eportmen 2 of the Treasury rw eS niornat Revenue Sa Taxes Made Easy When Completed With Software Or The Web Do-it-Yourself Taxpayers Enjoy Speed, Convenience And Professional Advice (NAPSA)—Hundredsof tax law changes over the last two years made Steve Hoback wonderif he should hire a tax professional. But Hoback, who has been doing his own taxes for years, completed his return quickly and with confidence, knowing that he had considered all tax law changes and any credits or deductions that would improve his return. “T prefer to do my own taxes,” said Hoback. “But it’s reassuring to know the online tax program ineludes the latest tax law changes and also offers me the opportunity to work with a tax professional to ensure that I’m maximizing my tax savings.” Hoback, who completed his taxes with H&R Block’s Online Tax Program, is one of the increasing millions of do-it-yourself taxpayers who will rely on their computers to help them complete their returns this year. By guiding them through a simple, click-through questionnaire that ensures they maximize tax savings, computer-based tax solutions eliminate the drudgery of penand-papertax preparation. The IRS predicts the numberof computer-aided returns, which include both software and Internet solutions, will climb by 10 percent, or 2.4 million returns, and that the number of returns prepared andfiled via the Internet will jump by 40 percent this year. In contrast, the number of pen-and-paper returns filed is expected to decline by 14 percent, or 3.4 million returns. DIGITAL VS. PEN AND PAPER TAX PREPARATION H&R BLOCK ONLINE & TAXCUT SOFTWARE IRS FORMS WITH PEN AND PAPER 1-3 HOURS 10-12 HOURS* 100% GUARANTEE APPROXIMATELY 80%* E-FILE TO IRS, WITH VERIFICATION FREE** NOT AVAILABLE TIME TO RECEIVE REFUND 1 WEEK 3-4 WEEKS, TIME TO COMPLETE RETURN ACCURACY *IRS ESTIMATES **WITH MAIL-IN REBATE FOLLOWING PURCHASE OFTAXCUTDELUXE,TAXCUT PLATINUM OR TAXCUT HOME & BUSINESS @ Digital programsoffer quick and accurate alternatives. Computer-based, do-it-yourself tax solutions come in two forms— tax software such as TaxCut, and online solutions such as those offered at H&R Block’s Website, www.hrblock.com. These programs dramatically cut the time it takes to complete a tax return, from an average of 1012 hours for traditional paper returns to an average of about two hours. “Pen-and-paper taxpayers are typically delighted when they experience the speed and ease-ofuse of our digital solutions,” said Mark Ciaramitaro, H&R Block’s vice president of e-solutions. In addition to cutting tax preparation time, computer-based solutions and electronic filing deliver money faster to those do-it-yourselfers who are due refunds. The wait-time for a refund can be reduced from as long as eight weeks to as few as 10 days or less via e-filing and direct deposit. Ease of use and the reassurance of professional guidance are other major attractions for do-ityourself taxpayers who use tax software or online solutions. That kind of guidance can help cut the user’s tax bill and save headaches that come with filing an inaccurate return—IRS data shows that e-filed tax returns have an accuracy rate of 99.5 percent, compared to an 80 percent accuracy rate for paper returns. That means those who e-file are 40 times less likely to get an error notice from the IRS than those who mail a paperreturn. “Tax laws changes and increasingly complex tax returns have made it tougher on do-it-yourself taxpayers,” Ciaramitaro said. “H&R Block’s digital solutions provide guidance and hand-holding that helps users understand how tax law changes affect them and directs them to applicable tax credits and deductions.”
