Futuretrust(R) and H&R Block(R) Make Saving for College Less Taxing

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) and Futuretrust(R) are teaming up this tax season to help families save for college.

When a Futuretrust MasterCard(R) is used to pay for tax preparation at any participating H&R Block retail office, H&R Block will make a contribution to the client's 529 college savings plan. New clients will receive a $20 contribution, and existing clients will receive a $10 contribution.

Futuretrust is a no-cap, no-fee, MasterCard-linked college savings program that helps families get a "jump" on saving for college by automatically contributing a portion of a member's purchases to any tax-free 529 college savings plan of their choice.

Having a child is a life-changing event that triggers tax advantages. New parents can benefit from consulting their tax professional for information on key tax credits and incentives such as:

   -- Child Tax Credit: Parents may claim a tax credit of up to $1,000 for
      each child they claim as a dependent.
   -- Dependent Care Credit: If parents pay someone to care for their child
      while working, a tax credit is available for day care expenses.
   -- College Savings: Through qualified tuition programs and education
      savings accounts, parents are rewarded for saving.

"The tax implications that stem from having a child, make the link between H&R Block and Futuretrust a natural one," said Phil Bowman, vice president of marketing for H&R Block. "This partnership provides an opportunity for us to inform new families of the tax incentives available to them and allows H&R Block to help growing families start to save."

"Futuretrust is determined to add the best partners to our Preferred Merchant Network to provide increased opportunities for our members," said Futuretrust Founder and President of Mothers Work, Rebecca Matthias. "Futuretrust is an amazing program that helps families prepare for their child's education and H&R Block is a highly valued and respected addition. With a new baby comes new responsibilities and together, Futuretrust and H&R Block can help make life easier for new parents, both in college savings and through an improved tax plan. With Futuretrust, it is possible to put money away every day with little effort and partnering with H&R Block provides our members access to experienced professionals who can help explain and manage every client's tax plan."

Futuretrust can be linked to any 529 plan and members can sign up for a 529 plan through partners such as TIAA-CREF(R) and AXA Advisors, LLC(R). Unlike other savings programs, Futuretrust has no cap on the rebates earned and no limit to the amount members can save. Members also earn additional college savings when they use the Futuretrust MasterCard at over 500 retail partners in the Futuretrust Preferred Merchant Network, now including H&R Block.

Applications to join Futuretrust are available at over 800 Motherhood(R) Maternity, Mimi Maternity(R), A Pea in the Pod(R) and Destination Maternity(TM) locations, online at http://www.futuretrust.com/ or by calling 1.888.trust68. There is no cost to join.

About Futuretrust(R)

Futuretrust(R) is a MasterCard(R)-linked college savings program that enables families and friends to get a "jump" on saving for college. Futuretrust has no membership fee. Rebates are automatically contributed to a tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan of the member's choice. Members earn a minimum of 1% every time they make a purchase with the Futuretrust MasterCard, accepted at millions of locations. Members also earn additional college savings when they use the Futuretrust MasterCard at thousands of partners in the Futuretrust Preferred Merchant Network consisting of major retail chains, catalogs, restaurants and online merchants. Members can also earn college savings rebates when they buy, sell, finance, or refinance a home, as well as moving services and home warranty transactions. Applications are available at over 800 Motherhood(R) Maternity, Mimi Maternity(R), A Pea in the Pod(R) and Destination Maternity(TM) locations, online at http://www.futuretrust.com/ or by calling 1.888.trust68.

About Mothers Work

Mothers Work, Inc. is the world's largest designer and retailer of maternity apparel, using its custom TrendTrack(TM) merchandise analysis and planning system as well as its quick response replenishment process to "give the customer what she wants, when she wants it." As of November 30, 2006, Mothers Work operates 1,597 maternity locations, including 809 stores, predominantly under the trade names Motherhood Maternity(R), A Pea in the Pod(R), Mimi Maternity(R), and Destination Maternity(TM), and sells on the web through its DestinationMaternity.com and brand-specific websites.

About H&R Block

H&R Block Inc. is a leading provider of tax, financial, mortgage, accounting and business consulting services and products. It is the world's largest tax services provider, having prepared more than 400 million tax returns since 1955. H&R Block and its subsidiaries generated revenues of $4.9 billion and net income of $490 million in fiscal year 2006. The company operates in four principal business segments: Tax Services (income tax preparation and advice via in-office, online and software solutions); Mortgage Services (non-prime mortgage originations and loan servicing); Business Services (tax, accounting and consulting services for midsized businesses); and Consumer Financial Services (investment and financial advisory services, retail mortgage loans and banking services). Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, H&R Block markets its services and products under three leading brands - H&R Block, Option One and RSM McGladrey. For more information visit H&R Block's Online Press Center at http://www.hrblock.com/presscenter.

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