WASHINGTON, D.C.//February 19, 2003//With April 15th just around the corner and many investors scrambling to get their records in order, the nonprofit Alliance for Investor Education (AIE) today issued "Timely Tax Tips," a collection of its members' best-available information on the topic. The Alliance for Investor Education (http://www.investoreducation.org) is a 19-member organization of financial-related trade associations and governmental organizations.

"April 15th is a date that many investors do not think about as much as they should during the rest of the year," said Alliance for Investor Education President Michael D. Jones, who also serves as senior executive vice president and chief administrative officer for National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD). "In addition to helping investors get ready for tax time in 2003, the AIE resources we are highlighting today also are intended to improve the ability of individuals to plan ahead for future tax seasons."

The following 12 resources from AIE member Web sites are intended to give consumers a "crash course" in what they need to know about investing and taxes:

* “What You Need to Know About Mutual Funds and Taxes”
American Association of Individual Investors
http://www.aaii.com/promo/hastings/taxes/200202/mfunds.shtml

* “Understanding Mutual Funds: Tax Considerations”
Investment Company Institute
http://www.ici.org/aboutfunds/bro_understanding_mfs.html#Tax

* “Your Home as an Investment/Tax Benefits”
SIA Investor
http://www.siainvestor.com/vantagepoints/homeasinv/homeasinv_061.htm

* “Tax-Free vs. Taxable Yield Comparison Calculator”
The Bond Market Association
http://www.investinginbonds.com/cgi-bin/calculator.pl

* “Tax-Advantaged Investing”
Investment Company Institute
http://www.ici.org/investing_for_success/future.html#Tax

TAX TIME TIPS CONTINUED

CONTACT: Ailis Aaron Wolf, (703) 276-3265 or .