Preliminary results show the number of returns processed through H&R Block stores and software rose this year. The Kansas City, Mo.-based company said there were 19.9 million returns handled this year, a 2.6-percent increase over fiscal 2017, but assisted returns continued to decline, although only slightly.

H&R Block has named Vinoo Vijay, who was most recently a TD Bank executive, as chief marketing officer. He fills the position left vacant when Kathy Collins left the tax services company in January.

The numbers ought to improve from the statistics reported by the Internal Revenue Service for the period ended April 13. After all, after the agency’s computer systems went down and came back up on Tuesday April 17, the IRS said 14 million returns had been filed by 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 18.