H&R Block Error Delays 600,000 Refunds

From MarketWatch: 

And it has nothing to do with the intricacies of our confusing tax code:

People turn to preparers for expertise in making sense of the confusing forms, sometimes even the professionals can’t get it right.  

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The error appears to affect anyone with a return prepared and filed by H&R Block prior to February 22, and which included Form 8863, which is used to claim credits related to education.

It's not surprising that errors like this happen when the forms are being revised until the last minute. 

A followup to the above.  From MarketWatch: 

To apologize for the software snafu that delayed hundreds of thousands of refunds, H&R Block is handing out $25 gift cards.

... At least three lawsuits were filed against H&R Block by customers calling for refunds of the tax preparation fees they paid the company –and to be compensated for any difficulties they faced while waiting for their refunds. Angry clients left thousands of complaints on H&R Block’s Facebook page and on Twitter, claiming the delays were causing them to fall behind on bills and complicating the process of applying for college financial aid.

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The IRS was able to issue refunds to “virtually all” taxpayers affected by the software filing glitch by mid-April.