REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 11, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced a double rebate promotion for its Money 99 personal finance software. Between Jan. 1 and March 31, consumers who obtain Microsoft® Money 99 Basic, Money 99 Financial Suite or Money 99 Personal and Business along with either Kiplinger’s TaxCut or Intuit’s TurboTax may double their current Microsoft Money 99 rebate. With this tax-season rebate, consumers can receive up to $50 off the cost of Money 99 and an accompanying tax product.
Richard Bray, Microsoft Money product unit manager, said the double rebate allows first-time or existing Money users to take control of their tax preparation and filing this year for a remarkable price.
“It’s a virtually risk-free way for consumers to see how easy and effective Microsoft Money 99 is at helping them accurately plan and manage their taxes and finances. Since a significant number of Money customers also use tax preparation software, this promotion is a clear win for them.”
Money 99 Tax Features
Microsoft Money 99 provides tools that help consumers accurately and quickly prepare their finances for tax time:
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Tax Deduction Finder. Identify potential deductions through an easy step-by-step process.
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Tax worksheet. Estimate taxes throughout the year to better manage withholding, and even schedule a refund or tax bill in advance.
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Tax exchange format. Easily export financial information from Money 99 to tax preparation software, including Kiplinger’s TaxCut or Intuit’s TurboTax products, using an industry-standard Tax Exchange Format, or TXF.
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Tax-related articles. Read more than 30 articles on taxes, such as
“The 10 Most Overlooked Deductions.”
(Microsoft Money 99 Financial Suite and Personal and Business versions only.)
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Tax calculators. Use several tax calculators, such as the Tax Relief Act calculator, which helps users understand how recent changes to the tax laws will affect them.
The start of tax season is an ideal time to organize personal finances. Money 99 helps consumers with scheduling tax payments and provides the tools necessary for them to make educated decisions on how to invest their tax savings or refunds.
Money 99 Rebate Program Strengthens Retail Sales
With customers acquiring more than 4 million tax software programs during the tax quarter, Microsoft is providing consumers with a valuable rebate promotion this year.
“This is a great rebate promotion for consumers,”
said David Figler, software product manager at Staples.
“Consumers walk away with terrific software at a remarkable value.”
MSN MoneyCentral Tax Strategy Tools
Users also have access to the MSN
™
MoneyCentral
™
personal finance online service, the online companion to Microsoft Money 99, which features tools to research auditing, capital gains, estate taxes and more. Users can benefit from a variety of tax-related articles, including tips from MSN MoneyCentral tax expert Jeff Schnepper, author of the best-selling book
“How to Pay Zero Taxes.”
Schnepper, a former professor of taxation, accounting and finance, answers consumers’ tax questions in the Ask the Expert feature.
MSN MoneyCentral also features the easy-to-use Quick Reference section, which provides a comprehensive set of answers to the most common questions about taxes. Consumers can visit MSN MoneyCentral at http://moneycentral.MSN.com/ .
About Microsoft Money 99 Products
The Microsoft Money 99 product line provides consumers with all the features they need to manage their finances effectively and accurately. Money 99 Basic helps users easily perform core financial tasks, including paying bills, creating a budget and reducing debt, in a smarter and faster way. Money 99 Financial Suite features personalized and long-term financial planning tools as well as award-winning investment services and seamless Web integration to enable consumers to make smarter financial decisions. Money 99 Personal & Business combines all the functionality of Money 99 Financial Suite with business management tools designed specifically for sole proprietors.
About MSN MoneyCentral
MSN MoneyCentral, rated the top online investment service by Barron’s magazine, is a complete online personal finance resource for consumers, delivering easy-to-use tools, recommendations from dedicated financial professionals, financial data from more than 15 leading content providers, and seamless integration with the award-winning network of MSN services.
MSN MoneyCentral features the award-winning MSN Investor at , which helps users track their investments, get new investing ideas, research their next investment, and find thoughtful and informative editorial content written by leading financial experts who can keep them up to date on the market. The editorial goal of MoneyCentral is to provide a forum for investment ideas. Investor’s articles and columns of MSN MoneyCentral should not be construed as investment advice, nor does their appearance imply an endorsement by Microsoft Corp. of any specific security or trading strategy. An investor’s best course of action must be based on individual circumstances.
Pricing and Availability
Microsoft is offering consumers a double rebate when they acquire both Money 99 Financial Suite, Money 99 Basic or Money 99 Personal & Business and TurboTax Standard, TurboTax Deluxe, TaxCut for Windows® or TaxCut Deluxe for Multimedia between Jan. 1, 1999, and March 31, 1999. Consumers must send their completed mail-in rebate coupon and valid proofs of purchase before April 15, 1999.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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Microsoft, MSN, MoneyCentral and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
* Single rebates are available for all Money 99 products acquired through Nov. 30, 1999 (valid in the 50 United States and District of Columbia only).
**Double rebates valid in the United States between Jan. 1, 1999, and March 31, 1999 (valid in the 50 United States and District of Columbia only). All completed mail-in rebate coupons must be accompanied by proof of purchase and received before April 15, 1999. Existing customers of Money 99 Financial Suite who acquire Money 99 Personal and Business with a qualifying tax product are not eligible for the additional $15 rebate that is described on the Personal and Business product box.
For more information, press only:
Darren Stordahl, Shandwick, (425) 452-5400, [email protected]
Kelley McGrath, Shandwick, (425) 452-5400, [email protected]
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.
