CHICAGO, Illinois - H&R Block Inc, having publicly admitted that its own state taxes were improperly reported, has announced that it is filing a malpractice suit against itself. "We used ourselves for our tax preparation because we wanted the very best," explained CEO Mark Ernst, "Needless to say, we were extremely disappointed in our performance. And we believe we're entitled to damages."

"It's interesting, to say the least." -- legal expert Andy Gance

There is little legal precedent for a corporation seeking damages from itself. "Companies are often divided into smaller corporations," said legal expert Andy Gance, "But you rarely see even these independent entities going to court against one another. I don't know of a case where a single corporation entered into litigation against itself. It's interesting, to say the least."

"This will never see trial," said attorney Mia Tourney, partner of the firm Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe, representing the plaintiff, "The parties are already sitting down together; there will be a settlement. It's the terms that are a sticking point." According to sources close to the matter, H&R Block wants the sum of the fees for the tax work refunded, the fines paid, and an undisclosed sum to cover "public relations damage". H&R Block contends that the mistakes were due to H&R Block's own failure to turn over relevant information. "My client's position is that the so-called mistakes would not have occurred had all the information been available," said Delia Baddlee, for the defense, "And therefore damages would not be appropriate."

If a settlement is not reached, the suit could go to trial as early as September.
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