Federation of Tax Administrators Annual Technology Conference August 17, 1999

Agenda Project Overview Successes Challenges Lessons Learned Expansion Plans Keys to Future Success

Intuit donating Web-based tax preparation and e-file services to lower income taxpayers. –Eligibility: annual AGI of $20,000 or less Over 50 million taxpayers eligible –43% of taxpaying population. No charge to taxpayer or government Quicken Tax Freedom Project

Following Intuit services donated to eligible taxpayers via WebTurboTax: –Electronic preparation federal and state returns –Simple to complex returns 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ Supporting forms and schedules –Electronic filing for federal returns and 30 states Taxpayer may also print return Quicken Tax Freedom Project

Intuit Operating Value: We Care and Give Back Help revenue agencies meet e-file goals –IRS Congressional goal of 80% e-file by 2007 –Similar states goals Public Sector relies on Private Sector core competencies –Ensure continued technical innovation and advancement of preparation and filing services, –Reducing taxpayer costs and burdens Intuit Program Goals

Awareness of the program Public education that e-file is endorsed by government –E-file simplicity and benefits –WebTurboTax authorized e-file provider Ready public availability of Internet access Major Challenges to Success

Lessons Learned QTFP volume strong as % of total Internet tax preparation volume But can be significantly higher Promotion and public education key to participation Continued aggressive growth in public Internet access is key enabler

Over 86,000 federal returns prepared –Over 70,000 federal returns e-filed Over 57,000 state returns prepared –Over 35,000 state returns e-filed Media coverage received in 1,604 outlets –AP Photo, broadcast news, print, and radio –95% positive coverage, remainder neutral –Over 33 million impressions nationwide First Year Successes

Lower income filers with AGI $20,000 or less –Federal and 45 individual income tax states –Utilizing WebTurboTax services Plus EZ filers!! –Federal and 39 e-file states –New streamlined Web based service Fast, simple, easy, and quick –Over 55 million taxpayers eligible Expansion Plans for 1999

Public Awareness & Education Campaigns Recommend Public-Private Partnership –Revenue agencies promoting any and all no-charge preparation and e-file services –Targeted agency public service and paid advertising Web site Tax booklet Welfare checks Public service messaging on bus stops Keys to Future Success

Focus of messages –Benefits of electronically preparing and e- filing a return –Emphasizing no-charge services available –Reference all providers of such electronic tax preparation and e-filing services Keys to Future Success

Executive level commitment within agencies to promote these services Philanthropic character of QTFP and similar Private Sector programs can help Public-Private Partnership –Public Sector objectives met at no cost to government or taxpayer Continued efforts to increase public access to the Internet Keys to Future Success