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.

Three Florida siblings tax preparers are targets of government effort to block them from operating tax businesses and to disgorge ill-gotten fees. The three are siblings of Walner Gachette, who operated Loan Buy Sell, a franchised chain that the Department of Justice succeeded in shutting down in 2014.

CCH CPELink, a unit of Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, is offering live federal tax update conferences next month. Along with those events in New York, N.Y., and Pittsburg, Pa., there are also new tax webinars available.

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.