CompleteTax™ Makes Online Tax Prep And E-filing Quick, Easy And Affordable

Individuals Can File Federal and State Returns for Just $24.95

(TORRANCE, CALIF., January 14, 2003) – CCH INCORPORATED (CCH), a leading provider of tax law information and software, announced today the availability of CompleteTax (www.completetax.com), its comprehensive, affordable online tax preparation and e-filing service for the consumer market. Back for its fourth year, CompleteTax offers many new features to help individuals and sole proprietors as they tackle their 2002 tax returns, yet remains affordably priced at just $24.95. In partnership with GainsKeeper, the leading tax-lot accounting service recently acquired by CCH, CompleteTax now offers investors a way to automate completion of complex Schedule D calculations.

CompleteTax is offered by the same CCH tax experts who develop ProSystem fx® Tax, the leading tax preparation software for tax professionals.

The hallmark of CompleteTax is that it is one of the most comprehensive online solutions for preparing and filing tax returns, while still providing an economical, easy-to-use solution for the "do-it-yourself" filer. The depth of expertise built into the product means that not only can individuals with simple tax situations turn to CompleteTax for fast, accurate completion of their 1040s, so too can individuals with more complex or special tax situations that require multiple forms.

"A commitment to enhancements and integration of new tools, like GainsKeeper, ensures CompleteTax continues to be among the leading online tax prep solutions, said Kevin Robert, president and CEO, CCH Tax Compliance.

"Customers have the peace of mind of knowing they’re getting a leading solution that’s simple to use and backed by a company with 90 years experience in delivering accurate and authoritative tax information."

Easy Q & A Format Makes for Fast Completion

CompleteTax customizes itself based on responses to simple interview questions, so filers need only enter information that is relevant for their specific tax return. Based on an individual’s responses, CompleteTax selects the appropriate forms, performs the necessary calculations and completes the return for the taxpayer – from Schedule A to Form 1040EZ, and more than 40 tax forms and schedules.

As part of the process, CompleteTax automatically checks for mistakes and oversights and identifies these for the filer to help reduce the possibility of incurring penalties for filing an inaccurate or incomplete return.

"CompleteTax will basically hold your hand, walk you through the tax interview process, and then check your return for accuracy while applying all new, relevant tax laws," said Robert. "This simple process makes it easy for everyone to use, and ensures returns are accurate and ready for the IRS and state taxing agencies."

CompleteTax allows taxpayers to finish their return at their own pace – either all at once or in multiple sessions. All the taxpayer’s information remains in a secure, password-protected account hosted on CCH servers. Also, because CompleteTax is fully web-enabled, taxpayers can access and complete their entire return online from any computer with Internet access without having to download software to their own computers.

After the taxpayer has reviewed and approved the information, CompleteTax can electronically file the return with the IRS and the appropriate state. CompleteTax supports electronic filing for all 42 states that allow it. Taxpayers who prefer to file a paper copy of their returns can also print them from CompleteTax and mail them in to the IRS or their state-taxing agency.

Help for Investors

This year, CompleteTax has teamed with GainsKeeper (www.gainskeeper.com) to offer special help for investors in completing Schedule D, among the most complex IRS forms. With this premium solution, GainsKeeper automates the complicated capital gains calculations, including cost-basis adjustments such as wash sales and corporate actions (e.g., stock splits, mergers and spin-offs). GainsKeeper then creates the Schedule D, which can easily be imported into CompleteTax for inclusion with the rest of the user’s tax preparation data. The GainsKeeper solution costs as little as $19.

Extensive Tax Reference Tools

For 2003, CompleteTax includes extensive enhancements in its reference information and support solutions, ensuring it remains a leader in both areas by delivering simple to access, understand and apply tools and resources.

CompleteTax provides context-sensitive help on every page of the interview questionnaire, allowing taxpayers to quickly find answers to the most common questions. Additional help is just a click away with easy-to-follow FAQs covering specific tax situations.

CompleteTax also provides filers a plain-language, online tax reference library. Going even further, CompleteTax provides a comprehensive set of worksheets and tables to help individuals complete their returns. This includes a portfolio of financial calculators and tools that can be used throughout the year to help taxpayers with a variety of personal finance issues, including evaluating investment, home financing, personal financing and retirement options.

Individuals also can leverage the CCH 2003 Tax Projector from CompleteTax. This easy-to- use tool predicts a filer’s tax situation for the upcoming year based on the current year’s tax information already entered into the system.

Comprehensive Customer Support

CompleteTax provides taxpayers with detailed information on technical, electronic filing and Internet related topics designed to quickly answer most questions. E-mail support is also available at no charge and customers requiring immediate assistance can use CompleteTax’s Online Chat service. For just $4.95, this service provides the filer with up to two comprehensive sessions to address their particular questions.

Fast Refund Options

As an authorized IRS e-File provider, CompleteTax makes e-filing fast and easy. Better yet, taxpayers can get their refunds faster by using CompleteTax’s automatic direct deposit option, which allows taxpayers to get their refunds within two weeks compared to the six weeks it can take to receive a refund from a mailed return.

While most taxpayers are eligible to e-file their return, CompleteTax identifies all states that accept e-filing, as well as offers a questionnaire to allow taxpayers to double check their e-file eligibility.

Those filing with CompleteTax that want their refunds even faster can apply online for an advanced refund deposit for just $39.95. If approved, they will receive their refund within 24 to 48 hours after the IRS accepts their electronic return.

Taxpayers who owe income tax also have the option of paying the balance due via credit card, and those who file electronically can pay the balance due on their federal and select state taxes via direct payment from their bank account.

Specialized Small Business Help and Free Filing

Small business owners will especially benefit by using CompleteTax in conjunction with CCH’s Business Owner’s Toolkit Tax Guide 2003™ print reference (available online at www.toolkit.cch.com and through major booksellers beginning January 2003). Buyers of the book will also be able to file both a federal and state return through CompleteTax at no charge.

Free Filing for Low Income Taxpayers

CCH Tax Compliance is a member of the Free File Alliance and is participating in the IRS initiative to make free online tax preparation and electronic filing services available to at least 60 percent – or 78 million – of individual taxpayers. As part of this initiative, qualified low-income individuals will be able to use CompleteTax to both prepare and file their tax returns.

Product Availability

CompleteTax currently is available to prepare and process 2002 tax returns. The total cost for calculating, preparing and e-filing/printing both the federal and state returns is $24.95. Taxpayers are charged only when their return is complete and they’re ready to either print and mail or electronically file their return.

About CCH INCORPORATED

CCH INCORPORATED, headquartered in Riverwoods, Ill., was founded in 1913 and has served four generations of business professionals and their clients. The company produces more than 700 electronic and print products for the tax, legal, securities, insurance, human resources, health care and small business markets. CCH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wolters Kluwer North America. The CCH tax and accounting web site can be accessed at http://tax.cchgroup.com.

About CCH Tax Compliance

Headquartered in Torrance, Calif., CCH Tax Compliance is a leading supplier of software for tax and accounting professionals. It offers The ProSystem fx Office, a powerful, integrated suite that includes modules for tax compliance, tax planning, trial balance, fixed assets, practice management, paperless tax and audit engagements, web site development and outsourcing services.

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Editors Note: Members of the press interested in accessing CompleteTax for review should contact Mary Jung at 773-429-0940/mtjung@msn.com; or Leslie Bonacum at 847-267-7153/mediahelp@cch.com.