United States of America v. HRB Tax Group, Inc., H&R Block Tax Services LLC and HRB Advance LLC - Settlement Agreement

JURISDICTION

8. At the time of the Complaint, Block LLC, an independent franchise operating under the trade name "H&R Block," operated approximately 150 retail tax offices within the State of Texas.  The offices are places of public accommodation pursuant to 28 C.F.R. § 36.104.  Block LLC, as operator of the offices, was a public accommodation and subject to the requirements of title III of the ADA.  42 U.S.C. § 12184(a); 28 C.F.R. § 36.104.  In November 2008, HRB acquired the assets and certain liabilities of Block LLC, including the Complaint, and therefore is now the proper party to this Agreement.

9. H&R Block is the owner and operator of offices providing tax services and training programs nationwide.  H&R Block Tax Services is a franchisor of offices providing tax services and training programs nationwide.  H&R Block's offices and H&R Block Tax Services franchised offices are places of public accommodation pursuant to 28 C.F.R. § 36.104.  As such, H&R Block and H&R Block Tax Services are public accommodations pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 12181(7)(F), (J) and 28 C.F.R. § 36.104, and are therefore subject to the requirements of title III of the ADA. 

10. The Attorney General of the United States ("Attorney General") is authorized to investigate complaints and bring a civil action in federal district court under title III in any situation where a pattern or practice of discrimination is believed to exist or where discrimination involving a matter of general public importance is raised.  42 U.S.C. §12188. 

11. The United States conducted an investigation into the allegations of the Complaint.  H&R Block, H&R Block Tax Services, and HRB have cooperated fully in the United States's investigation.  The Parties have determined that the United States's Complaint 202-76-97 can be resolved without litigation and have prepared and agreed to resolve the matter pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. 

12. H&R Block, H&R Block Tax Services, HRB, and Block LLC do not admit liability for any wrongdoing by entering into this agreement.

13. In consideration of the terms of this Agreement, the Attorney General agrees to refrain from undertaking further investigation or filing a civil suit in this matter regarding the incident described in Paragraphs 5 and 6 of this Agreement, except as provided in the Enforcement and Implementation sections of the Agreement.