Block said that "as it continues to plan for the upcoming tax season, it no longer intends to operate any company-owned or franchised offices within Sears locations. The Company believes that exiting Sears will be slightly accretive to fiscal year 2013 earnings as compared to fiscal year 2012 earnings," it said.

In September, CEO Bill Cobb said Block would cut the nuumber of Sears offices to 112 of the best-performing locations, down from 500 Sears sites during the 2012 season. Meanwhile, Block was preparing to expand its number of offices in Wal-Marts. Block operated in 250 Wal-Mart stores during the last tax season. Block had pulled out of Wal-Mart a few years ago and Jackson Hewitt had had an exclusive arrangement with the retail change until Block's return.

Both the Block and Sears announcements were made after the stock market closed on September 28. The Sears press release provided no numbers, but said Jackson Hewitt would operate in a majority of its locations. Sears also said both in-store and online preparation would be available through the tax company.