New Microsoft Money Helps Tackle Credit Challenges & Make Smarter Money Moves

July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft today announced the release of Microsoft Money 2004 Deluxe, Premium, Small Business and Standard, the company's award-winning personal finance software collection. Money 2004 addresses consumers' current financial needs with features that include an extensive Credit Center, a free bill-payment service, sophisticated capital gains tools and timely financial news, providing a more useful money management experience.

In light of rising debt and historically low interest rates, consumers are seeking more credit information and guidance. Money 2004 makes it easy for consumers to gain control of their overall situation with a wealth of credit- and debt-related tools. Through an alliance with Experian Consumer Direct, one of the most trusted sources for credit products and services, Money 2004 Premium, Deluxe and Small Business provide a free credit report and one year of ongoing credit monitoring, including unlimited credit scores, percentile rankings, risk levels and daily credit alerts. A summary of debt accounts, educational content, access to "what-if" scenarios and information on credit protection also are available.

"Credit management is an increasingly crucial personal finance issue, particularly as household debt climbs and the number of refinancing loans hits record highs," said Nicole Rogers, business manager for the Financial Products Group at Microsoft. "Money 2004 can help: It educates consumers about their credit standing, arms them with the knowledge and tools to improve their situation, and helps them make smarter financial decisions."

Useful Financial Services at No Extra Cost
Money 2004 Premium offers an exclusive collection of valuable financial services, a $365 value, extending the functionality and usefulness of Money's award-winning offerings. Premium services include these:

• Two years of MSN Bill Pay, a free online service enabling bill payment and funds transfers
• Capital gains tax optimizer from CCH-GainsKeeper, a division of CCH Inc.
• One-time free federal online tax preparation and filing from H&R Block
• One free credit report, free unlimited credit scores, free credit alerts and one year of ongoing monitoring from Experian Consumer Direct
• A complimentary initial personal financial consultation and a $100 U.S. Savings Bond from an American Express financial advisor

Tools for Optimizing Investments and Minimizing Taxes
Money 2004 is the only personal finance management software to offer the CCH-GainsKeeper service, which helps consumers better monitor and minimize the tax implications of their investment decisions. Specific features include these:

• The insightful GainsAdvisor provides investors with guidance on which transactions to make and the amount they will save in taxes before a trade is conducted.
• GainsTracker automatically adjusts investors' positions, including wash sales and corporate actions such as stock splits and mergers.
• The GainsKeeper Tax Center automatically generates a fileable Schedule D, eliminating the need for manual tax forms. Premium and Small Business users can import up to 125 transactions per year at no cost. Deluxe and Standard users can import up to 75 transactions for one year for only $19.95 (a $49 value). Users may add transactions above these basic transaction levels.

Timely Information Keeps Users Informed
By tapping into Microsoft's award-winning personal finance Web site, MSN Money, Money 2004 also provides consumers with convenient, timely access to relevant and current information, including world-class financial news, information, tools and services. Specific features include these:

• Top stories on the home page. The redesigned Money home page provides the latest financial news, award-winning MSN Money editorial content and key developments. Automatically updated, pertinent information from Briefing.com, CNBC, Forbes, MSNBC, MSN Money, Kiplinger and Reuters keeps consumers abreast of the issues and events that can affect their finances.
• Alerts Center. Consumers can easily update and create news alerts in one convenient place. MSN Alerts and Advisor FYI notifications deliver timely, personalized messages on a variety of topics, including spending targets, stock prices, analyst upgrades and downgrades, the CNBC-TV featured stock, or the latest news.

Simplifying Small-Business Finances
Money 2004 Small Business helps small-business owners and sole proprietors manage personal and business financial matters. The software includes all the tools found in Money 2004 Premium plus valuable financial services worth more than $485. Time-saving features help consumers more efficiently track inventory, send customer invoices via e-mail, monitor business cash flow and manage payroll through PayCycle:

• One Year of Online Payroll from PayCycle. With the PayCycle Payroll Service, Money 2004 Small Business helps consumers easily manage and control their payroll any time, any place. The service includes e-mail reminders, instant calculations, local paycheck printing, detailed reports and expert payroll support.

Pricing and Availability
Microsoft Money 2004 Standard is available at an estimated retail price of $29.95 (U.S.) with a $10 rebate; Money 2004 Deluxe is available for an estimated retail price of $59.95 (U.S.) with a $20 rebate; Money 2004 Premium is available at an estimated retail price of $79.95 (U.S.) with a $20 rebate; and Money 2004 Small Business is available at an estimated retail price of $89.95 (U.S.) with a $20 rebate. To order Money 2004, consumers can visit http://www.microsoft.com/money/ or a local retailer or call 888-218-5617.

Source: Microsoft Corp.