TaxACT 2006 Helps Taxpayers Navigate New and Newly Extended Tax Law Changes

From Price to Performance -- TaxACT Delivers Fast, Easy and Free Tax Solutions for Everyone


CEDAR RAPIDS, IA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 10, 2007 -- 2nd Story Software®, Inc., developers of what a number of critics and users alike denote as being America's #1 value-priced tax preparation software, announces the release of TaxACT® Standard and Deluxe Editions for the 2006 tax season.

What's New for the 2006 Tax Season?

This tax season, TaxACT fashions a revamped, crisp interface, enhanced Site Maps, a new Q&A search feature, and program tutorial -- making the navigation of TaxACT even more easy to use.

Guaranteed 100% accurate, TaxACT Standard continues to lead the way in affordability by allowing all American taxpayers to prepare, print, and e-file a federal return completely free of charge at www.TaxACT.com. TaxACT Standard includes the forms, schedules and worksheets filers need to prepare 1040, 1040A and 1040 EZ Individual Income Tax Returns. With its user-friendly, interview format, TaxACT is designed to make tax preparation fast, easy and reliable by providing extensive reference tools and automatic alerts that meticulously inspect returns for errors, incomplete information and omissions.

The TaxACT 2006 Deluxe Edition provides access to more in-depth help and convenience features, advanced calculators, reports, additional tax advice and more. Some new features exclusively available in 2006 Deluxe include:

--  College Student Financial Aid Worksheet -- It's never been easier to
    complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  Whether
    you're a parent of a student or a student yourself, you can now prepare and
    print a handy worksheet with the tax information you or your child will
    need to apply for the college financial aid you seek;
    
--  PDF Printing Capabilities -- No printer?  No problem.  Now you can
    save a copy of your return in a convenient PDF formatted file.  A great
    convenience especially when you don't have a printer immediately available
    to print a copy of your return when you file;
    
--  FREE Technical Phone Support -- Need assistance with your TaxACT
    Deluxe software? Deluxe users receive free technical support by phone
    (standard long distance rates apply), E-mail and over the Web using our
    extensive Online FAQs; and,
    
--  Much, much more!
    
All TaxACT Editions are completely up-to-date and include the latest tax law changes -- helping you capture every deduction and tax break you deserve. Both Standard and Deluxe Editions include complex forms, such as forms for Business Income, Capital Gains, Rental Property, itemized deductions, depreciation, and much more. TaxACT Online Editions include free e-file.

TaxACT Platforms and Pricing

TaxACT Online Standard and Desktop Standard Software for Windows contain the most common forms, schedules, and worksheets and enable users to prepare, print and e-file an Individual Federal Tax Return free-of-charge -- no gimmicks, no restrictions, no fine print, or rebate checks to mail.

TaxACT Deluxe provides do-it-yourself preparers in-depth advice and tax tips. Deluxe users benefit from features such as J.K. Lasser's Your Income Tax, advanced calculators, a more robust help / alert system, and extra convenience features (prior-year TaxACT return data import, advanced reporting and Fast-Form import). Best of all, Deluxe platforms include one (1) free federal e-file. Deluxe Online is just $9.95; or, for those who prefer to download the software version, the Deluxe Desktop Edition is $12.95 and includes the ability to prepare and print an unlimited number of returns.

TaxACT's best value, the Ultimate Bundle, combines TaxACT Deluxe and one State Edition for one low price. The Ultimate Bundle for desktop customers is $19.95, and for Online customers the cost is just $15.95.

TaxACT State Editions are available for all states that assess a state income tax.

About TaxACT

TaxACT is the pioneer and No. 1 provider of completely free tax-preparation software and online services. After nearly a decade, TaxACTOnline.com has emerged as the second 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 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. To date, the comprehensive suite of TaxACT products have enabled more than 23 million consumer returns to be filed; and, 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 weekly reports released by Hitwise™ during
the 2004 and 2005 tax seasons, TaxACT Online ranked second in the number of
hits it achieved 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: For More Information Contact: Stephanie Behrends Press Relations Manager 2nd Story Software, Inc. - Makers of TaxACT 319.373.3600 E-mail: Email Contact