TRACY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2004--TaxBrain® Online Tax Center, the largest independent online tax service in the United States, forecasts that for the first time more income tax returns will be prepared and filed electronically rather than sent in via the mail.

According to Leroy Petz, Sr., President of Petz Enterprises, Inc., a software development company and producers of TaxBrain Online, "in 2004, approximately 53 million IRS returns, or just under half of the total number of taxpayer filings, were prepared and filed electronically. Sitting in the parking lot at the post office on April 15th is becoming a thing of the past."

With more than a month to go before the end of the year, and about 9 weeks before the IRS will accept e-filings, TaxBrain Online customers are returning at an unprecedented rate. All this preliminary data means that Internet preparation and filing is the preferred choice because taxpayers get their refunds much faster.

"While there is a mandate from the US Congress that 80% of all returns will be filed electronically by 2007," Mr. Petz continued, "we're now seeing much more activity than ever before. TaxBrain Online customers know that it takes only a few minutes to do their taxes via the Internet rather than laboring over complicated forms and running to the post office at the last minute."

About TaxBrain® Online
TaxBrain Online is the only web-based tax solution delivering online preparation, filing, professional assistance and representation in all 50 states. TaxBrain is a full-service online tax center providing tax advice, tools, and resources all year to help taxpayers manage their tax burden with greater confidence and ease. For more information, visit www.taxbrain.com/press.

About Petz Enterprises, Inc.
Petz Enterprises, Inc. (a closely-held California corporation) is a software development company and a leading provider of tax preparation and filing solutions for the professional and consumer markets, helping to automate and simplify federal, state and local tax compliance. PEI's Crosslink® line of professional tax software products enable tax practitioners and service bureaus to accurately prepare and file large volumes of individual tax returns. Founded in 1974, Tracy, CA-based PEI is dedicated to serving the need of the professional tax community and individual taxpayers worldwide. For more information, visit www.petzent.com.