Jackson Hewitt(R) CEO Harry Buckley Heralds 2010 Tax Season By Ringing The Closing Bell(SM) At New York Stock Exchange

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Given the significant number of consumer-friendly tax changes signed into law in 2009, tax changes should be top of mind for tax filers this tax season. In recognition of the start of the 2010 tax season, Harry W. Buckley, President and CEO, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service®, rings The Closing Bell(SM) at the New York Stock Exchange today. The Company kicks off the season with over 6,000 store-front and retail locations nationwide, including more than 1,800 in Walmart stores, as part of its exclusive relationship with Walmart. The Company also recently launched its new Online tax preparation product and new advertising campaign, encouraging tax filers to 'Get Every Dollar You Deserve(sm)'.

"The launch of Tax Season 2010 enables Jackson Hewitt to serve a wider range of clients through our expanded relationship with Walmart, greater convenience with our new Online product, and understanding the benefits of coming to Jackson Hewitt via our new advertising campaign," said Buckley. "In our over 6,000 locations, including more than 1,800 in Walmart, taxpayers will find knowledgeable tax preparers who are focused on helping them understand new and changed tax rules so they can get the largest refund they are entitled to, or lower their tax liability. We are excited to also introduce our new, Online product to provide great service to tax filers who prefer to file on their own, especially those who are migrating from pen and forms at their kitchen table to the Internet."

Exclusive Walmart Presence

The start of the 2010 tax season heralds the start of Jackson Hewitt's exclusive relationship with Walmart. Operating in more than 1,800 Walmart stores this tax season, the Company has enhanced its distribution footprint, providing Walmart customers, associates and Jackson Hewitt clients with greater access and convenience - in one of consumers' favorite retail environments. Jackson Hewitt will promote the expanded Walmart presence through various channels, including co-branded television and radio commercials, direct mail pieces and in a co-branded Tax Center accessed through Walmart.com that provides online visitors with resources on important tax tips.

"We are excited to have Jackson Hewitt Tax Service as our exclusive tax preparation provider in more than 1,800 Walmart locations," said Scott Sandlin, Senior Director, Financial Services, Walmart. "Providing our loyal customers and dedicated associates with in-house, one-stop access to a knowledgeable network of tax preparers is another way that we bring value and convenience to the communities we serve."

New Online Product: Jackson Hewitt Online

The tax season kick-off also marks the introduction of Jackson Hewitt Online, a convenient, easy-to-use online tax preparation product accessible via www.jacksonhewittonline.com and the recently-redesigned Jackson Hewitt Web site. Through this new channel, tax filers who choose to prepare and file their own tax returns will be able to leverage innovative online features that will help them address the tax-related circumstances associated with their life and job-related situations.

"Jackson Hewitt Online is designed to be a simple, step-by-step online solution that helps each client customize a tax return based on some of the key categories we know are important to filers, such as specific life events - a marriage, divorce, adoption, job loss, occupational credits and deductions, and more," explains Buckley. "We see the online tool as an extension to tap into a segment of clients who prefer to prepare their own taxes. This new product is a part of our commitment to providing all of our current and potential clients with options and services to make the process of filing taxes as accurate, easy and convenient as possible."

New Advertising Focuses on the "Big Check"

To build awareness of the real-life benefits of working with Jackson Hewitt, the company has unveiled a new consumer-focused advertising campaign that kicked off in several markets this week and goes nationwide next week. The campaign, called "Big Check," features individual taxpayers, couples and families happily incorporating an oversized tax refund check into their daily activities - the result of choosing Jackson Hewitt to help them identify and file for all the deductions and credits they are entitled to receive. The campaign tagline, "Get Every Dollar You Deserve," acknowledges that for many taxpayers, the annual tax refund is the opportunity to get back any money overpaid throughout the year and any money available due to tax rules that provide a deduction or credit, for example, those due to a purchase - an Energy Credit for buying an energy-efficient appliance or the First Time Homebuyer Credit for a new home - as well as those based on lifestyle, such as the Additional Child Credit and the Earned Income Credit.

The vertically integrated campaign will run across television, radio, print, online, out of home, direct mail and in-store during multi-week flights between January and April. The new campaign will also be integrated into Jackson Hewitt's expanded Walmart presence through co-branded advertising on radio and television, direct mail and at Walmart.com. The Walmart-specific advertising will run for four weeks nationally and in six-week spots on a local basis.

Important Tax Changes for 2009 Returns

With several significant pro-taxpayer changes and brand-new tax laws introduced in 2009, taxpayers have even more opportunities to make a positive difference to their bottom-line this tax season. Two examples driven by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act include the popular first-time homebuyer tax credit, recently extended into 2010, and expansions to the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Taxpayers are encouraged to visit www.jacksonhewitt.com for information about new tax rules and a useful document entitled "What to Bring to Your Tax Preparer", which can be found by clicking here. For more information or to find the Jackson Hewitt office nearest to you, call 1-800-234-1040.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX), with more than 6,000 franchised and company-owned offices throughout the United States, is an industry leader providing full service individual federal and state income tax return preparation. Most offices are independently owned and operated. Jackson Hewitt is based in Parsippany, New Jersey. More information may be obtained at www.jacksonhewitt.com. To locate the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® office nearest to you, call 1-800-234-1040.

    Contact:

    Melissa Connerton            Stephanie King
    CooperKatz & Company         CooperKatz & Company
    917-595-3039                 917-595-3055
    [email protected]    [email protected]

SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.