JTX Jackson Hewitt Tax Services

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With tax season open and the IRS now officially accepting electronically filed 2010 tax returns, Jackson Hewitt is offering tax preparation as low as $38* at more than 2,000 Walmart stores throughout the country.

"As Walmart's exclusive provider of in-store tax preparation services, Jackson Hewitt's $38 price was established from our commitment to delivering superior customer value," said Philip H. Sanford, president and CEO, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. "There are millions of people eligible for this pricing, which will hopefully make their decision making easy when choosing a tax preparation service now that e-filing is underway."

To get started on e-filing, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® recommends the following tips to consumers, particularly if they believe they may be owed a refund:

• Bring their 2009 tax return, final 2010 paycheck stubs, taxable interest information, and unemployment compensation information (if applicable).
• Visit a Jackson Hewitt office or jacksonhewitt.com to see if you are one of the millions of taxpayers whose W-2 can be electronically downloaded into Jackson Hewitt's secure system.
• Check each W-2 to verify that the reported earnings on the statement match year-end pay stubs and to make sure personal information (name, mailing address, Social Security number) are correct.

Overall, the benefits of e-filing early include getting a refund faster, greater accuracy in identifying mistakes, and receiving a confirmation from the IRS within 48 hours of filing that a tax return has been received. Over the past 20 years, IRS e-file has transmitted more than 800 million tax returns safely and securely.

"With millions of Americans eligible to file early, there is simply no reason to hold off filing a 2010 tax return once you can access your W-2," continued Sanford. "Given that more than 77 percent of taxpayers received a refund last season**, getting a head start now is a great idea.  At Jackson Hewitt, we can assist many taxpayers in obtaining their W-2 forms through our free electronic download service, eliminating the need to wait for a paper copy later this month."

In addition, Sanford reminds taxpayers about a new law in place for all paid tax preparers. "The IRS requires all paid tax preparers to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).  This is the first phase in the IRS' efforts to increase regulation of the tax preparation industry and to protect consumers, efforts that everyone in Jackson Hewitt applauds."

* $38 fee for Federal form 1040EZ with up to two W-2s and Schedule M only. Additional fees for a more complex tax return or for financial products or other services. Valid at participating locations only. May not be combined with any other offer. Most offices are independently owned and operated.

**http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=220953,00.html

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Based in Parsippany, N.J., Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) is an industry leading provider of full service individual federal and state income tax preparation, with franchised and company-owned office locations throughout the United States.  Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® also offers an online tax preparation product at www.walmart.com/jacksonhewitt.  For more information, or to locate the Jackson Hewitt® office in a nearby Walmart, visit www.walmart.com/jacksonhewitt or call 1-800-234-1040.  Jackson Hewitt can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.