SAN JOSE, Calif.--Oct. 29, 2003-- Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced that Bundesamt fur Finanzen, the German Federal Finance Office, is deploying Adobe's intelligent documents to enable citizens to apply for tax credits electronically. Using Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions, a server that enhances the functionality of Adobe Reader for forms-based processes, constituents can edit, save and sign tax forms in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) using the free Adobe Reader. The Certificate of Exemption application is the first tax form being offered by the German Federal Finance Office in this new electronic format. The form enables artists, athletes and other foreigners working in Germany for a short period of time to be refunded deducted taxes for licensing fees, due to the double taxation agreement between Germany and various other countries. The German Federal Finance Office plans to offer other tax forms electronically over time. Citizens can download forms directly from the Internet, fill them out offline, and submit them at their convenience. These forms look just like their paper counterparts, but offer citizens added security, and cost and time savings. The solution also has enabled the German Federal Finance Office to lower the costs of processing forms and improve the accuracy of the forms data. By receiving tax applications electronically, the office is able to avoid the costs associated with unreadable or incomplete forms. By employing Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions, it was able to reduce human error and speed processes because data from electronic forms can be directly fed into its databases. Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions offers businesses and government agencies the ability to assign usage rights to Adobe PDF documents and forms. Once these rights have been assigned, users of the free Adobe Reader will be able to save, fill and route PDF forms, add electronic sticky notes for comments or questions, and digitally sign completed forms. These features were previously available only with the purchase of the full Adobe Acrobat software. Now with Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions, companies and government agencies can easily integrate completed Adobe PDF forms and data in XML with back-end systems for round-trip transactional workflows.