Date: 2009-01-15

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) Encourages Taxpayers to E-File  

IRS to Begin Accepting Electronically-Filed Tax Returns Tomorrow

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Each year, more and more taxpayers nationwide choose to submit their tax returns via IRS e-file rather than by mail. Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, the IRS will begin accepting electronically-filed tax returns, and with Form W-2s and other relevant tax documents soon to arrive in taxpayers' mailboxes, now is the time to prepare.

"In light of the current economy, many taxpayers expecting a refund are eager to file and receive their refund sooner this year," said Mark Steber, vice president of tax resources at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. "One of the great benefits of e-filing is faster receipt of one's expected income tax refund. Jackson Hewitt has always promoted IRS e-file as an efficient way to file, and has offered IRS e-file for free to all customers with paid tax preparation."

Since launching IRS e-file as a pilot program in 1986 the program has grown from 19.2 million returns (15.8 percent) in 1997 to 90 million returns (58 percent) in 2008.*

Benefits of electronically filing a tax return include:

Speed: E-filing a tax return allows you to receive your income tax refund in half the time it would take if you mailed in a paper copy of your return. If you have the refund directly deposited into your bank account...you'll receive it even faster.

Accuracy: E-filing uses automation to replace many steps needed to process paper returns, helping to quickly identify any errors for faster correction and receipt of an expected refund.

Confirmation of Receipt: The IRS acknowledges all e-filed tax returns within 48 hours -- alleviating the stress of wondering whether or not your return was received.

Early filers have a variety of tools and information that can benefit them...right now. Visit the Jackson Hewitt website -- www.jacksonhewitt.com -- for helpful tools and information, including:

W-2 Download -- Jackson Hewitt can download Form W-2s from payroll providers -- ADP, TALX and CIC Plus, helping filers file earlier by not having to wait for a paper copy in the mail. Log on to our website to find out if your Form W-2 is available or visit your nearest Jackson Hewitt location.

Ask Jackson Hewitt -- email your question to Jackson Hewitt...even before you meet with your tax preparer. Also view the Frequently Asked Question section for answers that may help you prior to your tax preparation experience.

Handy checklists -- find out What You Need to Bring to your tax preparer, make sure you are not forgetting items by reviewing a list of Commonly Overlooked Credits and Deductions, and much more.

Jackson Hewitt tax preparers are available now to help prepare and electronically file 2008 individual income tax returns. To find the Jackson Hewitt location nearest you, call 1-800-234-1040 or visit www.jacksonhewitt.com. More information on IRS e-file can be found at www.jacksonhewitt.com/ResourcesLibraryTopicsEfile.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX), with approximately 6,800 franchised and company-owned offices throughout the United States during the 2008 tax season, is an industry leader providing full service individual federal and state income tax return preparation. Most offices are independently owned and operated. The Company is based in Parsippany, New Jersey. More information may be obtained at www.jacksonhewitt.com. To locate the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) office nearest to you, call 1-800-234-1040.

*According to IR-2008-127, Nov. 5, 2008; www.irs.gov 

Contact:

Kristen Sharkey
Ketchum (Public Relations)
646-935-3959
Kristen.sharkey@ketchum.com 

Ally Gellert
Ketchum (Public Relations)
646-935-3959
Ally.gellert@ketchum.com 

SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Web Site: http://www.jacksonhewitt.com
(JTX)