TaxBrain.ComT Online Tax Center Announces
Open Access Project to Provide FREE Services
to Low Income and Elderly Taxpayers

Tracy, CA (September 18, 2002) -- Petz Enterprises, Inc., producers of the popular TaxBrainT Online Tax Center, announced today the launch of the TaxBrain Open Access Project.

Starting in January 2003, the highly successful TaxBrain service will be providing free online preparation and filing of federal and state income tax returns to more than fifty percent of the tax paying public. This initiative provides an online alternative to filing income tax returns on paper for the low income and elderly segments of the US population.

"Through this project, we are hoping to enable a greater share of the American population to benefit from the expansion of the Internet," remarked Leroy E. Petz, Sr., CEO of Petz Enterprises. "This is our way of helping to serve segments of the public most often left behind by technology, " he said.

The TaxBrain Open Access Project is a public service of Petz Enterprises, the California maker of professional and consumer tax preparation and filing products. Open Access services will be provided free of charge to taxpayers over the age of 50 and to low- income families and individuals with less than $12,000 in household income.

Petz Enterprises is working with a variety of national and community-based organizations that work directly with the poor and elderly. "Free online tax services will be made available through the libraries, schools, faith-based and community-organizations that work each day with Americans in need." Petz said.

"In addition to our own direct efforts, we are working with the IRS and state-level tax agencies to promote the availability of these services. The goal is to enable wide-spread access through public-private partnerships that are best equipped to meet the needs of the public." Petz continued.

Taxpayers who qualify will be able to complete the tax preparation process and file both their federal and state individual income tax returns through TaxBrain. For the upcoming tax season, the TaxBrain Open Access Project will be available between January 1, 2003 and October 15, 2003 for filing returns for the 2002 tax year.

Non-profit and government agencies interested in participating in the Open Access Project can contact the TaxBrain Division of Petz Enterprises at (866) 829-2724 for more information about how to obtain and provide these services in their areas.

About TaxBrain Online Tax CenterT

The TaxBrain Online Tax Center provides tax advice, tools, and resources all year to help taxpayers manage their tax burden with greater confidence and ease. TaxBrain is the only web-based tax solution that delivers online preparation, filing, professional assistance and representation for taxpayers in all 50 states. Launched in 2000, TaxBrain delivers the vision of a fully integrated tax center that accommodates the schedule and needs of the busy American lifestyle. In 2002, TaxBrain emerged as one of the most popular services for online tax preparation and filing available on the web. For more information, visit www.taxbrain.com.

About Petz Enterprises, Inc.

Petz Enterprises, Inc. (a closely-held California corporation) is 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. At the IRS Tax Forum, PEI announced the availability of V-TaxT, the world's first online software designed exclusively for professional tax preparers serving large numbers of individuals from multiple locations

Founded in 1974 and based in Tracy, California, PEI is dedicated to serving the needs of the professional tax community and individual taxpayers worldwide. For more information, visit www.petzent.com.