Press Releases

WebTurboTax allows taxpayers to easily complete all the same Federal and State income tax returns as with TurboTax desktop software, but with the added convenience of preparing and filing their tax returns on the Web. Users also benefit by being able to tackle their taxes anytime, and anywhere, in a Web-browser format familiar to millions of Americans.

"With more than 15 years in the tax business, we've learned that more and more Americans are becoming confident and comfortable with the Internet, and that they are opting to use it for financial transactions," said Larry Wolfe, senior vice president of Intuit's Tax Products Division. "WebTurboTax is the perfect choice for the taxpayer who prefers the convenience of preparing and filing their return on the Web."

Service Highlights
WebTurboTax features the same exclusive Smart Interview System found in this year's desktop versions of the TurboTax family of tax preparation software. Customized to eliminate needless work, the Smart Interview System offers superior navigation and streamlined data entry that speeds and simplifies the tax preparation and filing process.

The Smart Interview System includes an Interview Navigator, customized to each user's unique tax return and builds a customized topic list as the taxpayer travels through the interview. Context-sensitive FAQs (frequently asked questions) and tables further speed the process by anticipating users' tax-related questions every step of the way, making it easier and faster to access help in just one click.

Because no software installation is necessary, users can log on to WebTurboTax from anywhere, anytime, to prepare their taxes. Taxpayers simply create a secure user name and password, which allows them to access their return from any computer. This also gives users the option of exiting the program at one point in the return and then logging back in from anywhere to pick up where they left off.

WebTurboTax is accessible from Web-enabled PCs running on Windows 95, 98 or NT 4.0, with Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater, Netscape Navigator 4.0 or greater or America Online 4.0 (with Internet Explorer 4.0). Macintosh users can also access the service if their computer is running on O/S 8.0 or higher, with Netscape Navigator 4.0 or greater.

Data Is Secure
Intuit has worked with leading companies in the field of Internet security and uses the latest in SSL encryption technology to design a secure system to protect taxpayers' returns, and all personal information associated with them, during preparation and transmission. When filing electronically, Intuit sends all returns directly to IRS computers, removing the risk of loss or mishandling inherent with paper returns. The IRS also sends an electronic date stamp for each return successfully filed, which Intuit forwards to its users.

This is the Year to File Electronically
With WebTurboTax, electronic filing is available at no additional charge for all Federal returns, as well as 30 states. Taxpayers who file electronically receive proof from the IRS, an electronic data and time stamp, that their return was received on time. In addition, the IRS processes electronically filed tax returns much faster than mailed returns, with refunds arriving as soon as 10 to 17 days after filing. Also, according to the IRS, electronically filed returns have a less than one-percent error rate, compared to 20 percent with manually prepared returns.

Quicken Tax Freedom Project
Intuit is also making WebTurboTax available free of charge to lower income households. In August 1998, Intuit established the Quicken Tax Freedom Project (www.quicken.com/freedom), a program to donate Web-based tax preparation and electronic tax filing, via WebTurboTax, to lower income families and individuals. Intuit will provide the service at no cost to households with annual incomes of $20,000 and less. Based on the most recent statistics available from the IRS, more than 50 million tax filers - or 43% of all individual income tax returns filed in America - are eligible for the program.

Guaranteed Accuracy
As with all TurboTax programs, Intuit guarantees that its WebTurboTax software calculations are accurate, having undergone in-depth testing by Intuit's tax experts. In the unlikely event that users are assessed an IRS or state penalty due to a calculation error in the software, Intuit will pay the customer the penalty plus any interest the taxpayer is charged.

Pricing and Availability
WebTurboTax is available now at www.webturbotax.com, as well as the tax areas of Quicken.com (www.quicken.com) and America Online. The fee to prepare and file personal Federal returns (electronically or by mail) is $9.95-19.95, depending on the complexity of the return. State returns can be prepared and filed for any state requiring an income tax for $9.95-19.95 each (including electronic filing).