REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 18, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced an agreement with SecureTax.com that allows taxpayers for the first time to prepare and file returns electronically on the MSN
™
MoneyCentral
™
personal finance online service, making it easier to file a return and faster to receive a refund. The MSN MoneyCentral tax section ( http://moneycentral.MSN.com/tax/home.asp ) now features both federal and state tax-preparation forms and tools from SecureTax.com. The first tax-preparation and electronic-filing system designed exclusively for the Internet, SecureTax.com has now filed more returns than any other tax site. As of Feb. 4, 1999, SecureTax.com filed 42.9 percent of all online returns generated by Internet and off-the-shelf software.
The addition of SecureTax.com makes MSN MoneyCentral one of the most complete online tax resources available on the Internet. MSN MoneyCentral also features free tax advice from Jeff Schnepper, renowned tax expert and author of the best-selling book
“How to Pay Zero Taxes.”
This free advice is unavailable on any other Web site (connect-time charges may apply).
Other popular MSN MoneyCentral tax tools include the following:
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Deduction Finder helps taxpayers make sure they don’t overlook tax-saving deductions.
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Tax Estimator lets taxpayers easily estimate their tax liability, determine their best filing status and compare their tax liability by varying different tax-influencing factors such as income, deductions, IRA contributions and more.
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Tax Averages lets taxpayers see how their income and deductions compare with averages for other taxpayers in their income bracket and state.
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Quick Reference supplies a comprehensive collection of answers to the most commonly asked tax questions.
“By incorporating SecureTax.com tools and features, the MSN MoneyCentral tax section has become one of the best resources on the Web for taxpayers,”
said Lewis Levin, vice president of the desktop finance division at Microsoft.
“Only MSN MoneyCentral offers consumers the convenience and speed of electronic filing, the ability to ask qualified experts personalized questions and a comprehensive collection of tools to make tax-preparation as hassle-free as possible.”
“SecureTax.com, together with MSN MoneyCentral, brings numerous advantages to all taxpayers on the Net,”
said Randy Tullos, chief executive officer of Universal Tax Systems Inc., which created SecureTax.com.
“SecureTax.com allows consumers to work on tax returns any time, from any location, using any PC with Internet access. It has all the forms, help wizards and calculations needed to file a tax return, and the convenience of electronic filing.”
Receive Tax Refunds up to Five Times Faster
SecureTax.com delivers tax refunds up to five times faster than those delivered to taxpayers filing through regular mail. Taxpayers who file electronically and request direct deposit may receive refunds in as few as eight days. SecureTax.com offers more than 4,000 federal and state tax forms, provides an online tax preparation system for all 45 states with income taxes, and offers electronic filing for all 36 states participating in online filing programs.
SecureTax.com electronic filing is the most affordable filing option available. Taxpayers may complete returns before deciding whether to purchase SecureTax.com services. Whether consumers decide to download and print their returns, or file them electronically, they pay $14.95 for both the 1040 (or 1040A) federal form and the state form, and $9.95 for both the 1040 EZ federal form and the state form. Filing through SecureTax.com is free of charge for all members of the military (connect-time charges may apply).
About SecureTax.com
SecureTax.com is developed by Universal Tax Systems Inc. (UTS), a privately held company headquartered in Rome, Ga. UTS produces the professional tax software product TaxWise® which is used by more than 12,000 CPAs, accountants and other tax professionals worldwide. UTS also provides tax software to more than 3,400 IRS offices and military bases around the globe. During the last two years, UTS has electronically filed more than 5 million tax returns.
About MSN MoneyCentral
MSN MoneyCentral, http://moneycentral.MSN.com/ , rated the top online investment site by Barron’s magazine, is a complete online personal finance resource for consumers,
delivering easy-to-use tools, recommendations from dedicated financial professionals and financial data from more than 15 leading content providers.
MSN MoneyCentral features the top-rated MSN Investor, as well as seven other personal finance areas: Real Estate, Money & Banking, Family Finance, Retirement & Wills, Insurance, Smart Buying and Taxes. MSN MoneyCentral is the online companion to Microsoft Money 99 and offers seamless integration with the award-winning network of MSN services.
About MSN and Microsoft
MSN is the network of Internet services from Microsoft that helps people better organize the Web around what’s important to them. The network of MSN services, located on the Web at
MSN.com ( http://MSN.com/ ), helps people easily stay in touch with friends and colleagues, make smart and secure purchasing decisions, and get more done.
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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