Experts offer tax tips for frustrated filers

Experts

offer tax tips for frustrated filers

Just 31 days after surviving Y2K,

it's time to turn your attention to that other dreaded

acronym, the W-2. Timed to coincide with the unofficial

beginning of tax-time, when all forms must be in the

mail, Kinko's has announced a new service to provide tax

relief for online filers. Taxpayers looking for an easy,

convenient way to prepare and file their taxes online can

bring their W-2s to any Kinko's store in the U.S. and

receive 30 free minutes of computer time to prepare and

file returns, and up to four free laser prints of their

return. The service is available February 1 through April

17.

Through an alliance with

Intuit, Kinko's customers have access to Quicken,

TurboTax for the Web, SM, a fast, secure, and

comprehensive leading online tax preparation and filing

service.

Customers using Kinko's

desktop computers can easily prepare and file federal and

state tax returns, quickly and securely, using TurboTax

for the Web through Kinko's Web site,

https://www.kinkos.com www.kinkos.com without having to

download any software. With the program, answers to IRS

questions are placed.

Users simply answer

questions in the TurboTax Easy Step Interview, written in

plain English, and data automatically flows directly onto

the appropriate IRS-approved forms. TurboTax for the

Web's calculations are guaranteed to be accurate. Once

completed, customers' returns will be filed automatically

and can be filed electronically for the fastest refund,

and Kinko's will provide up to four laser prints free of

charge.

"This program is part

of our commitment to offer customers quick and easy

access to technology to meet their document needs,"

says Joe Hardin, Kinko's, Inc. CEO.

"With all Kinko's

stores in the US offering Internet access and copying

services, Kinko's is uniquely positioned to offer this

convenient tax-payer service," he added.

According to Hardin, the

program should have wide appeal due to the growing

interest in electronic filing.

The IRS expects more than

five million taxpayers to file electronically this year,

an increase of 60% from last year.

Those filing the Form1040EZ

form, or with adjusted gross incomes under of $20,000 or

less, can file electronically and use the service for

free, while all others will be charged Intuit's Quicken's

standard fee of $9.95 for federal and $9.95 for state

returns.

Kinko's is the world's

leading provider of visual communications services and

document copying. Its global network of more than 1,000

digitally connected locations offers 24-hour access to

technology for color printing, finishing and presentation

services, Internet access, videoconferencing and

web-based on-demand printing and document management

solutions.

Named for the second

consecutive year as a top Fortune 100 best companies to

work for in America, it is a privately held corporation,

with more than 25,000 co-workers, and locations in nine

countries. It is headquartered in Ventura, Calif.

Quicken TurboTax is the

top-selling tax preparation software program, with

approximately 70 percent retail unit share in 1999,

according to PC Data. Its Web-based counterpart, Quicken

TurboTax for the WebSM, is the leading site for online

tax preparation and filing.

In addition, Intuit offers

Quicken TurboTax Home & Business, designed

exclusively for self-employed taxpayers and Quicken

TurboTax for Business, for corporations and partnerships.

With 16 years of personal finance expertise, the TurboTax

family of products helps save time and money for millions

of Americans each year.