H&R Block used an investor's day this week  to come out with all guns blazing at the rest of the tax preparation market, especially Intuit. Executives said that in the next tax season the company would offer free RACs, expand its Emerald Card program by 1 million and challenged Intuit's assumption that digital tax preparation is outstripping assisted preparation.

Drake Software is readying SecureFilePro, a file exchange portal that will be ready for tax season. Franklin, N.C.-based Drake says the product will launch next month. SecureFilePro gives tax professionals a customized web address and the ability to brand the site with their businesses' name and logo. Taxpayers will also be able to upload documents such as tax returns.

The Internal Revenue Service has established standards for organizations to become IRS-approved Continuing Education Providers. The agency also set requirements for IRS CE Accrediting organizations.This is part of the process for implementing continuing education requirements for tax return preparers. Those required to take the Registered Tax Return Preparer competency test before the end of 2013 must complete 15 hours of courses next year.

Intuit is offering taxpayers free advice via TurboTax for 2011. The company says that purchasers of the latest version of its dominant consumer tax preparation package can get advice from professionals via phone or live chat as part of its "Ask a Tax Expert Service." The system also offers tax preparation and filing via the iPad.