H&R Block and Intuit have introduced programs to let tax software users receive help from professionals. In Block's case, the company says its Tax Pro Review is merely a new name for a decade-old program, formerly called the Best of Both Service.

QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions is giving Intuit a boost in desktop sales. Although most of the market is switching to QuickBooks Online, QBES, designed for the lower-end of the midmarket, is showing a strong performance, the company said during the recent earnings webcast for the first quarter ended October 31.

Intuit says the interest of professionals participating in its TurboTax Live program have exceeded its expectations. The program was tested during extension season to see how consumers reacted to using the do-it-yourself program, but being able to contact a professional if they have questions.