56 Million Lower Income Taxpayers Qualify for Free Online Tax Preparation and Filing Program.

Business Editors

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 2001

Award-winning Quicken Tax Freedom Project donates TurboTax for the

Web to taxpayers with adjusted gross income of $25,000 or less

Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU), the leader in e-finance, today announced that it will once again provide free online tax preparation and filing services to taxpayers with annual adjusted gross income of $25,000 or less through it's philanthropic initiative, the Quicken Tax Freedom Project.

The free program uses Intuit's Quicken(R) TurboTax(R) for the Web(SM) service, available starting January 13, 2001, which enables taxpayers to easily and quickly prepare and electronically file their federal and state tax returns via the Internet at www.quicken.com/freedom.

The Quicken Tax Freedom Project was recently awarded the 2000 Council of State Governments' Public/Private Partnership Award. The prestigious award recognizes the program's support of state revenue departments' goals of increasing electronic filing and Intuit's commitment to assisting citizens in bridging the `Digital Divide.'

This year, Intuit has expanded the Quicken Tax Freedom Project by raising the income eligibility by $5,000 over last year. According to IRS statistics, about 56 million U.S. taxpayers are now eligible for the free program. Last year, Intuit donated more than 764,000 federal and more than 375,000 state tax returns through the Quicken Tax Freedom Project.

"The Quicken Tax Freedom Project is part of our continuing efforts to bridge the `digital divide' and deliver the benefits of the Internet to those who need it most," said Steve Bennett, president and chief executive officer of Intuit. "Through this public/private partnership, the Quicken Tax Freedom Project offers a valuable service to lower income Americans, people just starting their careers, students and the elderly." Easy and Accessible Tax Preparation

The free online tax preparation and filing service can be accessed from any computer with Internet access. The growing acceptance of the Internet, combined with increased accessibility through a variety of public locations, has made preparing and filing taxes electronically a fast, convenient option for more and more Americans. Taxpayers without a computer can access TurboTax for the Web from computers at their local public library, school or community center. The American Library Association reports that nearly 75% of public libraries now offer their patrons free Internet access.

TurboTax for the Web is easy to use and requires no special tax expertise. Using a simple interview method, TurboTax walks taxpayers through their tax return step-by-step and automatically calculates the correct tax, reducing arithmetic and other errors and automatically identifying deductions for which the taxpayer qualifies. Eligibility is determined by users' actual tax information as entered into TurboTax for the Web.

Faster Refunds

Preparing and filing taxes online is fast, convenient and easy. Once a taxpayer has finished preparing their return, they can quickly and easily file their return electronically. By electronically filing their returns, taxpayers can receive refunds in as little as 10 days, compared to six weeks for returns filed by mail. Taxpayers can also prepare and electronically file their state tax returns electronically with 38 states and the District of Columbia.

"The Quicken Tax Freedom Project is a great program and saved me at least $100," said Vivian Fiedler of Farwell, Mich., who used the program to prepare and file her federal and state taxes last year. "That extra money could be used for important things, like buying food and clothes for my son. I'm glad to see that the program has been expanded to reach even more taxpayers this year." About Intuit Inc.

Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) is the leader in e-finance, including financial software and Web-based financial services for consumers and small businesses. Intuit develops and markets QuickBooks, the most popular small business accounting software; Quicken, the leading personal finance software; and Quicken TurboTax, the best-selling consumer tax preparation software. An innovator in delivering Web-based financial tools, Intuit is the leading provider of online tax preparation and filing services and online mortgages. Intuit is also breaking new ground as a leader in online bill presentment and payment, and in the delivery of its QuickBooks Internet Gateway platform of connected e-services for small businesses.

Intuit's Quicken.com Web site (www.quicken.com) is a leading financial site, offering a comprehensive set of financial news, information and tools, including insurance, mortgage, investment and tax preparation services. Intuit's products and services enable individuals, small businesses and financial professionals to better manage their financial lives and businesses.

Intuit, the Intuit logo, Quicken and TurboTax, among others, are registered trademarks and/or registered service marks of Intuit Inc. or one of its subsidiaries. Quicken TurboTax for the Web, among others, is a trademark and/or service mark of Intuit Inc. or one of its subsidiaries. Other parties' trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners and should be treated as such.