might happen but the bill calls for it no later than 30 days after it becomes law. As for what might come after that point, the reconciliation bill only calls for "a better public-private partnership between the IRS and private-sector tax preparation services," which gives no concrete details about what the end-product might be. What is IRS Free File? Free File is another service offered by the IRS and you can think of it as the predecessor to Direct File. For the time being, it seems safe. For the 2025 tax season, Free File was available to anyone -- individuals or families -- with a gross income limit of $84,000, and worked in collaboration with software companies like FreeTaxUSA and TaxAct. Direct File, by comparison, is a standalone product and has some other useful advantages, like the ability to automatically import a previous year's tax information. "Both have their limitations in terms of salary or forms allowed, but they were two viable options for filers looking to complete their tax return for free," CNET tax editor Danni Santana explained. "I believe Direct File had a high ceiling and would become an even better option for more filers with the more tax situations it covered." Do TurboTax and H&R Block offer free tax filing? They do! For some folks. Generally, the services offered by these tax prep companies have free or "basic" editions that let you file at no cost as long as your income situation is simple enough. Typically, "simple enough" stops at reporting W2 income and income from interest or dividends, and claiming things like the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax credit. These basic options from TurboTax and H&R Block come recommended by CNET. "TurboTax works well for most filers. About 37% of filers also qualify to file for free, assuming they have simple tax situations," Santana said. "H&R Block is another option we love whose software works similarly to TurboTax and can be cheaper if you have to pay to file your return due to your tax situation." What is FreeTaxUSA? Santana also recommended some filers check out FreeTaxUSA, which he used to file his return this year. According to CNBC, it supports free filing "for nearly all tax situations," although state tax returns will run you $15 each. (Still a lot less than I paid to get my return sorted this year.) Can I file my taxes with Cash App? Believe it or not, you can. You can file federal and state free via Cash App Taxes, although you're out of luck if you'll want any sort of live customer support. What is MilTax? If you're an active duty US service member or veteran, you and your family can make use of MilTax, a filing service sponsored by the Department of Defense. With it, you can file your federal return and up to three state returns free. For more about the latest tax changes, find out if taxes on tips are actually going away.
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
3 Small Business Grants To Apply For Before Spring Ends
Despite record-high entrepreneurial interest, small business women-owners (especially women of color) continue to face systemic barriers to financing opportunities. According to the 2024 State of Women's Small Business Report by Block Advisors, nearly half of women entrepreneurs who applied for a bank loan have never been approved; 39% cited a lack of collateral, 37% were denied due to poor credit, and 15% received no explanation at all. The funding gap is even wider for women of color. Based on responses from over 6,000 small business owners, the report found that nearly three-quarters of BIPOC women face challenges securing loans, leaving many shut out of traditional capital pathways. As a result, 89% rely on personal savings and credit cards to fund their businesses, a strategy that can strain long-term financial stability. While some women of color are turning to platform ownership, such as podcasting, to grow their businesses, gain financial control and visibility, the data underscores a broader reality: grants have become essential tools for growth. Unlike loans, they provide non-repayable capital and often include access to professional services, mentorship, and community support. With deadlines approaching, the following three grant opportunities I've researched present a timely chance for small business owners to stabilize and scale their ventures this year. Backed by Block Advisors by H&R Block, the Fund Her Future Grant is offering $100,000 in total funding to help close the gender and racial wealth gap in small business ownership. The program will award one $50,000 grant, five $10,000 grants to women-led businesses, and a year of free expert services designed to help founders build sustainable growth engines. Recipients will receive support in tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll management and business structure analysis, which are critical tools for women navigating entrepreneurship without access to traditional infrastructure. The grant is open to U.S.-based small business owners, regardless of whether they are sole proprietors or operate with a small team. To qualify, businesses must have earned at least $20,000 in revenue in 2024, and applicants must be at least 18 years old (or 19 in Alabama and Nebraska). Nonprofits are not eligible. According to Latasha Randle, Strategy and Small Business Program Manager at Block Advisors, the grant was created in response to deep disparities identified in small business funding. 'As we began to talk to small business owners, we identified the funding gap between men and women. For women of color, the gap was even greater,' Randle said in our conversation in the Brown Way To Money podcast. She adds that while bank loans often require credit history and financial documents, which many new founders do not yet have, this grant is centered more on the founder's story, asking questions like why the business exists and how it impacts the community. From Randle's perspective, the most successful applicants clearly articulate their "why" and show how funding would fuel measurable growth. 'This grant doesn't just give money,' she says. 'It provides services, too. So applicants should communicate how they'd benefit from having someone guide them through tax compliance, payroll, and financial planning.' Applications for the Fund Her Future Grant are open through May 30, 2025. Finalists will be selected for live interviews to share their stories in greater detail. Find more information for their application here. Now in its fifth year, the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program, presented by American Express in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is awarding $50,000 to 50 historic, independently owned restaurants across the United States. The initiative recognizes these establishments' cultural and community value and seeks to help them remain anchored in their neighborhoods amid economic uncertainty. To be eligible, restaurants must be located in historic or older buildings or neighborhoods, contribute to the cultural identity of their community, and tell a compelling story of culinary tradition or local impact. The program is geared toward small establishments with fewer than 100 employees that have been disproportionately affected by economic challenges, disasters, or other disruptions. At least $40,000 of each grant must be used toward public-facing exterior improvements such as signage, lighting, murals, or outdoor seating areas. Up to $10,000 may be used for operations or unrestricted business needs, including digital upgrades. Technical assistance is available to help with project planning and preservation-sensitive improvements. If they obtain landlord approval for renovations, restaurants leasing their buildings can still apply. Applications and public nominations will be accepted through May 30, 2025, but only restaurant owner-submitted applications will be considered for funding. Strong community support, a straightforward historical narrative, and alignment with preservation goals will weigh heavily in the selection process. Find more information about this small business grant here. As part of its ongoing commitment to small business resilience, Verizon is awarding 50 small businesses $10,000 grants this year through its Digital Ready platform, in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Since 2021, Verizon has invested $13.5 million in small business grants awarded to skincare businesses, beauty e-commerce, and others. This round aims to further equip founders with both capital and access to education. To unlock the application, business owners must complete any two eligible courses or virtual events on the Digital Ready platform between January 1 and June 30, 2025 which can take about 30 minutes to one hour to complete. The platform offers hundreds of free tools tailored to small business growth, including marketing, financial management, and operations workshops. Once that requirement is fulfilled, applicants may submit their grant proposals through June 30, 2025. The grant is open to for-profit, U.S.-based businesses owned by individuals 18 or older. Nonprofits are not eligible, and applicants must be able to verify business and financial information if selected. While previous Digital Ready grant recipients may reapply, priority is given to first-time applicants. By blending educational access with real financial support, this grant program creates a meaningful pipeline for entrepreneurs looking to enhance their operations, expand their knowledge, and increase sustainability in a changing market. Find more information about this small business grant here. The bottom line is that programs like Fund Her Future, Verizon Digital Ready, and Backing Historic Small Restaurants go beyond writing checks; they deliver targeted support, visibility, and long-term growth potential. For small business owners ready to take the next step, these opportunities offer more than funding; they represent recognition, validation, and a tangible path forward. With application deadlines rapidly approaching, now is the time to act.
New York Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Tackle taxes like a pro with this $40 H&R Block software deal
Discover startups, services, products and more from our partner StackCommerce. New York Post edits this content, and may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links. TL;DR: Save $10 on the H&R Block Deluxe and State 2024 Tax Software for Windows and Mac and finally file your taxes for just $39.99 (reg. $59.99) Got an extension on your taxes? If you still need to file, but have been procrastinating, let this be your sign. The H&R Block Deluxe and State 2024 Tax Software for Windows and Mac is on sale now for just $39.99 (reg. $59.99), while codes last. While filing just your federal taxes normally costs $60 and most tax software programs would charge you $40 to file your state taxes, this deal on the H&R Block Deluxe and State 2024 Tax Software for Windows and Mac lets you file both for less. Advertisement This combo makes H&R Block software more affordable than TurboTax, while offering similar features. In fact, if you've previously filed with a competitor, H&R Block lets you quickly import last year's filings from other platforms when you're importing your current W-2, 1099, or 1098 forms. Once you've imported your documents, H&R Block Tax Software takes you through the filing step-by-step, making it a great option for first-time filers, freelancers, and investors alike. It also assures you will get the best refund possible, as it goes through 350 credits and deductions to help maximize your tax refund. If you happen to have confusing income from sources like a home sale, investments, stocks, or retirement, you can take advantage of the included income reporting assistance and get the guidance you need. And if you run into any other issues, the help center is filled with searchable articles ready to help. Audit support is also included, so you can rest easy once you're filed. File your taxes with the H&R Block Deluxe and State 2024 Tax Software for Windows and Mac, now just $39.99 (reg. $59.99) StackSocial prices subject to change.
