Small Businesses Rely on Themselves, Not Government, To Succeed

Intuit Payroll Survey Finds Entrepreneurs Will Cut Own Pay to Stay Ahead;

Still Plan to Invest in Growth

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Small business employers in overwhelming numbers are relying on themselves - and
not government - to weather the economic climate, according to a new survey of
Intuit Payroll customers (Nasdaq: INTU).

Some 94 percent of those responding say the health of their business depends
more on what they can do for themselves rather than on what the government can
do for them. In addition, 86 percent do not believe the federal economic
stimulus plan will directly benefit their business, while 75 percent do not
believe the government offers them enough support.

Saving money tops the lists of concerns among 94 percent of those surveyed, with
payroll comprising between 25 and 50 percent of operational costs for many of
these employers. Some 47 percent have already reduced their own pay or have not
paid themselves at all, while just 22 percent have laid off employees.

"Small businesses succeed or fail based on their ability to understand and react
to economic changes," said Cameron Schmidt, director of marketing, Intuit
Employee Management Solutions. "Their up-close-and-personal relationship with
consumers and their employees gives them a street-level perspective of what`s
happening. This study reflects our close relationship with these employers. By
talking to them and understanding their needs, we can be a partner in their
success."

Payroll regulations also dominated employers` concerns, with 84 percent of
respondents worried about staying in compliance with federal, state and local
regulations to avoid penalties. Their concerns seem justified. This is notable
as, according to a recent government report American small businesses are behind
on their payroll taxes - to the tune of about $58 billion.

"With more than 1 million payroll customers preparing $251 billion in paychecks
annually, we are uniquely positioned to understand their concerns and support
them in solving problems such as being compliant or managing costs," Schmidt
said.

Bullish About Growth Despite Bear Economy

Even with the downbeat economy, employers remain upbeat about growth prospects.
Sixty-one percent expect their business to grow in the next 12 months. They plan
to invest to fuel that growth, in everything from advertising and marketing (65
percent), employee training and development (55 percent) and new equipment (48
percent). One-third believe it`s important to invest in business or financial
software in the coming year to help better manage their business.

But this bullish appraisal does not translate into broader optimism. Some 56
percent of respondents believe the recession will last another two years or
more.

"Small business owners are bullish on their own abilities, but bearish on the
factors they can`t control," said Schmidt. "It`s a classic example of the
mindset of the American entrepreneur. Self-reliance trumps government hand-outs,
and even in the gloomiest economy there are opportunities to seize."

For more information and additional results, please visit the Small Business
United Blog at: www.smallbusinessunitedblog.com.

Resources:

Intuit Payroll: http://www.payroll.com

Small Business United Blog: http://www.smallbusinessunitedblog.com

Intuit Press Room: http://about.intuit.com/about_intuit/press_room/

Intuit on Twitter: http://twitter.com/intuit

Survey Methodology

Global Strategy Group conducted the web-based poll for Intuit Employee
Management Solutions, surveying 1,022 Intuit Payroll customers from May 20 - 27.
The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Additional results
and analysis are available at www.smallbusinessunitedblog.com.

About Intuit Inc.

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. The company`s financial institutions division,
anchored by Digital Insight, provides on-demand banking services to help banks
and credit unions serve businesses and consumers with innovative solutions.

Founded in 1983, Intuit had annual revenue of $3.1 billion in its fiscal year
2008. The company has approximately 8,000 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.

Intuit and the Intuit logo, among others, are registered trademarks and/or
registered service marks of Intuit Inc. in the United States and other
countries.

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Intuit Inc.
Michael Porcaro, 650-944-6509
michael_porcaro@intuit.com
or
Access Communications
Anna Pignataro, 415-844-6216
apignataro@accesspr.com

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