Houston: Biggest Tax Procrastinator of the Decade

For the fifth time in 10 years, Houston has claimed top honors on the TurboTax annual list of America’s most tax procrastinating cities, proving that the last can indeed be first.

This year’s ranking of late-filing cities, compiled for 10 years by Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq:INTU), the maker of TurboTax® tax preparation software, shows no changes in the top four cities that are among the last to file federal tax returns. Chicago, New York and Austin trail Houston in the rankings. San Antonio, Texas nudges its way into the top tier, giving the Lone Star State the dubious distinction of holding three of the first five spots. The TurboTax Blog contains an interactive map of this year’s top tax procrastinators.

People in these cities aren’t alone in their tendency to wait till the last minute. TurboTax estimates 27 percent of taxpayers wait until the last two weeks of tax season to file their taxes. This year, there’s even more good news for tax procrastinators, an extra three days to file, with the federal tax deadline moving from April 15 to April 18.

The full list of this year’s late-filing cities, with last year’s ranking in parenthesis, is as follows:

1. Houston – (No. 1): Houston, we have a problem! Locals landed in the top spot in five of the last 10 years.

2. Chicago – (No. 2): Windy City residents are unable to move from No. 2 for the second year running, possibly due to food comas induced by all the deep dish pizza-eating.

3. New York – (No. 3): For the third year running in the No. 3 spot, New Yorkers in the City that Never Sleeps take a nap until tax time.

4. Austin – (No. 4): Busy Austinites, so burned out from festival-hopping, put off their tax duties – landing in the top five again.

5. San Antonio – (No. NA): It seems one of the biggest military centers in the U.S. needs more soldierly discipline this time around, popping into the top 10 for the first time since 2008.

6. San Francisco – (No. 5): Known as innovators for all things tech, San Franciscans are doing their taxes only a bit quicker, moving down one spot from No. 5 despite their connected reputations.

7. Seattle – (No. 6): It looks like all that rain is washing out more than mail routes for 7th place Washingtonians. Despite their commitment to java hot spots, filing taxes online before the tax deadline clearly isn’t a top priority.

8. San Diego – (No. 7): When you’re wearing sunglasses 24/7, it’s hard to even see your taxes, let alone file them. San Diegans file just a bit faster due to peer pressure this year with TurboTax headquarters right down the street.

9. Los Angeles – (No. 8): Starving actors hanging out in this town are too busy looking for some nosh. It’s no wonder they dread filing their taxes!

10. Dallas – (No. 9): They say cowboys ride alone, but Texans managed to lasso in four cities on this list -- including No. 10, Dallas.

Dropping off the top 10 list this year: Las Vegas

The Wannabes

Extended List 11-20:

11. Las Vegas, Nev.

12. Washington, D.C.

13. Portland, Ore.

14. Atlanta, Ga.

15. Phoenix, Ariz.

16. Philadelphia, Pa.

17. Orlando, Fla.

18. Jacksonville, Fla.

19. Tampa, Fla.

20. San Jose, Calif.

The list is determined by the number of tax returns electronically filed via the TurboTax Online service between April 14 - 17, 2010.

About TurboTax

TurboTax is the nation’s No. 1 rated, best-selling, do-it-yourself tax preparation software. Available on desktop, online and mobile, TurboTax helps more than 20 million people a year easily and accurately claim every deduction and credit they’re entitled to, so they get their biggest tax refund possible. For more information, visit the TurboTax press room.

About Intuit

Intuit Inc. is a leading provider of business and financial management solutions for small and mid-sized businesses; financial institutions, including banks and credit unions; consumers and accounting professionals. Its flagship products and services, including QuickBooks®, Quicken® and TurboTax®, simplify small business management and payroll processing, personal finance, and tax preparation and filing. ProSeries® and Lacerte® are Intuit's leading tax preparation offerings for professional accountants. Intuit Financial Services helps banks and credit unions grow by providing on-demand solutions and services that make it easier for consumers and businesses to manage their money.

Founded in 1983, Intuit had annual revenue of $3.5 billion in its fiscal year 2010. The company has approximately 7,700 employees with major offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India and other locations. More information can be found at www.intuit.com.

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