Free Tax Preparation in Minutes; Refund in Days; Intuit's New Breakth

Free Tax Preparation in Minutes; Refund in Days; Intuit's New Breakthrough SnapTax Slashes Tax Prep Time to Under 30 Minutes

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

    SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2005--In under 30 minutes, less than the time it takes to have a pizza delivered, taxpayers can now prepare and print their tax returns for free with Intuit's (Nasdaq:INTU) new, breakthrough online service, SnapTax, now available at www.snaptax.com.

    File in Minutes

    Designed specifically for paper and pencil filers with simple returns, SnapTax uses easy-to-read, onscreen forms to slash the time it takes to prepare a return. Taxpayers simply enter basic information and then sit back and watch the math being done for them. With SnapTax, the average taxpayer will save more than two hours in tax preparation time compared to doing taxes by hand and save up to $120 compared to what the average tax franchise store charges.

    Refund in Days

    With SnapTax, taxpayers can get their refund back fast -- in as little as 10 days with direct deposit -- by filing electronically. In addition, with electronic filing, customers get email confirmation that the IRS has received their return, giving them peace of mind.
    Until SnapTax, manual tax filers never had much choice to get a faster refund. They typically had to mail their return, hope that the IRS received it or pay extra for certified mail. Then they still had to wait up to six weeks to get their refund.
    Customers can prepare and print federal form 1040EZ and most 1040As for free. Optionally, they can pay $5.95 to electronically file their federal tax return for a faster refund.

    Quantum Leap for Taxpayers

    SnapTax will change how pencil and paper filers prepare their taxes, making it quicker, simpler and more accurate because with SnapTax, customers can:

--	Enter their tax information into easy-to-read forms online. With SnapTax, IRS forms get an extreme makeover. Simple graphics and soothing colors create a more welcoming appeal.
--	See the math being done automatically as they go, instead of having to do the math themselves.
--	Make changes on the spot, so there's no need to erase or start over if they make a mistake. The math is automatically updated throughout the return.
--	Get help line-by-line, in easy-to understand language, eliminating the need to flip back and forth through IRS instruction booklets and worksheets.
--	Be confident their taxes are done right with complete error check and Intuit's accuracy guarantee(1).
--	Print out their return directly onto IRS-approved forms.
--	Choose to print their return and mail it in or electronically file for a faster refund.
--	Save all information on their own computer.

    "My taxes are pretty straightforward and I've been doing them with a pencil and IRS forms for years," said Tanisha Mills, one of the first to try SnapTax. "Then I tried SnapTax! It's just great -- and totally familiar -- there was nothing new to learn. I didn't have to flip back and forth from the IRS instruction booklet and worksheets to my tax return. SnapTax even checked my return for errors. I couldn't believe how quick and easy it was."
    A retail version will be available through limited distribution. For more information or to prepare a return with SnapTax, go to: www.snaptax.com.

    About Intuit Inc.

    Intuit Inc. is a leading provider of business and financial management solutions for small- and mid-sized businesses, consumers and accounting professionals. Its flagship products and services, including QuickBooks(R), Quicken(R) and TurboTax(R) software, simplify small business management and payroll processing, personal finance, and tax preparation and filing. ProSeries(R) and Lacerte(R) are Intuit's leading tax preparation software suites for professional accountants.
    Founded in 1983, Intuit had annual revenue of nearly $1.9 billion in its fiscal year 2004. The company has nearly 7,000 employees, with major offices in 13 states across the United States and offices in Canada and the United Kingdom. More information can be found at www.intuit.com.

    (1) Accurate Calculations Guaranteed. If you pay an IRS or state penalty or interest because of a SnapTax calculation error, Intuit will pay you the penalty and interest. See details at www.turbotax.com/softwarelicense.

    All pricing is subject to change. Intuit, the Intuit logo, among others, are registered trademarks and/or registered service marks of Intuit Inc. in the United States and other countries.

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CONTACT: Intuit Inc. Colleen Ferrin, 858-525-7487 colleen_ferrin@intuit.com or Manning Selvage & Lee Carol Rozio, 323-866-6009 carol.rozio@mslpr.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD BANKING SOFTWARE INTERNET E-COMMERCE PRODUCT SOURCE: Intuit Inc.

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