Get a Head Start on Year-End Tax Planning

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA--(Marketwire - October 2, 2007) - 2nd Story Software®, Inc., developers of TaxACT® software, celebrates ten years of free federal Web-based tax preparation software and announces the immediate release of TaxACT® 2007 Preview products -- now available.

As a trusted and secure source for tax preparation and electronic filing services for millions of taxpayers, TaxACT.com is the only Web-based tax planning and preparation solution to offer taxpayers a year-round solution.

Choosing the right TaxACT product is contingent upon the taxpayer's situation and the amount of assistance that s/he may need to recognize and take full advantage of the various deductions and credits that one is entitled to claim. TaxACT Standard, a popular choice among those who traditionally file a straightforward federal return is free to prepare, print and e-file. The Deluxe version, which is $9.95 when you choose to print or e-file a federal return, is packed with additional help and guidance. In addition, consumers can choose between two platforms: TaxACT Online (over-the-Web) or TaxACT software (a download file that installs to their hard drive).

All taxpayers are encouraged to put TaxACT's free Deluxe Preview Edition to the task of calculating their 2007 tax liability for a FREE end-of-the-year check-up -- helping to minimize their tax bill and maximize personal savings. This unique and powerful tax planning service provides an easy-to-use interview format that helps taxpayers conduct a thorough analysis of their tax situation. For the second consecutive year taxpayers can perform tax end-of-year tax planning for both their federal and state taxes with the TaxACT State Planner feature. Visitors need only to complete the site's free online registration to gain access to TaxACT's Online Deluxe Preview version to generate a forecasted federal and state income tax refund or liability amount -- providing users with valuable insight into their tax situation.

"The tax code is dynamic -- subject to change every year. Couple that with even the smallest change to your personal circumstances and the impact on your tax liability can be tremendous," says Stephanie Behrends, spokeswoman for 2nd Story Software, Inc.

Behrends continues, "While early tax preparation offers filers a distinct opportunity to coordinate the lion's share of financial information and documents, the real goal of effective tax planning is to reduce your tax liability. To reach that objective, taxpayers have turned to TaxACT Preview as it is a workhorse that helps users to formulate a comprehensive tax planning strategy -- providing them with tax guidance, tips, calculators, access to the most current tax laws and more."

Deluxe Preview outlines tax-savings strategies tailored to your unique tax situation which can be implemented prior to the end of the year -- helping you to save money on your taxes. Other Deluxe-only features include access to: additional forms, calculators and reports. Plus, Deluxe integrates America's all-time best selling tax guide, J.K. Lasser's™ Your Income Tax Guide by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; this context-sensitive, line-by-line help provides insight to complex tax laws, planning opportunities, and potential pitfalls to avoid based on recent tax law changes and pending legislation before Congress.

About TaxACT

TaxACT is the pioneer of totally free federal tax-preparation software and online services. Dedicated to providing consumers with a complete Web-based tax resource for a decade, TaxACTOnline.com is the 2nd most visited online destination for tax preparation services.(1) Designed to make preparing taxes electronically possible for everyone for little to no-cost, TaxACT was the first to offer free federal electronic tax preparation, printing and electronic filing services directly to all American taxpayers.

About 2nd Story Software, Inc.

2nd Story Software, a privately held company founded in 1998, is critically acclaimed as being a leader in developing and marketing affordable tax preparation software and Web-based services directly to consumers. The comprehensive suite of TaxACT products continues to empower its users to devise well-informed tax strategies with ease, while looking out for the cost-conscious. More information regarding 2nd Story and the TaxACT product line may be found by visiting www.TaxACT.com.

(1) According to collective week end-reports released by Hitwise™ during the 2004, 2005, 2006 primary tax seasons, TaxACT Online ranked second in the % of traffic it received as compared to other monitored Web-based tax preparation services. More information regarding Hitwise may be viewed by visiting www.hitwise.com.

2nd Story Software, Inc., company and product logos, TaxACT and TaxACT Online, among others, are registered trademarks of 2nd Story Software. Other party trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners and should be treated as such.

Contact Information: Contact Information Stephanie Behrends Public Relations Manager 2nd Story Software, Inc. Phone: (319) 373-3600 Email: