Official Payments Now Processing California Payroll Tax Deposit Payments; Convenient and Secure Credit Card Payments Available Through EZPAY

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2006--California businesses may now make fast, convenient and secure Payroll Tax Deposit (DE 88) payments to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) through "EZPAY," EDD's new credit card payment program.

Administered by Official Payments Corp., EZPAY enables California businesses to pay their DE 88s with an American Express(R), Discover(R), MasterCard(R) and VISA(R) card by visiting www.officialpayments.com, or by calling 1-800-2PAY-TAX(SM) (1-800-272-9829). For more information on EDD tax payments and certain restrictions, visit EDD's Web site at www.edd.ca.gov/taxrep/taxpay.htm.

Newly introduced in 2006, EZPAY meets the needs of employers interested in making secure electronic payments with a credit card. Employers who have enjoyed the ease and convenience of making electronic payments to the California Board of Equalization can now enjoy the same benefits when making their payroll tax deposit payments.

Employers are eligible to participate in a variety of unique special offers highlighted on the "Special Offers" tab at www.officialpayments.com. Citizens and businesses using credit or debit cards with bonus rewards programs may, depending on their card's program, earn reward points, airline frequent flyer miles or cash back for paying their taxes. Official Payments charges a convenience fee of 2.5% of the payment amount for this service (minimum fee of $1.00).

About Official Payments Corp.

Official Payments Corp., a Tier company (NASDAQ:TIERE), delivers innovative financial transaction processing services to governments, businesses and consumers in the U.S. and abroad. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Official Payments' clients are comprised of more than 2,000 federal, state, and local governments and agencies including the IRS, educational institutions, utilities and commercial clients. Official Payments' solutions drive financial transaction processing for a diverse range of markets. From the electronic government payments market Official Payments pioneered in 1996, to the rapidly growing prepaid card industry, to leading-edge markets such as biometric payment systems, Official Payments is committed to making payments go faster, smarter and safer. For more information, visit www.officialpayments.com.