H & R Block aired a commercial during the Super Bowl in 2009. This was H & R Block's first Super Bowl ad since 2004.

In the 2009 commercial, H & R Block made fun of itself, saying the only things certain in life are death and taxes. It featured Abe Vigoda playing the character "Death". Abe Vigoda is an actor that has been mistakenly reported as dead many times. The commercial highlighted their new "Second Look" service that offers taxpayers to have a professional review the 2006, 2007 and 2008 income tax records in hopes of finding them more breaks and files for other refunds that may have been due.Street Insider: H&R Block Super Bowl Ad Tackles Two of Life's Certainties: Death and Taxes (January 26, 2009)

The 2004 Super Bowl commercial for H & R Block featured Willie Nelson as a talking advice doll. The commercial is still noted in many "best of" lists for Super Bowl commercials.

"Death and taxes aren't traditionally humorous topics but we thought we could tackle them in a fun way while still sending an important message to people who want to get more out of their tax return."—Kathy Collins, vice president of marketing for H&R BlockStreet Insider: H&R Block Super Bowl Ad Tackles Two of Life's Certainties: Death and Taxes (January 26, 2009)

| Abe Vigoda

• Mahalo Answers: What do you think of the H and R Block Super Bowl ad?
• YouTube Video: H& R Block Super Bowl "Death and Taxes" Ad (Time: 0:30)