FLS and CCH Bring 1040 Tax Filing to Employees’ Desktops

New Partnership Provides Employers with Additional Employee Benefit, Helps Improve Employee Self Service

DALLAS, TEXAS — December 23, 2002 — Federal Liaison Services, Inc. (FLS), a premier provider of employer compliance solutions, and CCH Tax Compliance today announced a new partnership that will provide discounted online tax preparation and filing to thousands of employees across the United States. CCH Tax Compliance is a leading supplier of software for tax and accounting professionals.

As a result of the new alliance, the FLS customer base, which includes more than 3,000 leading businesses representing virtually every industry, will have direct access to CCH’s CompleteTax™ 1040 tax filing solution at a special discount. CCH will also develop and support an integrated software interface to its CompleteTax program from the FLS Year End Tax System™.

Through the program, employers can offer online 1040 tax preparation and filing to their employees for just $19.95, which includes preparation and filing of federal and state (if applicable) returns. This compares to a much higher standard industry rate for comparable full-featured services. To take advantage of the special pricing, employees will access the service directly via www.ewebtax.com. The service will be available beginning January 10, 2003.

Employer Benefits

  • Provides an Additional Benefit for Employees. At no additional cost to them, employers can promote the discounted online tax preparation and filing service directly to employees as an additional corporate benefit.
  • Reduced Tax Filing Support. Employers already busy handling year-end compliance processes have limited time to assist employees with W-2 and 1040 filing questions. The online CompleteTax Tax Guide and knowledge base provided by CCH tax professionals allows employees to handle many of their own inquiries regarding tax filing.
  • Integrated W-2 Database. Those employers who utilize the FLS Year End Tax System™ can integrate their employee W-2 information directly with CompleteTax, allowing an automatic import of W-2 information into the employee’s 1040 tax return.

Employee Benefits

  • Special Corporate Pricing. For only $19.95, employees can prepare and file both their federal and state returns. Employees are charged only when their returns are complete and ready to file.
  • Easy-to-Use System. A short intuitive questionnaire will guide users through the tax interview process — uniquely tailoring the interview with applicable questions and pertinent forms based on their answers.
  • Dynamic Tax Help Resources. Leveraging CCH’s 88 years of experience in explaining tax rules and regulations, CompleteTax provides filers an easy-to-understand, fully searchable online tax reference library, as well as a tax calendar, glossary of terms, and tax news — including issues new for 2003. Also provided are tax tools such as worksheets, tables and forms, and planning calculators to help filers accurately complete their tax returns.
  • Easy E-filing. CompleteTax is an authorized IRS e-file partner and can electronically file returns with the IRS as well as all states that allow electronic filing. Taxpayers who prefer to file a paper copy of their returns can print and mail them.
  • Fast Refunds. Taxpayers using CompleteTax’s electronic filing and automatic direct deposit option can get their refunds twice as fast as they would if they had mailed their return. Those owing money who file electronically can also pay the balance due on their federal and select state taxes via direct payment from their bank account.
  • Automated W-2 Import. Employees whose companies utilize the FLS Year End Tax System can import their W-2 information directly into CompleteTax for faster and easier tax filing.

"In today’s economy, employers are seeking additional benefits to help keep employees happy and productive," said Dan Shumate, Vice President of Sales/Marketing for FLS. "Offering an online 1040 tax prep option like CompleteTax is a win-win situation: employees benefit from a great program at a great discount, and employers reduce their overhead in supporting employees through the tax filing season. Our partnership with CCH is another way FLS is helping ease the burden of tax compliance for our customers."

"We’re excited to work with FLS to deliver additional benefits and services to their client base," said Ernest Zoumot, Senior Marketing Manager at CCH. "CCH’s expertise in tax regulations combined with FLS’ expertise in employer compliance allows us to help ease the tax burden for employer and employee alike."

About CCH Tax Compliance

Headquartered in Torrance, CA, 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, and web site development. The CCH tax and accounting web site can be accessed at tax.cchgroup.com.

About Federal Liaison Services, Inc. (FLS)

FLS is a premier provider of software solutions and services to employers for government reporting and compliance. FLS solutions automate payroll tax payments and filings, wage garnishments, and year-end W-2 and 1099 processing. FLS clients include more than 400 members of the Fortune 1000, and several major government agencies. Visit FLS online at www.flsinc.com or call 972.239.8881.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: FLS, the FLS logo, and FLS Year End Tax System are trademarks of Federal Liaison Services, Inc. CompleteTax and the CompleteTax logo are trademarks of CCH Tax Compliance. All other company names and products are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.