Intuit has introduced a free beta version of an Internet-based practice management system that the company says will tie together client management, engagement management and time and billing. The beta program will run through tax season with the company planning to have determined the product's price by the time of the full launch on May 1.

Tax preparation company Jackson Hewitt  this week moved closer to its goal of getting funding for refund anticipations loans for all locations for the next tax season. The company said that Republic Bank, which funded 50 percent of its of RALs last season and had been prepared to do the same in 2011, has agreed to provide funding for refund loans at 80 percent of its locations.