Jackson Hewitt® Opens Doors for 2012 Tax Season

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Jackson Hewitt Tax Service®, the nation's largest privately held tax preparation firm, heralds the start of the 2012 tax season today by opening the doors to thousands of neighborhood office and Walmart kiosk locations throughout the country. With approximately 75 percent of taxpayers eligible to receive a refund, and with an average refund of roughly $3,000, tax time is an event many clients look forward to. With Jackson Hewitt's recently launched new ad campaign celebrating tax refund joy, the tax pros at Jackson Hewitt look forward to delivering the best possible outcome and the feeling of tax refund joy to clients nationwide. Jackson Hewitt's tax pros invite clients to start the tax filing process early by stopping by their neighborhood Jackson Hewitt office or Walmart kiosk for a free tax refund estimate.

"We are more excited than ever to welcome clients to Jackson Hewitt as we kick-off the 2012 tax season," said Philip H. Sanford, president and chief executive officer of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. "Our nationwide system of nearly 6,500 locations, including 2,800 Walmart locations, opened its doors today and looks forward to helping clients achieve the best possible tax return outcome, while providing an exceptional client experience. Our tax pros are committed to providing quality, accurate tax preparation service that meets the needs and exceeds the expectations of our valued clients."

Expanded Walmart Presence
Tax time at Walmart also officially kicked off today as Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® celebrated the tax season Grand Opening of its 2,800 kiosks conveniently located in Walmart U.S. stores nationwide. If Walmart customers and associates are looking for convenience, ease and value when it comes to having their 2011 tax return accurately prepared, then 'Jackson Hewitt's How You Do It!(SM).' Jackson Hewitt's tax pros invite Walmart customers and associates to stop by the Jackson Hewitt kiosk for a free tax refund estimate. Your Jackson Hewitt tax pro can also provide you with information about the various products and services available this year, including a new free federal Form 1040EZ* offer available at Jackson Hewitt's Walmart kiosk locations for qualifying taxpayers.

W-2 Download Service Helps Taxpayers File Early
To assist taxpayers with getting a quick start on their 2011 tax return, Jackson Hewitt offers free W-2 download service. This valuable service not only allows taxpayers to obtain their W-2 information rapidly, but also to start and potentially file their tax return prior to receiving their W-2 via U.S. mail. Free W-2 download service is available to all clients whose employers make W-2's available online. To learn if your employer's W-2's are available online, visit your conveniently located neighborhood Jackson Hewitt office or the Jackson Hewitt kiosk located in 2,800 Walmart U.S. stores nationwide.

New Free Jackson Hewitt Mobile App Launched
Jackson Hewitt has launched a new, feature rich mobile app, which is free for both iPhone and Android smartphones, and available for downloading at both the Apple App Store and the Android Marketplace. The Jackson Hewitt Mobile App puts a range of valuable tax-related information in the palm of your hand by making it easy for you to estimate your refund, locate a Jackson Hewitt office or Walmart location in your neighborhood, schedule an appointment, access special discounts and offers, track the status of your tax return 24/7 and easily find information on Jackson Hewitt's array of tax-related products and services.

Digital Dance-Off Facebook Game and Sweepstakes**
To continue the momentum of the new 'Jackson Hewitt's How You Do It!(SM)' campaign, today Jackson Hewitt launches the Digital Dance-Off game and sweepstakes. Hosted on the Jackson Hewitt Facebook page, the game encourages players to use their computer keyboard to match the dance moves of their animated digital dancer to the rhythm of the music. Players can customize their avatar by uploading photos, publish their participation to their Facebook Newsfeed, and see how their dance moves perform against their Facebook friends and Facebook players as a whole. Instant winners of the Digital Dance-Off will be randomly selected to receive Walmart gift cards ranging in value from $10 to $1,000, and players can enter to win the $5,000 Walmart gift card grand prize at the conclusion of the promotion on February 27, 2012.

*The free federal Form 1040EZ offer, available at Jackson Hewitt's Walmart kiosk locations nationwide, includes up to two W-2's and is generally used by single or married taxpayers who claim no dependents and who do not itemize deductions. Additional fees apply for state, local and more complex federal tax returns, financial products and other services.

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends February 27, 2012. To enter and for Official Rules, visit www.facebook.com/jacksonhewitt

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
Based in Parsippany, NJ, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. is an industry-leading provider of full service individual federal and state income tax preparation, with nearly 6,500 franchised and company-owned locations throughout the United States, including 2,800 located in Walmart stores nationwide. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® also offers an online tax preparation product at www.jacksonhewittonline.com. For more information, or to locate the Jackson Hewitt® office nearest to you, visit www.jacksonhewitt.com or call 1-800-234-1040. Jackson Hewitt can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Contacts:
David G. Weselcouch
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
(973) 630-0809
[email protected]             

Melissa Connerton
CooperKatz & Company
(917) 595-3039
[email protected]    

SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.