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

   Product:             TaxACT '98 Preview Edition Tax Preparation Software
   Version:             1.00
   Version Date:        5-Nov-1998
   Product Type:        Software
   Basic Distribution Policy (see License, below, for details):
      Freeware, copyrighted but freely distributable and useable

   Product Description: TaxACT '98 Preview Edition v1.00 
                        
                        Get a jump start on your 1998 taxes with
                        TaxACT '98 Preview Edition. 
                        Includes over 80 forms, schedules and 
                        worksheets, plus the interview steps you 
                        through completing your return. TaxACT Final 
                        Edition will also be free! Transfers your 
                        data automatically from Preview Edition. 

   Orders:
      Address:          2nd Story Software, Inc.
                        642 10th Street, Suite 202
                        Marion, IA 52302
      Toll-Free Phone:  1-800-573-4287
      Phone:            319-447-4751
      FAX:              319-447-4674
      Internet:         http://www.taxact.com

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


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

=============================
TaxACT '98 Preview Edition
2nd Story Software, Inc.
November, 1998
Readme.txt
=============================

Dear TaxACT User,

This file contains last-minute product information for
the TaxACT '98 Preview Edition. For complete instructions
on using TaxACT '98, please refer to the help located
within the program.

To view the latest information on TaxACT '98, visit:
     http://www.taxact.com

For technical support dealing with TaxACT '98, visit:
     http://www.taxact.com/tsupport


Minimum System Requirements
===========================
In order to run TaxACT '98 Preview Edition, 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/NT

 - 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


TaxACT '98 Deluxe
=================
2nd Story Software offers a Deluxe version of TaxACT '98.
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:

20 More Life Events than the Standard Version - - 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!

Tax Advisor - - Get the extra help of the NEW Tax Advisor!
When you need to determine if you qualify for a specific
deduction, or how to select a particular classification,
the Tax Advisor is ready to help!

IRS Help - - Access the key IRS publications from within
TaxACT.

Accuracy Guarantee - - If you should be assessed an IRS
penalty due to a calculation error in TaxACT '98 Deluxe,
2nd Story Software pays your penalty!


TaxACT '98 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 transfered
and calculated by your State edition. There's no need to
enter your information twice when TaxACT can do it for you!

The states offered are Alabama, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York,
North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, and Wisconsin.


Why is it Free?
===================
Now that we have the notices out of the way, we want to address
why we are offering TaxACT '98 for free.  We've received phone
calls, emails and faxes from customers asking why. It's pretty
simple actually - supply, demand and customer satisfaction!  When
a new company starts in a competitive industry, such as tax software,
it is necessary to find a way to set yourself apart.  We've done
just that. We are a start up company with a lot of drive,
excitement and knowledge.  We don't need layers and layers of
management to make one decision.  We know what needs to be done
and we do it.  And we pass those savings onto you. Our long-term
plan is to continue to offer a superior product free of charge
year after year, in hopes to build a strong relationship with you.
(And of course, if you choose to purchase TaxACT Deluxe and TaxACT
States, we would appreciate that greatly!) As we add additional
products to our software line, we hope you will find them as
useful and valuable as our TaxACT products and continue to buy our
products.

Our success depends on your satisfaction and your excitement
about TaxACT to help spread the news about 2nd Story Software and
TaxACT '98!  So, please pass this information and our web address
along to your friends. Tell everyone you meet about the great
products from 2nd Story Software at such incredible prices!

Lance, Cammie, Jerry and Alan
(2nd Story Software Founders)


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

INSTRUCTIONS:

File size for TaxACT '98 Preview Edition is 3.9MB.

Once downloaded, locate the file.

The default filename for the file is 'taxact8p.exe'.

Run the file.

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

Don't forget to check back regularly for updates on TaxACT '98!  Also,
order TaxACT '98 Standard, Deluxe and States today at www.taxact.com!


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

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 1997, 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
touse this software.  Consumer may not resell, repackage, redistribute
orotherwise 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
taxreturn, 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.

