A growing number of Americans are becoming increasingly comfortable managing their financial lives online, a trend that could extend into the upcoming tax season.
A recent report from Jupiter Research found that 18.9 million American households viewed and paid bills online during 2003 - up from 12.2 million in 2002. Jupiter estimates that figure to grow to 60.6 million by 2008 as more and more Americans manage their financial lives - everything from banking to taxes - over the World Wide Web.
The research comes as Intuit Inc. announces the availability of the premier online tax preparation service, TurboTax® for the WebSM. The service helps taxpayers prepare and file their taxes with the same speed, ease and convenience they've come to expect from online banking and bill pay. TurboTax for the Web offers a complete, thorough and accurate way to prepare taxes while giving taxpayers the confidence their taxes are done right.
Fast, Simple Tax Preparation
With the TurboTax for the Web service, taxpayers can prepare and file their 2003 federal and state income tax returns quickly from the comfort of their own home or office on their personal computer Taxpayers can quickly obtain their refund, in as little as 10 days, compared to six weeks through the mail. They can prepare their return entirely online at any time from any computer with Internet access.
In addition, taxpayers can even "try before they buy," using the TurboTax for the Web service to prepare their taxes at no cost until they print or electronically file their return. The TurboTax for the Web service allows customers to complete their taxes at their own pace, starting and stopping as often as they want. Every time they return to TurboTax for the Web, they simply pick up where they left off.
"The speed, convenience and ability to get a fast refund have always made TurboTax for the Web a popular tax prep choice," said Rick Jensen, vice president of Intuit's consumer tax group.
File Electronically at no Additional Cost
After taxpayers prepare their return online, they can file it electronically. TurboTax for the Web customers can file their state tax returns electronically within 44 states and the District of Columbia, when the Internal Revenue Service begins accepting e-filed returns later this month.
Pricing
TurboTax for the Web services are designed to meet a wide variety of tax preparation needs, from simple to complex. Prices start at $9.95. For more pricing information, visit www.turbotax.com.
