HFAG tau lepton averages

The HFAG-Tau group has computed the world averages of the tau lepton properties using the experimental results available in early 2012. The tau lepton branching fractions, mass and lifetime are used to test lepton universality for charged weak currents and to compute |Vus|. For the first time, all |Vus| measurements based primarily on tau data have been combined in a single measurement. Searches for lepton flavor violating decays of the tau lepton are also summarized.