Four Days and Counting... New Survey Shows That More Than 14 Million Americans Wait until April 15th to File Their Taxes.

Business Editors

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2003

According to a new survey conducted on behalf of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, 21 percent of Americans would rather visit their dentist than file their taxes. It is no surprise then that more than 14 million Americans are waiting until the April 15th deadline to file this year.

"With many recent tax law changes, filing a tax return this year has been more complicated than in years past. This may account for the procrastination we're seeing with so many people waiting until the last day to file their taxes," stated Mike Lister, president of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. "Visiting a tax professional takes the stress out of last minute filing as they are well versed in the latest tax law changes and ways to capitalize on existing deductions and credits."

With only four days to go before Tax Day, there are many techniques that people can use to make filing taxes less challenging and also allow them more time to file their return. For consumers who have not yet filed their taxes, here are suggestions to consider:

-- Need more time? File for an extension: the IRS allows an

automatic four month extension to file until August 15, 2003.

The options are: mail a paper Form 4868, file Form 4868

electronically, file Form 4868 by phone (the IRS has a special

toll-free phone line for extensions).

-- But, if asking for an extension, pay the taxes that are owed:

the extension gives you relief from filing the return until

August 15th, but you must pay any balance due by April 15 to

avoid paying penalties and interest.

-- If money is owed: You do have options; you can pay by credit

card using one of two companies set up for this convenience by

the IRS. You may incur finance charges on your credit card,

but will avoid penalties and interest imposed by the IRS. If

applicable, the payment may also earn you additional reward

points! If you owe money but cannot pay, consider an IRS

installment plan

-- File electronically: e-file can reduce the common errors in a

tax return and speed up getting a refund; if using IRS e-file,

the return is considered filed on time if the authorized

electronic return transmitter postmarks the transmission by

the due date, which could be 11:59 p.m. on April 15th

-- Avoid simple mistakes: one of the most common mistakes is

putting the wrong Social Security number on the tax form of a

spouse or child, so be certain to double check these numbers.

Also, if money is owed and a check is the method of payment, a

common mistake is to make the check payable to "IRS." Make

sure the check is made payable to "United States Treasury."

In addition, there are special considerations for military personnel. Special rules apply for those overseas and for certain taxpayers present in a declared combat zone. Soldiers can cut their income and taxes even further and save for retirement, by contributing to the military's Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan similar to a 401(k). If they reduce their income by making contributions to an IRA or the Thrift Savings Plan, soldiers may receive two valuable tax-reducing credits -- the "earned income tax credit" and the "saver's credit." Also there are special rules for extensions for military personnel.

For additional information about last minute tips for consumers to file their taxes, visit www.jacksonhewitt.com or a location in your area.

About Jackson Hewitt Inc.

Jackson Hewitt Inc., a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD) is the fastest growing national tax preparation company and is currently the nation's second largest company in this category. With more than 4,100 locations in 48 states and the District of Columbia, the company provides full service, individual federal and state income tax preparation through its proprietary computerized software system. Approximately 95 percent of all income tax returns filed through Jackson Hewitt Tax Service locations are electronically filed (IRS e-file). Most Jackson Hewitt locations are independently owned and operated, and offer customers related tax preparation services such as Accelerated Check Refunds, Assisted Direct Deposit of refund checks, Refund Anticipation Loans and free electronic filing with paid tax preparation. To contact a tax preparer in your area, call 1-800-234-1040 or visit our website at http://www.jacksonhewitt.com.