Your five videos should bring the following articles to life: 

• How to Fill Out a W4
• How to File Taxes Online
• How to Read a W2 / How to Understand a W2
• How to Calculate Capital Gains
• What is Adjusted Gross Income?

Please note this project must film in the US.

Whether you prefer to prep and file your taxes yourself, or whether you'd rather work with a tax pro, H&R Block has the resources, online programs, and expertise you need to personalize your prep and help you have the best possible filing experience every year. If you're not sure which forms you need though, or how to fill them out, or how to file them once you're ready, then it can be hard to gauge which path is right for you. Luckily, H&R Block has a Tax Information Center that is full of articles and guides for all sorts of tax questions, and they're looking to turn five of these articles into easy-to-follow, helpful how-to videos, hosted by real H&R Block tax pros. 

These videos will be aimed primarily at Gen Z audiences who are newer to taxes, so your videos should be approachable and friendly, and present the information in a clear, digestible, and easy-to-follow way. Ultimately, viewers should feel informed and empowered, and should understand not only the tax topics but also their options for, and the benefits of, filing with H&R Block directly. That includes whether they choose to do so in person, online with a tax pro, or on their own using H&R Block's digital tax prep portal.

Your videos will be hosted by actual H&R Block tax pros, and H&R Block will work with the greenlit filmmaker to find one or more tax pros in your area that you can work with. How you approach the content (e.g. whether Q&A, or direct-to-camera, filming in the H&R Block retail office or on a set/location, etc.) is up to you, so long as it feels personable and friendly; we want to hear your ideas, and you should talk us through what you're envisioning in your pitch. Tone and voice will play a big part in the success of your videos, so take that into consideration. While topical education is the primary goal for each video, it's also important that viewers see H&R Block as a trustworthy and customizable tax prep partner no matter how they choose to file. 

Check out the Background for the articles you'll be adapting to video to get a sense of what you'll be covering. For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

 

DELIVERABLES: Five :60-:90 videos (16x9)

 

TIMELINE: HERE

 

EXPOSURE: We anticipate content will be used on the platforms listed below, but if casting talent, please be sure your talent reviews the required Talent Release, as it is not limited to these platforms. You should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices page.

• H&R Block website, including the Tax Information Center; YouTube; social and email promotion.

 

TARGET AUDIENCE: Gen Z audiences; first-time tax filers.

 

TONE: Informative, helpful, upbeat, confident, friendly.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• While you'll be working off of the provided article text, it's crucial that you build a strong call to action to both assisted (with a tax pro in person or online) and DIY filing.
• Cannot make broad statements about H&R Block being "the best" or better than any competitor.

 

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects on our platform do move forward, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any submissions via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.

In order to be considered for this project, you must include the below materials in your pitch submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery.

 

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed out in the Deliverables.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A more detailed and specific description of how you propose to execute all of the content listed out in the Deliverables, both in terms of what we can expect to see, and how you’ll make it. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, cinematography, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• SCRIPT (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create.
  
  
• STORYBOARDS (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show them what you're capable of. Consider submitting a pitch video in which you tell the Sponsor what they can expect should they choose your pitch. Also, test videos, animatics, etc. are welcome. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.

1. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, greenlit Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their Videos, as well as a photograph/headshot OR copy of a photo ID for all On-camera Talent releases. You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec to claim your earnings.
   
   
2. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.
   
   
3. In the event you utilize any third-party materials, such as music provided by a third-party music provider not provided by Tongal, you must obtain full written license and consent from the owner of such third-party materials and provide such license and consent forms to Tongal.
   
   
4. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Videos without providing additional compensation. Remember it's easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.
   
   
5. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p and formatted for the aspect ratios listed in the Deliverables (e.g. 16x9). Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should your submission be greenlit, you will also be required to provide a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec.
   
   
6. BY SUBMITTING A VIDEO ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.
   
   
7. You may not contact any employees or members of the Sponsor's organization, their affiliates, or any of their partners. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification of your entry in the project.
   
   
8. In addition to the judging criteria stated in the OFFICIAL RULES, Pitches will also be evaluated on that member's ability to execute the final Video based on their prior work and experience as a filmmaker.
   
   
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
   
   
10. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor, nor can Submissions contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
    
    
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.