Henry and Richard Bloch are without question among the greatest philanthropists in Kansas City’s history. During their lives, they gave generously of their substantial wealth while remaining humble and engaged citizens of our community. After their deaths, trusts and foundations seeded with their fortunes continue to enrich our city in countless ways.
Yet the same cannot be said for the industry that produced their wealth. It’s true that their company, H&R Block, is one of our city’s foremost corporate success stories. However, that success has been built solidly on the backs of ordinary Americans. The Blochs originated the industry of private tax preparation when the federal government discontinued providing these services to the public in 1955. The costs of these prep services act as taxes in addition to those imposed by federal and state governments. These expenses are measured partly in additional hard-earned dollars, certainly, but perhaps more importantly in endless hours of wasted time and unfathomable amounts of frustration.
H&R Block and companies like it — Jackson Hewitt, Intuit’s TurboTax, Liberty Tax Service and others — have consistently and consciously used their corporate power to stymie efforts that would streamline the tax preparation and filing process for the vast majority of Americans…