The  14,009 U.S. returns prepared by the end of the quarter, off from  16,463 in the 2021 season through March 31.

The company reported net income of $673.2 million for the most recently ended period, a decline of 11.2 percent from $748.2 million a year earlier.

The net average charge rose to. $234.59 per cent, for company-owned stores, a 6-percent increase from $221.25 from a. year ago. At franchised operations, the price rose to $229.64 per return, up 9.1 percent from $210.56 per return.

In an earnings webcast for the quarter, CEO Jeff Jones said the increase in average charge was “primarily driven by favorable mix as we serve more complex businesses, and to a lesser extent, low single-digit price increases.” Jones attributed the increase in complex filers to  xpansion of the child tax and earned income tax credits and more retail and crypto investors