===== Product Information ==============================

   Product:             TaxACT 2000 Tax Preparation Software
   Version:             0.9
   Version Date:        9-Oct-2000
   Product Type:        Software
   Basic Distribution Policy (see License, below, for details):
      Freeware, copyrighted but freely distributable and useable

   Product Description: TaxACT 2000 completes your tax return the 
                        fast, easy way! TaxACT includes over 80 
                        forms, schedules and worksheets, plus the 
                        interview steps you through completing your 
                        return, or you can enter directly onto the 
                        tax forms. TaxACT calculates your return for 
                        you, then reviews your return and alerts you 
                        of possible errors. Print and file your 
                        return on paper or e-file. Deluxe and state 
                        editions are available at www.taxact.com.
   Reason for version:  Complete your tax return with TaxACT 2000.

   Category:            Finances; Income tax preparation
   Keywords:            tax taxes free refund finance financial 
                        taxact deduction 1040 IRS return
   Required Packages:   ta00pssw
   This Package:        TA00PSSW

   Required Configuration
      Processor Family: Intel 80x86 (minimum 80486)
      Minimum OS:       Windows 95
      Standard RAM:     8000K
      Hard Drive Space: 18000K
      Required:
         VESA Super VGA (SVGA, VESA)
         Color monitor
         Keyboard
      Other Require:    Internet access required for electronic 
                        filing. 

   Orders:
      Address:          2nd Story Software, Inc.
                        642 10th Street, Suite 202
                        Marion, IA 52302
      Toll-Free Phone:  800-573-4287
      Phone:            319-373-3600
      FAX:              319-447-4674
      Internet:         http://www.taxact.com

   Support:
      Address:          2nd Story Software, Inc.
                        642 10th Street, Suite 202
                        Marion, IA 52302
      Phone:            319-373-4514
      FAX:              319-447-4674
      Internet:         support@taxact.com


===== Information for Users ("READ-ME") ================

------------------------------------------------
              TaxACT 2000 Standard
            2nd Story Software, Inc.
                  October 2000
------------------------------------------------

Welcome to TaxACT 2000 Standard. This document 
contains useful information about the program that
was not available when the online help was created.

------------------------------------------------
Contents
------------------------------------------------

1.  Tips and Suggestions
  * Minimum System Requirements

2.  Other Available TaxACT products
  * TaxACT 2000 Deluxe Edition
  * TaxACT 2000 State Edition 
  * TaxACT 2000 Preparer's Edition

3.  Easy Upgrading from TaxACT Standard to Deluxe.

------------------------------------------------
1.  Tips and Suggestions
------------------------------------------------

Minimum System Requirements
---------------------------
In order to run TaxACT 2000, your system
must meet the following system requirements:

 - 486/66 Personal Computer (Pentium Recommended),
   with at least 8 MB of RAM (16 MB Recommended),
   and 16 MB of hard disk space available

 - Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000/NT/ME

 - Super VGA monitor capable of 256-color mode

 - Mouse strongly recommended, but not required

 - Printer required, if filing paper return

 - Modem/Online Access required for electronic filing
   and online features


------------------------------------------------
2.  Other Available TaxACT Products
------------------------------------------------

TaxACT 2000 Deluxe
-----------------
2nd Story Software offers a Deluxe version of TaxACT 2000.
The Deluxe version is available for only $9.95.

Below is a brief overview of the Deluxe Features that
are not offered in the free version:

FREE Electronic Filing -- One FREE electronically filed 
federal return is included in TaxACT 2000 Deluxe. Up to
four additional returns available for only $7.95 each.

Password Protection -- No more worries of who can
see your data.  Password protect every data file 
separately.

Loan and Savings Calculators -- Perform loan 
calculations to determine the payment amount of a 
loan or the amount you must save to reach a goal.
Then print your amortization or accumulation 
schedule.

Import from TaxACT '99 -- All data entered into TaxACT
'99 automatically transfers to TaxACT 2000 Deluxe Edition.
No re-keying of data required!

Custom printing -- You choose what and when to print!

Unlimited Returns -- Prepare as many returns as you wish 
with TaxACT 2000 Deluxe.

Tax Advisors -- Get the extra help included with the 
Tax Advisors! Tax Advisors answer tough tax questions 
for you.  

15 More Life Events than the Standard Edition -- When
you must deal with real-life events that happen once or
twice in your life, you can't be expected to know how to
handle their tax implications. TaxACT incorporates
special help wizards to step you through the tax
consequences of your life events, like selling your home,
having a baby, receiving inheritance, getting a divorce
and many more!

Depreciation Report -- Detailed depreciation report available.
Print a list of your depreciable assets including this year's
depreciation and accumulated depreciation.  Also print a
Disposal Report for any assets sold or fully depreciated for 
the year.

What If -- TaxACT Deluxe reviews your 2000 tax return and 
identifies areas that may be affected by next year's tax law
changes. Plus, it gives you tips on ways to minimize the 
impact of those changes. 

Tax Calculator -- Do what-if scenarios with your tax return 
without adjusting your actual numbers! This feature 
summarizes your tax return, and gives you the ability to 
enter adjustments, positive or negative, to see the impact 
on your taxes. 

National Averages Comparison -- Identify potential 
"hotspots" that may catch the IRS's eye and know where you
stand with the rest of the taxpaying public.

Joint vs. Separate -- With the click of a button, determine 
the difference in your tax obligation if you filed Married 
Filing Joint or Married Filing Separate. 

Accuracy Guarantee -- If you should be assessed an IRS
penalty due to a calculation error in TaxACT 2000 Deluxe,
2nd Story Software pays your penalty!


TaxACT 2000 State Versions
-------------------------
2nd Story Software offers State versions, which are
available for only $12.95.

With the TaxACT State Edition, your state taxes are
calculated automatically as you complete your federal
return. No duplicating information to complete your state
tax return! Simply let TaxACT State review your return for
missing information then print and you're done!

TaxACT is an integrated solution, so once you've entered
your federal information, it is automatically transferred
and calculated by your State edition. There's no need to
enter your information twice when TaxACT can do it for 
you!

TaxACT States are available for every state that assesses
state income tax:  Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, 
Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachussets, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New 
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina,
North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode 
Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia
and Wisconsin.


TaxACT 2000 Preparer's Edition
-----------------------------

TaxACT Preparer's Edition offers:

  * over 80 forms, schedules and worksheets
  * unlimited number of returns
  * Preparer's Info. worksheet - enter your Preparer information
    once. Your firm's data flows to your clients' returns.
    Your name, address, and SSN/EIN transfers to all or
    selected returns, 
  * Client Manager - Review all client files in one location,
    where you can easily view, open and delete returns with 
    the click of a mouse. 
  * Custom return printing - prints multiple copies of a return 
    at once. Plus, you can print individual forms. 
  * Electronic filing - Generate additional revenue by filing 
    your client's tax returns electronically.  Your costs will 
    be less than $8 per return and decline from there based
    on volume.  Call for details. 
  * Client reminders are a snap! Prepare a client reminder 
    for submitting 2000 tax information, including a handy 
    worksheet listing last year's numbers and input fields 
    for this year's data. 
  * Print client summary letters - when your client's 
    tax return is ready to file, print the client summary letter 
    complete with instructions for filing. 
  * Prepare and print invoices - to present to your client 
    when they pick up their return.


---------------------------------------------------
3.  Easy Upgrading from TaxACT Standard to Deluxe!
---------------------------------------------------

Upgrade from TaxACT Standard to Deluxe without re-
downloading the program.  

Go to http://www.taxact.com to place your order for 
TaxACT 2000 Deluxe.  After you've placed the order, 
you'll receive an email with an unlock code.  

Re-install TaxACT 2000 Standard with the file you 
already downloaded, and during the install you'll 
be asked to enter the Deluxe unlock code from the
email.


===== Installation =====================================

INSTRUCTIONS:

File size for TaxACT 2000 Standard is 5.3MB.

Once downloaded, locate the file.

Run the file. (The default filename for the file is ta00pssw.exe)

If you have downloading difficulties, contact us via email at
support@taxact.com.

Don't forget to check back regularly for updates on TaxACT 2000.
Also, order TaxACT 2000 Deluxe and State editions today at
www.taxact.com!


===== License for Use and Distribution =================

TaxACT License Agreement

This License Agreement is made by and between 2nd Story Software and the
purchaser/user of the TaxACT software product ("Consumer"). By using the
software, Consumer agrees to the terms of this License Agreement. All
questions or communications should be directed to 2nd Story Software,
Inc., 642 10th Street, Suite 202, Marion, Iowa 52302.

1. Copyrights and Trademarks

TaxACT and 2nd Story Software are trademarks of 2nd Story Software, Inc.
TaxACT software is owned by 2nd Story Software, Inc. or its suppliers and
is protected by United States Copyright Laws and International Treaty
Provisions.

Graphics/images courtesy of ClickArt(R) Copyright 1998, Broderbund
Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

ClickArt and Broderbund are registered trademarks of Broderbund Software,
Inc.

2. Limited License

2nd Story Software grants Consumer a limited and non-exclusive license to
use this software. Consumer may not resell, repackage, redistribute or
otherwise use TaxACT without express written permission from 2nd Story
Software.

3. Disclaimer of Warranty

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED IN PARAGRAPH FIVE (5) HEREIN, 2nd STORY
SOFTWARE MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING TAXACT. 2nd
STORY SOFTWARE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED.

4. Exclusion of Consequential Damages.

Except as provided in paragraph five (5), Consumer's sole remedy for any
alleged breaches of warranty herein is limited to returning the software
to 2nd Story Software within 30 days of purchase for a full refund less
shipping and handling charges. In no event will 2nd Story Software be
liable for any consequential damages. Customer agrees that 2nd Story
Software's maximum liability under any circumstances is equal to the
purchase price of this software, except as stated in paragraph five (5).

5. Limited Warranty

2nd Story Software guarantees the accuracy of its calculations in the
Deluxe Edition of TaxACT only. If the IRS assesses a penalty due to a
calculation error on the Consumer's tax form generated with TaxACT
Deluxe, 2nd Story Software will reimburse Consumer the amount of the
penalty. This remedy is limited to Consumer's personal return, and does
not apply if Consumer uses TaxACT to prepare returns for persons or
entities other than Consumer. This guarantee and warranty does not apply
if Consumer overrides amounts within any tax return.

This Limited Warranty does not change, reduce or otherwise affect
Consumer's responsibility to properly and lawfully prepare tax returns.
2nd Story Software makes no warranties related to the accuracy or legal
implications of any information Consumer provides on any tax return using
TaxACT software. The ultimate responsibility for any tax returns prepared
using TaxACT software remains with Consumer. 2nd Story Software has no
responsibility or liability for Consumer's failure to enter all required
information accurately, Consumer's willful or fraudulent omission or
inclusion of information on a tax return, Consumer's wrongful
classification or description of information on a tax return, or
Consumer's failure to file a timely tax return.

If Consumer believes he or she is entitled to the reimbursement described
herein, Consumer must notify 2nd Story Software, Inc., in writing of
Consumer's claim within 60 days of the IRS imposing a penalty. Written
notice must be sent to 2nd Story Software, Inc., 642 10th Street, Suite
202, Marion, Iowa 52302. The Consumer must include their return, a copy
of the penalty notification from the IRS and any other pertinent data
that may be requested in order to determine if the penalty was indeed due
to a calculation error in TaxACT Deluxe.

(c) 1998-2000 2nd Story Software, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
