• by Tanya Gazdik , December 10, 2010

Jackson Hewitt knows that taxes are the last thing on most people's minds at this time of year. So the tax preparer is offering a discount shopping option on its new personalized tax site.

The online Discount Shopping Network offers cash back rewards from more than 800 online merchants, including Kmart, Sears, Staples, Best Buy and Target.

The Parsippany, N.J.-based financial services company is launching the shopping network as the first phase in the rollout of "MyTaxManager," a new online tax management tool and one-stop secure Web destination for taxpayers.

Once MyTaxManager is fully launched prior to the opening of tax season next year, taxpayers will have free access to a one-stop destination to store and organize tax information throughout the year, says Debra K. Dowd, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

"Jackson Hewitt consistently looks for ways to offer clients value-added services that help them maximize their refunds and make their spending power go further," Dowd tells Marketing Daily. "The Discount Shopping Network extends our clients' spending power through an outlet loaded with retailers where people typically shop."

By visiting www.jacksonhewitt.com/mytaxmanager and clicking through the "My Rewards" tab, people can take advantage of discounts and earn cash back rewards on merchandise and services from a broad spectrum of retailers in apparel, sporting goods, electronics, office products, gourmet foods and department stores. Select retailers are offering increased cash back rewards for shopping completed through Dec. 24.

In addition, those who visit the site and register for free will automatically be entered in the Jackson Hewitt Sweepstakes for the chance to win one $100 Visa gift card every day from now through April 15, as well as the overall grand prize of $10,000.

A multi-level marketing campaign is underway and includes 900,000 mailers delivered to homes of prior clients, 800,000 emails delivered to prior clients and lead placement on www.jacksonhewitt.com. Upcoming marketing includes national TV spots, radio, direct mail to more than 3.5 million households, affiliate marketing, social media and signage in thousands of Jackson Hewitt offices.

Targeted customers are price-conscious taxpayers looking to maximize their spending, Dowd says. "We also wanted to offer a unique shopping and cash rewards program in an industry sector, and from a company, that typically has not offered this type of program in the past."