Tax Software

YOUR AFFORDABLE SOLUTION FOR
Tax Software
TaxACT® 2007 Press Kit
Table Of Contents
2
TaxACT Facts
Find out why TaxACT has earned the status of “Value
Leader” and the loyalty of millions of customers.
18
TaxACT
Desktop Editions
Packed with features
so taxpayers can
confidently prepare
their tax returns fast
and easy.
14
What's New For 2007
Find out what features and products are new to
the TaxACT Family for the 2007 Tax Season.
16
20
22
TaxACT Press Releases
Learn about TaxACT’s most recent announcements.
27
TaxACT Company Summary
2nd Story Software and TaxACT Fast Fact Finder.
29
TaxACT Contact Us
Phone, Fax or E-mail TaxACT, we are happy to help.
TaxACT
Business Editions
Additional
Questions
Regarding
TaxACT?
Check out TaxACT’s
Online Media Center at:
www.TaxACT.com/media.
Here you will find an
extensive FAQs section,
logos, sample screens,
box shots, and more!
TAXACT SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
• Operating System: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista
The perfect choice for
preparing business
1065, 1120S, and
1120 tax returns.
• Processor: Pentium or equivalent
• RAM: 64MB recommended
• Monitor: SVGA or better (256 colors minimum)
• Hard Drive Space: 42MB
• Internet Access: Required for e-filing & online features
TaxACT Online Editions
• Web Browser: Internet Explorer version 4.0 or greater
The power of boxed software online. Prepare,
print and e-file taxes conveniently over-the-web.
Anytime. Anywhere.
• Printer & Mouse: Highly recommended
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
www.TaxACT.com
TaxACT® Facts
FROM PRICE TO PERFORMANCE, THERE IS NO
COMPARISON!
Naturally, when a company has the confidence
to lead with a completely FREE product, you’re bound
to gain some attention. And, while we aren’t afraid
to acknowledge that price may be one of the factors
which initially helped the TaxACT brand gain a bit
of exposure; it takes much more than competitive
pricing for a product line, such as
TaxACT, to earn the status of “value-leader” and
the loyalty of millions of customers.
TAXACT ACKNOWLEDGES THE FUNDAMENTALS
& RETAINS THE NO. 2 MOST VISITED ONLINE
DESTINATION FOR TAX PREPARATION SOFTWARE
AND SERVICES!
Customer satisfaction is our bottom line.
Improvements to TaxACT’s interface, content,
and functionality have always been driven by user
feedback; and, the challenges that the majority
of American taxpayers face when preparing and
filing a tax return. Because we have listened to our
customers and have correctly interpreted key trends
among do-it-yourself taxpayers for nearly a decade,
the popularity of TaxACT has flourished – gaining
significant market share. Point of fact, according
to the collective week end-reports provided by
Hitwise during the 2004, 2005, and 2006 primary tax
seasons, TaxACT has been the 2nd most visited online
destination for tax preparation services for three
consecutive years.
Representative of TaxACT’s success is a monthby-month aggregate of the data contained within
Hitwise’s audience measurement week end-reports
for the Business & Finance Accountancy Category,
which details the traffic share of the top three tax
software titles during the 2006 primary tax season –
including TaxACT.
2
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
TAX YEAR 2006 – Web traffic share
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
COMBINED
4-MONTH AVG
TaxACT
14.11%
19.90%
28.27%
21.31%
20.90%
TurboTax
44.70%
46.68%
39.77%
43.54%
43.67%
TaxCut
13.01%
9.95%
7.39%
11.82%
10.54%
All Others
28.18%
23.47%
24.57%
23.33%
24.89%
WHAT MAKES
OUR FREE OFFER
SO UNIQUE?
Simple: TaxACT
Standard enables ALL
American taxpayers
the ability to prepare,
print and e-file their
Federal return at nocharge – no restrictions,
no exceptions to the
rule, no gimmicks, and
no fine print. Since its
inception, 2nd Story
has very much been a
progressive company
as we pioneered the
concept that everyone
can use free tax
software to prepare
their own federal return.
Each year, TaxACT
demonstrates its belief
that no American
taxpayer should be
obligated to pay fees
for basic tax software
www.TaxACT.com
Tax Year 2006 – Web Traffic Share
24.89%
20.90%
10.54%
TaxACT
43.67%
TurboTax
TaxCut
All Others
Data source: Hitwise for 5/1/2006 to 4/28/2007
calculations or, to e-file a federal return. This is a real
testament which validates a software company can
succeed by scaling its fees accordingly for its valueadded software features.
After a decade of service, TaxACT continues to help
American taxpayers combat the complexities of
our nation’s ever-changing tax codes by providing
Web-based tax solutions that help to conserve time,
save money, strategize a tax-savings plan, and avoid
making costly mistakes.
3
TaxACT® Facts
TAXACT OFFERS VALUE BEYOND ITS FREE
STANDARD EDITION
TaxACT Online Standard users can elect to purchase
TaxACT Online 1040 State a la carte – a software
service option, which also includes one (1) free state
e-file. Those choosing to purchase a TaxACT Online
1040 State Edition do so because TaxACT States are
fully integrated with all Federal 1040 versions of
TaxACT – helping them to conserve time and money,
and eliminate the opportunity for costly mistakes to
occur, while ensuring they receive a speedy refund.
Another option available to TaxACT Online Standard
and Online Deluxe Edition users is to upgrade to
TaxACT’s best value package – the Online Ultimate
Bundle. Our Online Ultimate Bundle includes TaxACT
Online Deluxe and Online 1040 State software; and,
includes the ability to e-file one (1) federal and state
return – for a cost less than what our competitors
charge to e-file a single return.
TAXAC T FAC TS
Evidence of TaxACT’s exceptional performance
and popularity is signified, year-after-year, by
independent statistical studies that continue to
demonstrate TaxACT’s ability to grow its traffic share.
For three consecutive tax seasons (2004, 2005, and
2006), TaxACTOnline.com was the 2nd highest visited
online destination for tax preparation services during
the primary tax season.
• According to Hitwise’s week end-reports, beginning
February 20 – April 16, 2005, TaxACT Online
commanded the 2nd highest draw in traffic as
compared to other Web-based tax preparation
services during the 2004 tax season;
• According to Hitwise’s week end-reports, beginning
February 5 – April 29, 2006, TaxACT Online
commanded the 2nd highest draw in traffic as
compared to other Web-based tax preparation
services during the 2005 tax season;
• According to Hitwise’s week end-reports, beginning
January 14 – April 30, 2007, TaxACT Online
commanded the 2nd highest draw in traffic as
compared to other Web-based tax preparation
services during the 2006 tax season; and
• According to a March 14, 2007 press release
posted to the wire by comScore Media Metrix (the
leading Internet audience measurement service
that reports details on online media usage), the
respective Web site visits for Intuit.com, TaxACT.com
and HRBlock.com during Feb. ’07 were equal to 12M,
6.4M and 4M.
4
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
www.TaxACT.com
5
TaxACT® Facts
TRAFFIC SHARE
COMPARISON
BY GENDER
Women represent just
over 62% of all traffic
for TaxACTOnline. This
hold true across the
competitive industry
segment as well.
TaxACT Online Traffic Share by Gender
37.74%
62.25%
Male
Female
Data source: Hitwise for 5/1/2006 to 4/28/2007
TaxACT Online Traffic Share by Age
18.14%
11.97%
23.56%
21.99%
24.32%
18-24
25-34
35-44
Data source: Hitwise for 5/1/2006 to 4/28/2007
45-54
55+
TRAFFIC SHARE
COMPARISON BY AGE
TaxACTOnline’s traffic
share is dominated
by the 25-44
demographic. This
age range represented
a little over 47% of the
web traffic share. The
largest increase with
respect to age in tax
season 2006 was in
the 55+ age group.
Traffic Share
Comparison by
Household
Income (HHI)
Households with an
income between $30k
- $100k represented
slightly less than
60% of all traffic to
TaxACTOnline during
the 2006 tax season.
TaxACT saw its largest
growth in households
with an income under
$30k (2.98%).
TaxACT Online Traffic Share by HHI
4.07%
11.98%
24.47%
<30K
34.24%
30-60K
60-100K
100-150K
>150K
Data source: Hitwise for 5/1/2006 to 4/28/2007
TaxACT continues to show strong growth
year-after-year
In fact, TaxACT saw nearly double the growth rate of
accepted e-file returns compared to the industry as a
whole for tax year 2006.
TAX Season
2005
25.24%
2006
Growth
IRS Online
20,325,903 22,557,848
Returns*
10.98%
TaxACT
Returns**
2,520,742
3,008,873
19.36%
TaxACT
Market Share
12.40%
13.34%
The rankings data is based on
market share of visits, which
is the percentage of online
traffic to the website or industry,
for the months January 2007
through April 2007 from the
Hitwise sample of 10 million
US Internet users. Hitwise
measures more than 1 million
unique websites on a daily
basis, including sub-domains
of larger websites. Hitwise
categorizes websites into
industries on the basis of
subject matter and content, as
well as market orientation and
competitive context.
* Consumer software e-file returns accepted by the IRS
** IRS accepted consumer e-file returns submitted by 2nd Story.
Tax season 2005 & 2006 ending October 2006 & 2007 respectively.
6
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
www.TaxACT.com
7
TaxACT® Facts
TaxAC T – A Class
of Its Own
TaxACT’s ability to
grow its market share
year-after-year goes
well beyond having
an innovative pricing
model. The TaxACT
product line flourishes
because of 2nd Story
Software’s commitment
to consistently turning
out superior products
and dedication to
providing top-notch
customer service
and support.
In fact, where TaxACT
leads, others are now
trying to follow. Why? In
the end, do-it-yourself
(DIY) tax preparers are
investing their time
and money in products
that offer functionality
and content that are
in direct proportion to
their specific situation.
How does TaxACT’s
product line compare
to the competitions’?
We think you will
agree, from price to
performance, TaxACT
is the tax preparation
software value-leader.
8
Entry Level/Standard Software Comparison Chart
TaxACT®
Online
Standard
TurboTax®
Free Online
Edition
TaxCut®
Online
Basic
FREE
FREE
$14.95
$13.95
$30.95
$29.95
Price:
Federal Price: (e-file included)
State Price: (e-file included)
Industry Leadership
TaxACT Standard – The Pioneer of FREE
Our completely FREE products, TaxACT Online
Standard and Standard Software for Windows
support Form 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ. Users can
prepare, print and electronically file one (1) federal
return – again all at no-cost! No restrictions, no
gimmicks, no mail-in rebates. Better still, TaxACT
Standard users can elect to purchase state tax
software without having to pay an inflated cost
to file a state tax return.
What may surprise you is that TaxACT Standard
contains all of the forms that are offered in its
premium counterpart, TaxACT Deluxe, minus Form
1040x. Thus, the Standard Edition is also well-used
among DIY taxpayers that need little handholding
because the program offers complex forms for
Business Income, Capital Gains, Rental Property,
Itemized Deductions, Depreciation and much more.
Ultimately, TaxACT Standard’s popularity is not solely
based on its free sticker price. TaxACT Standard’s real
strength is that it is a robust, fully-functional, easy-touse tax software product.
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
Pioneer of completely free tax
preparation – Free to prepare, Free to
print and Free to e-file
N/A
Has provided free federal tax
preparation software for a decade
N/A
Supports the most diverse group of
tax filers – including Schedule C filers
N/A
Most economical state e-file option
Key Features
Step-by-step interview
Check for errors & flags potential
audit risks
Includes free support via the Web
and e-mail
Year round tax software solution
Preview: October – December
Final: January – October
Information verified 10/26/2007
www.TaxACT.com
9
TaxACT® Facts
Deluxe/Premium Software Comparison Chart
TaxACT®
Online
Deluxe
TurboTax®
Online
deluxe
maximizer
TaxCut®
Online
premium
+ e-file
Price:
Federal Price: (e-file included)
$9.95
$49.95
$19.95
State Price: (e-file included)
$13.95
$39.95
$29.95
Unlimited
session topic
support
Additional
$29.95, limited
to 20 mins of
assistance
Limited to one
“tax advisory
session”
Industry Leadership:
Most economical federal software
product in its class
Most economical state e-file option
Key Features:
Tax topic guidance/support
Life Event Guidance
Looks for deduction opportunities
as you go
TaxAC T Deluxe –
Value Beyond Free
Like the Standard
Edition, TaxACT
Deluxe includes
complex forms, such
as forms for Business
Income, Capital Gains,
Rental Property,
Itemized Deductions,
Depreciation, and more.
Deluxe users have the
added benefit of being
able to access more
in-depth help features,
extra advice, guidance
systems and TaxACT®
TaxPayer Support™
– far below the cost
of comparable tax
packages.
Availability of an All-inclusive Package
TaxACT®
Audit Alerts
TaxCut®
All-inclusive Package:
Offers package
for federal &
state software,
plus federal &
state e-file
Helps find overlooked deductions
TurboTax®
$16.95
$44.95
Online Deluxe
+ State
Premium +
State + E-file
Information verified 11/26/2007
Free Technical Support by Phone,
E-mail, and Over-the web
Information verified 11/26/2007
10
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
www.TaxACT.com
11
TaxACT® Facts
By challenging the development and marketing
conventions that have become common practice
of other tax software producers, TaxACT has been
able to grow and maintain its users by: Doing
something almost unheard of today… Provide a
FREE, no gimmick, fully functional product without
confusing restrictions.
Eliminating the
fine print.
Give consumers savings
upfront. It’s called
“Bottom Line Pricing”.
TaxACT believes savings
should be upfront
and without strings
attached – eliminating
inducements like
rebates, “free” bundled
software, or shopping
reimbursements at
nationwide retailers.
Simply put, rebates
make big corporations
rich by enticing
consumers to think
they are getting a
discount. But, in reality,
few people actually
attempt to redeem or
are able to realize their
rebates – leaving a lot
of money in the pockets
of corporations. TaxACT
also provides it’s users
with consistent pricing.
12
Eradicating expensive marketing
initiatives that cause price increases.
Why don’t I see TaxACT offered in retail outlets? As
you can imagine, we hear that question quite often.
Retail is a great way to gain brand recognition.
Conversely, selling products via the retail channel
tends to cause pricing inconsistencies and increases
– a concept that is completely outside of our
value-vision. By eliminating the middleman and
emphasizing TaxACT’s distribution direct to its
end-users via the Web, our customers never need
to shop around for the “best price”. Plus, we are able
to consistently offer our premium wares at rates
that are far less than what the other tax software
producers promote – even after their rebates have
been applied.
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
Maintaining customer service functions
in-house and within U.S. borders.
All of our development,
marketing, and service/
support functions are
maintained in-house
and are located in Iowa.
The close proximity
of our company’s
departments allows
us to react quickly
and concisely to
customer feedback and
requests. In addition,
2nd Story Software is
dedicated to helping
U.S. taxpayers formulate
and implement wellinformed tax savings
strategies with ease,
while looking out for the
cost-conscious. We do
www.TaxACT.com
so by utilizing the U.S.
labor force exclusively.
It is our company’s
belief that outsourcing
beyond U.S. borders and
to overseas countries
invites an opportunity
for taxpayers’ data
to be at risk and
is likely to create
communication barriers
with our customers. The
environment that we
have established has
enabled us the ability
to have a dialogue with
our customers, which is
the foundation of our
success.
The Translation?
By eliminating the risk
of expense, marketing
responsibly and
targeting our customers’
needs, millions of
Americans have put
TaxACT to the test. Sure,
we realize that some
of our customers may
only need to use our
free product – and we
are glad to help. But by
providing the content
and functionality that
is fundamental to the
preparation of tax
returns, TaxACT’s suite
of products and services
proves its longevity by
continuing to serve its
users as their needs
have changed or grown
more complex.
Do you have additional
questions regarding
TaxACT? Don’t forget to
visit the TaxACT Online
Media Center! At www.
TaxACT.com/media you
will find an extensive
FAQs section, logos,
box shots, and much,
much, more.
13
What's New For 2007
From price to performance – there is no comparison!
And now… TaxACT just got better! Take a look at
some of the new and improved features that TaxACT
Standard and Deluxe offer for the 2007 tax season.
New & Improved Features For TaxAC T®
2007 Standard & Deluxe:
Enhanced! – Improved State Interview.
Resolve your questions quickly and concisely.
Completing your state return has never been easier
with TaxACT’s intuitive and comprehensive interview
process – enabling you to complete your tax return
with confidence.
New Features Available Exclusively
in TaxAC T 2007 Deluxe:
New! – TaxACT® TaxPayer Support™.
Doing your taxes is stressful – especially when you’re
stumped by a tax question. Many do-it-yourselfers
need the guidance of a tax specialist to walk them
through specific tax situations. Via phone or e-mail,
TaxACT TaxPayer Support provides Deluxe desktop
and Online users access to a highly qualified panel of
TaxACT experts at no additional cost.
Enhanced! – Life Events Guidance.
Get the direction you need to manage the events
that have an impact on your unique tax situation.
Pinpoint the deductions and credits you’re eligible
to receive this tax season with even greater precision
while spending less time preparing your tax return.
This season, TaxACT expands its guidance and tax
consequences for 15 major Life Event categories,
including: Bankruptcy, Child Care Expenses,
Community Property Sales, First Job/First Time
Filing, Foreclosure/Abandonment, Foreign Nationals,
Hosting an Exchange Student, Major Illness, Military,
Multiple State Filings, Non-business Bad Debt,
Purchase a Vehicle, Received an IRS Notice,
Received Tip Income, and Sold a Home.
Enhanced! – PDF Printing Capabilities
(desktop Only).
No printer? No Problem. TaxACT’s newly enhanced
PDF printing functionality inside the program now
supports the ability to print anything to a PDF
formatted file. The pdf file is a great convenience
that you can take to a printer anytime, and it makes
14
Enhanced! – Display Screen Auto-sizer
(desktop Only).
Don’t squint to see that form! TaxACT now
programmatically auto-sizes the forms displayed on
your screen to whatever resolution you’re running.
Reading forms on your screen just got a ton easier.
storing a copy of your
return easier. No need
to keep old versions of
TaxACT around just to
view or print your prior
year return.
New! – “Learn More”
Self-help Feature.
Get answers to your
questions faster! Help
is on the way with the
new “Learn More” link
on Quick Q&A Topics.
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
Enhanced! – Q&A
Search Feature.
Have a question about
where to enter your
tax information?
TaxACT’s Q&A Search
feature has been
expanded to include
even more topics. Just
enter the keywords in
the Search Box located
in the top right corner of
TaxACT’s screen.
You’ll immediately be
given a list of relative
tax topics to guide
you to the appropriate
interview question.
www.TaxACT.com
New! – Data Archive service (online only).
Preserve access to your 2007 tax return! In the world
of computers, backing up your files is essential.
But, let’s face it, print outs, discs and saved files get
lost. TaxACT’s Data Archive Service safeguards your
tax return and makes your 2007 tax data available
over-the-Web for 3 years from the date of filing –
24/7, wherever you are. Avoid paying the IRS’ $39
replacement fee for a lost tax return. Online Deluxe
and Standard users can purchase this beneficial
service for the introductory price of $5.95 – $7.95
respectively during the primary tax season.
15
TaxACT® Online Editions
TaxAC T Online
2007 Ultimate
Bundle
(Deluxe + State):
Users may access TaxACT’s Online service by
visiting www.TaxACTOnline.com.
TaxAC T online
2007 standard:
TaxAC T Online 2007 State 1040:
Integrates seamlessly with TaxACT 2007 Online
Deluxe & Standard, plus, the ability to e-file one (1)
state return at no extra cost. (TaxACT supports all
states assessing state income tax. E-filing is available
for all states that accept e-filing.)
Includes the ability to
prepare, print, & e-file
one (1) FREE Federal tax
return. TaxACT Standard
users also receive free
technical support online
as well as by e-mail.
PRICE: FREE
(One Federal Tax Return)
RELEASE DATE:
January 8, 2008
PRICE: $13.95 PER STATE
Includes TaxACT Online
Deluxe, one designated
Online State Edition,
and the ability to
e-file one (1) Federal
and State return at no
additional cost.
PRICE: $16.95
(One Federal Tax
Return)
RELEASE DATE:
January 8, 2008
RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2008
TaxAC T online 2007 Deluxe:
Includes the ability to prepare, print, & e-file one
(1) Federal tax return. Also included are advanced
calculators, reports, convenience features (i.e. the
ability to import past year returns), and a robust
help/alert system including J.K. Lasser’s Your Income
Tax 2008 Guide. Deluxe purchasers also receive free
access to technical support by phone (after dialing
a toll-number) over-the-web, and by e-mail; plus,
TaxACT ® TaxPayer Support™ - a panel of TaxACT tax
experts who specialize in discussing tax topics.
PRICE: $9.95
(One Federal Tax Return)
TaxACT Standard & Deluxe
Online users wanting to prepare
a State return must use TaxACT
Online States.
RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2008
Prices and product offerings are
subject to change without notice.
16
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
www.TaxACT.com
17
TaxACT® Desktop Editions
TaxAC T 2007
Ultimate Bundle
(Deluxe + State):
Users may download TaxACT software by visiting
www.TaxACT.com. Prefer to order TaxACT on CD-ROM
and have the software shipped? Orders for TaxACT on
CD may be placed at www.TaxACT.com, or by calling
2nd Story’s Sales Department at (800) 573-4287.
TaxAC T 2007 State 1040:
TaxAC T 2007
standard:
Integrates seamlessly with TaxACT 2007 Deluxe &
Standard. TaxACT supports all states assessing state
income tax. State e-filing is available for all states that
accept e-filing. The cost to e-file is $7.95 per return.
Includes the ability to
prepare, print, & e-file
one (1) FREE Federal tax
return. TaxACT Standard
users also receive free
technical support online
as well as by e-mail.
PRICE: FREE
(One Federal Tax Return)
RELEASE DATE:
January 8, 2008
PRICE: $13.95 PER STATE
(Unlimited paper returns.)
RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2008
PRICE: $19.95
(Unlimited paper
returns. One federal
e-file return*)
RELEASE DATE:
January 8, 2008
TaxAC T 2007 Deluxe:
Includes the ability to prepare, print, & e-file one
(1) Federal tax return*. Also included are advanced
calculators, reports, convenience features (e.g. the
ability to import past year returns), and a robust
help/alert system including J.K. Lasser’s Your Income
Tax 2008 Guide. Deluxe purchasers also receive free
access to technical support by phone (after dialing
a toll-number) over-the-web, and by e-mail; plus,
TaxACT ® TaxPayer Support™ - a panel of TaxACT tax
experts who specialize in discussing tax topics.
Prices and product offerings are
subject to change without notice.
*Additional e-file returns are
$7.95 each. Up to 5 e-file returns
allowed.
PRICE: $12.95
(Unlimited paper returns. One federal e-file return*)
* CD-ROM shipping & handling
fees apply ($5.95 per order).
Additionally, desktop users
wanting to prepare a State
must use TaxACT State
Editions on desktop.
RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2008
18
Includes TaxACT Deluxe,
one designated State
Edition, and the ability
to e-file one (1) Federal
return at no additional
cost. Additional federal
and state e-files are
$7.95 each, up to 5
e-file returns allowed.
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
www.TaxACT.com
19
TaxACT® Business Editions
TaxACT Business Editions are the perfect choice
for preparing 1065, 1120S, and 1120 tax returns.
Business Editions are available on CD-ROM* or can
be downloaded straight to your computer. Orders
may be place at www.TaxACT.com, or by calling 2nd
Story’s Sales Department at (800) 573-4287.
TaxAC T 2007
state 1120S:
Includes TaxACT 2007 Deluxe, one (1) TaxACT 1040
State Edition, TaxACT 2007 Business 1065 & one (1)
free electronically filed 1040 Federal return.
Includes seamless
integration with TaxACT
2007 1120S. (State
package are available
for the following states:
AZ, FL, CA, GA, IA, IL, IN,
MN, MO, NY, SC & WI
PRICE: $44.95
TaxAC T 2007
business 1065:
TaxAC T 2007 Home & Business
1120S Bundle:
Includes the forms,
schedules & worksheets
to prepare Form 1065
for a partnership return.
Includes TaxACT 2007 Deluxe, one (1) TaxACT 1040
State Edition, TaxACT 2007 Business 1120S & one (1)
free electronically filed 1040 Federal return.
PRICE: $44.95
PRICE: $22.95
(One Federal Tax Return)
RELEASE DATE:
January 8, 2008
TaxAC T 2007 Home & Business
1065 Bundle:
TaxAC T 2007 Business 1120S:
Includes the forms, schedules & worksheets to
prepare Form 1120S for an S Corporation return.
PRICE: $22.95
(One Federal Tax Return)
TaxAC T 2007 Home & Business
1120 Bundle:
Includes TaxACT 2007 Deluxe, one (1) TaxACT 1040
State Edition, TaxACT 2007 Business 1120 & one (1)
free electronically filed 1040 Federal return.
PRICE: $13.95
per state
TaxAC T 2007
state 1120:
Includes seamless
integration with TaxACT
2007 1120. (State
package are available
for the following states:
FL, NY, & WI
PRICE: $13.95
per state
PRICE: $44.95
TaxAC T 2007 Business 1120:
Includes the forms, schedules, & worksheets to
prepare Form 1120 for a C Corporation return.
TaxAC T 2007 state 1065:
PRICE: $22.95
(One Federal Tax Return)
Includes seamless integration with TaxACT 2007
1065. State package are available for the following
states: AZ, FL, CA, GA, IA, IL, IN, MN, MO, NY, SC & WI
PRICE: $13.95 per state
TaxACT 2007 Business Editions
allow users to prepare one
return only.
Prices and product offerings are
subject to change without notice.
* Purchasers ordering software
on CD-ROM will need to include
$5.95 for shipping & handling.
20
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
www.TaxACT.com
21
TaxACT® Press Releases
TaxACT Online (overthe-Web) or TaxACT
software (a download
file that installs to their
hard drive).
Choosing the right TaxACT product is contingent
upon the taxpayer’s situation and the amount of
assistance that s/he may need to recognize & take
full advantage of the various deductions & credits
that one is entitled to claim. TaxACT Standard, a
popular choice among those who traditionally file
a straight-forward federal return is free to prepare,
print & e-file. The Deluxe version, which is $9.95
when you choose to print or e-file a federal return, is
packed with additional help & guidance. In addition,
consumers can choose between two platforms:
All taxpayers are
encouraged to put
TaxACT’s free Deluxe
Preview Edition to the
task of calculating their
2007 tax liability for a
FREE end-of-the-yearcheck-up – helping to
minimize their tax bill
& maximize personal
savings. This unique &
powerful tax planning
service provides an
easy-to-use interview
format that helps
taxpayers conduct a
thorough analysis of
their tax situation. For
the second consecutive
year taxpayers can
perform end-of-year
tax planning for both
their federal & state
taxes with the TaxACT
State Planner feature.
Visitors need only to
complete the site’s free
online registration to
gain access to TaxACT’s
Online Deluxe Preview
version to generate a
forecasted federal &
state income tax refund
22
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
Get A Head Start On Year-End Tax
Planning
Maximize your return fast & FREE with
TaxACT 2007 Preview Products
Cedar Rapids, IA—October 2, 2007
2nd Story Software®, Inc., developers of TaxACT®
software, celebrates ten years of free federal Webbased tax preparation software and announces the
immediate release of TaxACT® 2007 Preview
products – now available.
As a trusted and secure source for tax preparation
& electronic filing services for millions of taxpayers,
TaxACT.com is the only Web-based tax planning
and preparation solution to offer taxpayers a
year-round solution.
or liability amount –
providing users with
valuable insight into
their tax situation.
“The tax code is
dynamic – subject to
change every year.
Couple that with even
the smallest change
to your personal
circumstances and
the impact on your
tax liability can be
tremendous,” says
Stephanie Behrends,
spokeswoman for 2nd
Story Software, Inc.
Behrends continues,
“While early tax
www.TaxACT.com
preparation offers filers
a distinct opportunity
to coordinate the
lion’s share of financial
information and
documents, the real
goal of effective tax
planning is to reduce
your tax liability. To
reach that objective,
taxpayers have turned
to TaxACT Preview as
it is a workhorse that
helps users to formulate
a comprehensive tax
planning strategy –
providing them with
tax guidance, tips,
calculators, access to
the most current tax
laws & more.”
Deluxe Preview outlines
tax-savings strategies
tailored to your unique
tax situation which
can be implemented
prior to the end of the
year—helping you to
save money on your
taxes. Other Deluxeonly features include
access to: additional
forms, calculators &
reports. Plus, Deluxe
integrates America’s
all-time best selling tax
guide, J.K. Lasser’s™
Your Income Tax Guide
by John Wiley & Sons,
Inc.; this contextsensitive, line-by-line
help provides insight
to complex tax laws,
planning opportunities,
& potential pitfalls to
avoid based on recent
tax law changes &
pending legislation
before Congress.
23
TaxACT® Press Releases
the steady expansion
of households who
find themselves hit by
the AMT -- especially
households with a
large number of
children, education
credits, residential
energy credit and/or
state and local taxes.
Don’ t Suffer the Alternative – The
Alternative Minimum Tax That Is
Reduce the effect of AMT by using
TaxACT® 2007 Preview
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA—October 24, 2007
The individual Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT),
implemented in 1969, is a parallel income tax system
that was created to prevent 155 wealthy Americans
from aggressively using tax credits, deductions, and
legal tax shelters as tools to help them avoid having
to pay federal income tax. The idea was simple:
Create a minimum tax that ensured everyone pays
Uncle Sam his due.
Fast forward to present day and you’ll find millions
of middle-income Americans are now getting snared
by the AMT. The main reason the AMT now reaches
into the pockets of the middle-class is because
regular income tax brackets are indexed for inflation
but the AMT thresholds are not. The result has been
24
Why haven’t Americans
been clamoring for an
immediate overhaul to
the AMT? Thus far, the
full effects of the AMT
have been deferred
by Congress enacting
a series of temporary
patches -- boosting the
amount of the AMT
exemption.
The last temporary fix to
increase the exemption,
however, expired at the
end of 2006. If Congress
fails to ratify another
provisional one-year
increase in the next few
months, the number
of households paying
the AMT will escalate
exponentially from
approximately 4 million
in 2006 to nearly 23
million for 2007.
under the AMT, filers must calculate their taxes under
both the regular tax and AMT systems – making the
“Alternative Minimum Tax” tax a bit of a misnomer
considering taxpayers must pay the higher of the
two. The biggest factor impacting AMT filers is
that they are no longer eligible to claim certain
deductions and exemptions (i.e. education credits,
child care credits, and the deduction for state and
local taxes).
Sound complicated? It can be if taxpayers don’t plan
ahead and use the tools that are available to them as
a significant portion of taxpayers may be surprised
when they are suddenly hit with a big tax bill, plus
possible penalties come next April. Some planning
tools are even free, such as the tool offered by 2nd
Story Software®, Inc., – makers of the popular tax
program TaxACT.
“It seems unlikely that lawmakers will fail to pass
another patch to serve as a quick fix to hold down
the reach of the AMT. Guessing wrong, however,
could prove costly. Unfortunately, there are a vast
number of factors that will trigger the alternative
tax for any given taxpayer,” says Stephanie Behrends,
spokeswoman for 2nd Story Software.
“TaxACT Preview is a taxpayer’s ally allowing users
to perform what-if scenarios to determine their
To determine if a
taxpayer owes tax
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
www.TaxACT.com
estimated tax liability.
Users simply need to
step through the TaxACT
interview entering their
forecasted income
and deductions for the
tax year by answering
simple questions
in layman’s terms.
TaxACT simultaneously
calculates your
projected tax with the
regular tax system and
the AMT system based
on the taxpayer’s tax
bracket and the most
recent tax information
available.”
Behrends continues,
“TaxACT Preview
provides valuable
forecasting information.
TaxACT Preview will
compute the AMT
and limit tax credits as
appropriate based on
the 2007 draft version of
Form 6251 – Alternative
Minimum Tax – for
Individuals (the amount
if Congress doesn’t pass
an extension) to show
the full impact of the
AMT; or, estimates can
be based on the 2006
Form 6251 instructions
(assuming Congress
enacts the same
25
TaxACT® Press Releases
TaxACT® Company Summary
temporary patch to AMT
as last year).”
TaxAC T Overview:
Online Product Offerings:
Dedicated to providing
consumers with webbased tax resources
for a decade, TaxACT is
America’s value-leader
in tax preparation
software and consumer
services. TaxACT is the
nation’s pioneer and
trusted leader of free
e-filing services directly
to consumers.
TaxACT Online Standard
FREE over-the-Web tax service. Users can prepare,
print and e-file one (1) Federal return at no-cost.
Visitors need only to
complete the site’s free
online registration to
gain access to TaxACT’s
Online Deluxe Preview
version at www.TaxACT.
com to generate a
forecasted federal and
state income tax refund
or liability amount –
providing users with
valuable insight into
their tax situation. Once
the Final version of
TaxACT releases in early
January 2008, users can
easily finalize their tax
return and print and/
or e-file their federal tax
return for just $9.95.
About TaxACT
As a trusted and secure source for tax preparation
and electronic filing services for millions of taxpayers,
TaxACT.com is the only Web-based tax planning and
preparation solution to offer taxpayers a year-round
solution.
TaxACT is the pioneer of totally free federal taxpreparation software and online services. Dedicated
to providing consumers with a complete Webbased tax resource for a decade, TaxACTOnline.com
is the 2nd most visited online destination for tax
preparation services.(1) Designed to make preparing
taxes electronically possible for everyone for little
to no-cost, TaxACT was the first to offer free federal
electronic tax preparation, printing and electronic
filing services directly to all American taxpayers.
About 2nd Story Software, Inc.
2nd Story Software, a privately held company
founded in 1998, is critically acclaimed as being
a leader in developing and marketing affordable
tax preparation software and Web-based services
directly to consumers. The comprehensive suite of
TaxACT products continues to empower its users to
devise well-informed tax strategies with ease, while
looking out for the cost-conscious. More information
regarding 2nd Story and the TaxACT product line
may be found by visiting www.TaxACT.com.
(1) According to collective week end-reports released by Hitwise™
during the 2004, 2005, 2006 primary tax seasons, TaxACT Online
ranked second in the percentage of traffic it received as compared
to other monitored Web-based tax preparation services. More
information regarding Hitwise may be viewed by visiting
www.hitwise.com.
2nd Story
Software
Overview:
Founded in 1998, 2nd
Story Software is a
privately held company
and the pioneer and a
leader in developing &
marketing affordable
tax preparation software
and Web-based services
directly to consumers.
TaxACT Online Deluxe
$9.95 over-the-Web tax service. This premium service
provides advanced planning and convenience
features, as well as one (1) free Federal e-file.
TaxACT Online Ultimate Bundle
$16.95 over-the-Web tax service including TaxACT
Online Deluxe and TaxACT Online 1040 State for one
low price. Also included: one (1) free Federal and one
(1) State e-file.
TaxACT Online State 1040
$13.95 over-the-Web TaxACT 1040 State software.
Also included: one (1) free state e-file.
During March 2005, 2nd
Story completed an $85
million recapitalization
with TA Associates, a
leading Boston-based,
private equity firm.
2nd Story Software, Inc., company and product logos, TaxACT and
TaxACT Online, among others, are registered trademarks of 2nd Story
Software. Other party trademarks or service marks are the property of
their respective owners and should be treated as such.
26
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
www.TaxACT.com
27
TaxACT® Company Summary
TaxACT® Contact Us
Desktop Product Offerings:
"This was my first time using TaxACTOnline.com, and
I was very pleased with the process. It was easy and
quick. It only took 10 days & my refund is already in
my account. I would recommend TaxACT to anyone!"
TaxACT Standard
Free Federal tax software download. Users can
prepare, print and e-file one (1) Federal return
at no-cost.
Francine S. – Wolcott, CT
TaxACT Deluxe
$12.95 Federal tax software download. Provides
advanced planning and convenience features, as
well as one (1) free Federal e-file.
Media
RELATIONS
CONTAC T:
TaxACT Ultimate Bundle
$19.95 software download including TaxACT Deluxe
and TaxACT 1040 State. Also included: one (1) free
Federal e-file.
Stephanie Behrends
Public Relations
TaxACT State 1040
$13.95 TaxACT State 1040 software download.
Manager
Phone:
(319) 373-3600
Company President:
Lance Dunn
Lance Dunn joined 2nd
Story Software, Inc., in
1998 as President. As a
veteran of the financial
software industry,
Dunn came to 2nd
Story from Parsons
Technology, a softwaredevelopment company,
where he served as Vice
President of Software
Development for the
finance, reference and
utility units. A Certified
Public Accountant
28
since 1985 and former
Senior Tax Analyst
with Ernst & Young,
Dunn is an expert in
tax preparation and
played an integral role
in bringing 2nd Story
Software’s turn-key
product, TaxACT, to
the forefront of the tax
software industry.
Dunn, his wife and two
children live in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa, where he
is an active member of
the community.
He serves as a member
of the Iowa Society
of CPA’s as well as
the Entrepreneurial
Development Center
Advisory Board of
Cedar Rapids.
Fax:
(319) 373-0636
E-mail:
[email protected]
2ND STORY
Information:
SOFTWARE
Sales Line:
5925
(800) 573-4287
Dry Creek
Sales Fax:
(319) 447-4674
Support Line:
Dunn earned his
bachelor’s degree in
business administration
and accounting from
Coe College in
Cedar Rapids.
TaxACT 2007 Press Kit
Sales & Support
(319) 373-4514
E-mail:
Lane NE
Cedar Rapids
IA 52402
www.TaxACT.com
www.TaxACTOnline.com
[email protected]
www.TaxACT.com
29
2ND STORY
SOFTWARE
5925
Dry Creek
Lane NE
Cedar Rapids
IA 52402
www.TaxACT.com
Copyright © 2007
2nd Story Software, Inc.
All rights reserved.