Intuit Delivers Three Big Breakthroughs for Online Tax Filers; Taxes Done in Minutes, for Free; Discounts of Up to $200 and TurboTax for the Web Redesigned for Simplicity

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Jan. 6, 2005 -- Three major breakthroughs in online tax preparation and filing from Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq:INTU) look to change the face of tax preparation for millions of Americans.


In addition to introducing a new, free online option that will save hours for people who have traditionally used a pencil and paper, and launching a new Web site that delivers great deals geared toward younger tax filers, Intuit has made revolutionary changes to its flagship TurboTax(R) for the Web(SM) service.

Taxes Done in Minutes, for Free

SnapTax (www.snaptax.com), a breakthrough tax preparation service designed especially for paper and pencil filers with simple returns, slashes the time it takes to complete a federal tax return to less than 30 minutes. And it’s free to prepare and print. 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 storefront tax offices.

Available later this month, SnapTax uses familiar, easy-to-read forms online, so there is nothing new to learn. SnapTax customers will see the math being done for them and can get line-by-line help in simple English. Customers can prepare and print federal form 1040EZ and most 1040As for free. Optionally, users can choose to pay $5.95 to electronically file their return to get their refund back fast -- in as little as 10 days with direct deposit, compared to up to six weeks for returns sent by mail.

$50 Off PCs, Up to $200 Off Travel and More

Intuit’s second breakthrough is www.ttrefund.com, a new Web site launching later this month. Designed specifically for young tax filers between the ages of 18 and 24, the Web site offers great discounts plus a simple way to get a refund back fast. Taxpayers can pay as little as $5.95 to use the TurboTax for the Web EZ service, which includes e-filing, and get $50 off a personal computer and 10 percent discounts on digital cameras, wireless phones and other select electronics from Best Buy. Or, they can get up to $200 off travel to favorite spring break hot spots or other destinations. At www.ttrefund.com, customers can quickly and easily prepare their taxes online and then print a discount coupon that is immediately redeemable online or at Best Buy stores.

Revolutionary Ease, with the Familiarity of Popular Web Sites

The TurboTax for the Web service (www.turbotax.com), available today for tax year 2004, combines drop-dead simplicity with a completely new, fresh look that is more like popular Web sites, such as Amazon.com or Yahoo!, that customers use everyday, so it’s more familiar and even easier to use.

The most-used screens in TurboTax for the Web have been redesigned and rewritten by a team of writers and tax experts led by a former editor of People magazine. They have replaced tax jargon with plainspoken, simple English so customers are confident they have answered every question accurately. Instead of asking customers if they have “Government Payments,” TurboTax for the Web uses simple, common terms and asks, “Did you receive a State Tax Refund?”

New this year, TurboTax for the Web includes a “Custom to You” option that automatically customizes the product to the user’s unique tax situation, eliminating unnecessary screens so customers can focus on those areas that are most important and relevant to them.

And TurboTax for the Web no longer requires a user name and password to get started. Taxpayers can easily try it and see just how easy it is, with no time wasted up front. They only need to register when they’re ready to save their return.

About TurboTax

TurboTax.com is the nation’s most popular tax preparation and filing Web site. Now in its 21st tax season, TurboTax continues to be the nation’s No.1-selling tax preparation software program. Together, the TurboTax family of products saves time and money for more than 10 million Americans each year, including 3 million new customers who hadn’t used TurboTax the prior year.

About Intuit

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.

All pricing is subject to change. Intuit, the Intuit logo, and TurboTax, among others, are registered trademarks and/or registered service marks of Intuit Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other parties’ trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners and should be treated as such.

Contact Information

Scott Gulbransen

Media Contact

Intuit Inc.

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