Meta Financial Group, which had been expected to fund a refund loan program, has ruled out the possibility of funding loans for the upcoming tax season through its Meta Payments Division. In an SEC filing, the bank reported it had concluded it would be unable to get the necessary federal approval to offer any tax-related programs in 2011. The language Meta used also indicates it would not provide a tax refund transfer program.

As Sage reported North American revenue had dropped for the year ended September 30, it also said that Sue Swenson, CEO of the largest unit in Sage's organization, will retire next year from the position she has held since March 2008 to be replaced by the current CEO of Sage France. That's following Guy Berruyer, another Frenchman, having become chief executive of the British parent Sage Group in October.

Tax and accounting professionals are requesting new features for mobile applications faster than the vendors can produce them. And It's clear that users are embracing mobile practice management, tax research and other features that have hit the market in the last few months and which are going to multiply rapidly over short-term, including time entry and efile status tracking.