Tax preparation

Challenger banks MoneyLion, Acorns and Moves are partnering with "taxtech" companies to extend free or low-cost filing help to customers.

April and Column Tax are among the startups capitalizing on the idea that taxes are part of a person’s financial life and banks are most suited to help with tax preparation and filing.

The tax preparation giant is diversifying its services with a digital bank that it hopes will entice customers with no-fee features, cash back rewards and early access to paychecks.

Six years after unloading its bank unit, the tax preparation chain wants to diversify by launching a digital account targeting low- and moderate-income households. How will it differentiate itself from upstarts like Chime, Varo and Green Dot?

The original coronavirus stimulus program in 2020 stumbled out of the gate, delaying payments for months and exposing America's lack of universal access to the financial system. With round two, it's the digital rails that are sputtering early on.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is reportedly bringing an influx of consumers to credit unions this tax season, but those institutions are hamstrung on the extent to which they can turn that opportunity into new business.