CCH Business Owner's Toolkit debuts with The Microsoft Network; business-to-business publishing, software company develops specialized information tools for small businesses.

RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23--CCH Incorporated (NASDAQ: CCH) tomorrow debuts CCH Business Owner's Toolkit on MSN, The Microsoft Network, Microsoft's new online service for customers and businesses.

CCH Incorporated (CCH), the $579 million business-to-business publishing and software company, will provide a broad-based portfolio of practical information and software tools that helps small business owners start, run and grow their businesses.

CCH Business Owner's Toolkit, located in the small office/home office section of MSN's Business and Finance section (Go:CCH) offers a wide range of features relating to understanding and complying with the complex laws and regulations affecting small businesses.

Combining easy-to-read language, user-friendly software tools and helpful, eye-catching graphics, CCH Business Owner's Toolkit quickly guides users through the intricacies of business ownership, helping them control federal and state taxes, implement financial and estate planning, manage personnel, and form and run a business.

CCH, a name new to many small business owners, is a leading provider of tax and business law information, software and services for business professionals and their clients. The company has an 800-person staff of reporters, authors, editors and analysts -- most of whom are attorneys or CPAs -- who track, report, explain and analyze federal, state and international law for about 600 print, CD-ROM and online products.

``A dedicated team of knowledgeable experts with a critical understanding of the laws and regulations affecting small businesses have developed CCH Business Owner's Toolkit,'' said Dave Lampert, CCH product manager. ``Their focus has been on translating complex information into valuable tools and applications for small business. ``All of our content is being developed to optimize the online environment and, specifically, the tools of The Microsoft Network,'' Lampert added.

Just About Everything, From Start to Finish

Offerings available through CCH Business Owner's Toolkit on August 24, 1995 and in succeeding months will be organized under several topical areas with content updated and expanded on a timely basis.

Current and future content categories include: -0-

- Small Office and Home Office Information and Tools bring clear, concise information and interactive tools that follow the lifecycle of a small business: Starting Your Business, Marketing Your Product, Your Office and Equipment, People Who Work for You, Managing Your Business Finances, Controlling Your Taxes, Building Your Personal Wealth and Getting Out of Your Business.

- Download Zone provides at-your-fingertip access to business, tax, banking, employment and other needed business forms; adaptable templates with suggested text for business correspondence; sample contracts; and valuable, interactive check lists for reviewing and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

- News to Use offers selective, daily reporting and analysis of legislative, regulatory and business news affecting small businesses and their owners.

- Business Owners BBS facilitates online dialog, networking and information exchange for small business owners and their advisors. -0-

Applying Business Information, Interactive Features

CCH Business Owner's Toolkit will feature interactive tools that help users analyze and determine the specific application and impact of business laws and regulations on their own businesses. Current and future CCH-developed content that will simplify the day-to-day needs of a business include: -0-

- Interactive Analysis Tools: Interactive Q&A sessions and Check Lists guide the business owner through a series of relevant questions and lists and, with CCH's in-depth legal and regulatory information as a foundation, helps him reach an accurate conclusion based on specific responses. Examples include: identifying specific home office write-offs or determining the requirements for incorporation.

- Calculating Tools: Interactive instruments help the business owner easily and quickly determine and analyze the impact of financial decisions. Examples include: Determining depreciation on a new home office or calculating the interest costs on a loan.

- Home State Specifics: Zeroes in on critical, often overlooked, state laws, requirements and guidelines that supplement federal laws and regulations. Colorful ``pop-up'' maps within subject content inform the user of home state rules. Examples include: Determining all requirements of both the federal and state laws when hiring or firing an employee.

- Hypertext Links, Cut and Paste: Lets the user move quickly to apply information and calculations within forms, letters and other documents. Examples include: Research a tax question, calculate the answer, and cut and paste the answer into a tax form or letter.

- Research Tools: Help users pinpoint and locate the information of most value to them via custom-designed Plain Language Search and Find Research software. Examples include: Researching and determining whether a small business must take special action to accommodate an employee's physical disability. -0-

Availability and Pricing

CCH Business Owner's Toolkit is available exclusively on The Microsoft Network. CCH has an initial offering available August 24, 1995, with plans to expand the breadth of its portfolio substantially over the next nine months.

MSN is a fee-based option of Microsoft Windows 95. CCH allows free, unlimited access to a range of top-line information, all small business news and all bulletin boards within CCH Business Owner's Toolkit. Fees for accessing and downloading additional content, forms and tools vary and are clearly highlighted within CCH's service.

CCH INCORPORATED was founded in 1913 and has served four generations of business professionals and their clients. CCH's flagship electronic and print products include The U.S. Master Tax Guide, ProSystem fx tax compliance software, CCH practice system software, Human Resources Management and Financial and Estate Planning.

CONTACT: CCH Incorporated.

Mary Dale Walters, 708/267-2038

(e-mail) MediaHelp(at)CCH.com

Patti Schiele, 708/267-7153