H&R Block has agreed to provide access to its website and mobile applications to those with disabilities. If approved, the agreement will close legal action brought against the tax services giant by the U.S. Civil Rights Division that alleged the company technology was designed so "that individuals with disabilities are denied full and equal enjoyment of largely tax-preparation focused goods and services that are provided through H&R Block's website and mobile applications."

The United States has asked a federal court that Melissa Alvarez, a Texas tax preparer, be prohibited from preparing federal income tax returns for others. The Department of Justice alleges that of the tax returns examined that were prepared by Alvarez and her three companies, 97 percent had refunds that were inflated Alvarez's actions.

The Internal Revenue Service, which issued few numbers about tax season results in 2013 until the season ended, has been publishing them regularly this year. And for the season through February 21, the number of returns processed and the amount of refunds issue continue to show double-digit gains over the prior year.