Back to: Home > Company >

Press Release - November 5, 1998

Prepare Your Taxes for FREE –– With TaxACT ‘98

2nd Story Software introduces tax preparation software available on the Internet.

Marion, Iowa – 2nd Story Software, Inc., a computer software developer based in Marion, Iowa, announces its entry into the personal tax preparation software market by offering a FREE tax product –– TaxACT ‘98. The tax software is a full-featured alternative to similar tax packages currently available to consumers. The free product is not limited in any way. Users can prepare, print and file paper or e-file returns with TaxACT ‘98.

2nd Story Software is taking advantage of the convenient distribution channel offered by the Internet to market and deliver its product. Consumers can visit the company’s website, www.taxact.com, download TaxACT ‘98 directly to their home computer, and have everything they need to complete their 1998 taxes –– all at absolutely no charge.

While consumers won’t be able to download the final free product until January 1999, a complimentary Preview Edition is available from the website, allowing users to try the product now. The Preview Edition not only gives consumers a feel for how the product works, it can also help them get an early estimate on their 1998 taxes.

“TaxACT ‘98 gives consumers an affordable alternative to the current selection of higher-priced tax preparation software,” says Lance Dunn, president of 2nd Story Software. “We’re excited to be able to offer our software at extremely low prices. And we think being able to download it directly from the Internet is an added bonus for consumers; They won’t have to leave home to shop and everything they need for completing their 1998 taxes can be found on our website.”

The software package is available for Windows 95 and Windows 98, offering over 80 forms, schedules and worksheets that consumers may need to complete their taxes.A feature called Federal QnA (Questions and Answers) guides users through the tax preparation process by using an interview-style approach to gather the necessary information. The program asks a series of questions necessary to complete the tax forms, then automatically calculates the return based on the users answers. Or users may skip the Federal QnA and enter data directly onto selected forms.

As the return is completed, the program automatically audits the return and alerts the user of missing data. When finished, users can print and mail their own IRS-approved forms and schedules, or they can file their return electronically. Electronic filing cuts down on errors and speeds the processing of returns and refunds. Filing returns electronically will cost users only $7.95 per return (5 return maximum).

TaxACT is updated for all 1998 tax law changes and the software can be used for an unlimited number of tax returns. Online program help is just a mouse click away. Plus, the software includes links to Internet sites offering tax saving advice and tips.

In addition to the free TaxACT product, 2nd Story Software offers two other versions of TaxACT: the TaxACT ‘98 Deluxe Version and the TaxACT ‘98 State Versions.

TaxACT ‘98 Deluxe is $9.95 per download and will be available January 13, 1999. The Deluxe contains all the same features as the free TaxACT, plus:

  • A Life Events feature that assists users in determining how major life events impact their taxes, for example getting married, changing jobs or having a child.
  • A Tax Advisor feature that will help answer tough tax questions by breaking down the parts of the tax law that apply to the user’s situation.
  • TaxACT’s Accuracy Guarantee. If a user is assessed an IRS penalty due to a calculation error in TaxACT ’98 Deluxe, 2nd Story Software, Inc. will pay the penalty.

State versions are also available for twenty different states. TaxACT ‘98 States are $12.95 per download and will be available beginning January 15, 1999. Information entered for the federal forms will be automatically transferred into the state forms, so there will be no duplication of effort for the user.

More information on 2nd Story Software, Inc. and TaxACT ‘98 can be found at the company’s website, http://www.taxact.com. 2nd Story Software is located at 642 10th Street, Suite 202, Marion, Iowa, 52302.