H&R Block was founded by brothers Henry and Richard Bloch in 1955.
The brothers began by offering tax-preparation services in Kansas City, Missouri. Their business expanded through a network of offices, including franchised locations, making professional tax help available in many communities during the annual filing season.
The company name comes from the founders’ initials: Henry and Richard. A third brother, Leon Bloch, was also involved in the early business, although the company is best known by the H&R Block name. The firm later added financial and tax-related services beyond its original preparation work.
H&R Block is sometimes mixed up with Jackson Hewitt or Liberty Tax because all are recognizable tax-preparation brands with retail offices. The founding date and the Bloch brothers distinguish H&R Block from those competitors.