Jackson Hewitt(R) and BIC Announce Winners of the 'Write Your Own Refund Sweepstakes'

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) and BIC today announced the winners of their "Write Your Own Refund Sweepstakes." Judy Batchelor of Garden City, Mich. was the grand prize winner of $25,000. Batchelor was randomly selected from the more than 45,000 entries received. Two first-place winners were awarded $2,000 each and five second-place winners each received $200.

The sweepstakes, which ran throughout this past tax season, was promoted on approximately two million packages of BIC(R) Mechanical pencils and one million packages of BIC(R) Wite-Out(R) brand correction products. In addition, more than three million Jackson Hewitt customers received sweepstakes information by mail and were automatically entered into the sweepstakes when they had their tax returns prepared at a local Jackson Hewitt office during the 2005 tax season.

"As our first sweepstakes with BIC, we're very pleased with the results," said Peter Tahinos, Senior Vice-President of Marketing for Jackson Hewitt. "Each year our customers, employees and our franchise owners are eager to see who will win our annual sweepstakes. This year was no different, and we wish all of our winners continued luck."

The eight winners were: Grand Prize -- Judy Batchelor (Garden City, MI); First Place -- William Davis (Charlotte, NC), Webster Hough (Jamestown, NY); Second Place -- Alisha Laketa (Tabor City, NC), Mary Saunders (Pendleton, SC), April Fuller (Burlington, NC), Ryan Hughes (Thousand Oaks, CA) and Cindy Volk (Oconto, WI).

About BIC

BIC is a leading international distributor of stationery products, lighters and shavers in more than 160 countries around the world. For more than 50 years, BIC has honored the tradition of providing high-quality, affordable products to consumers everywhere. Through this unwavering dedication, BIC has become one of the most recognized brands in the world. Visit BIC at http://www.bicworld.com/.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. is the second largest tax preparation service company in the United States, with over 5,400 franchised and company-owned offices in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Specializing in electronic filing (IRS e-file), the Company provides full service, individual federal and state income tax preparation and facilitates related financial products. Most Jackson Hewitt offices are independently owned and operated. Jackson Hewitt is based in Parsippany, New Jersey. More information about the Company may be obtained by visiting the Company's Web site at http://www.jacksonhewitt.com/.