Blucora Announces Closing of TaxAct Sale
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Blucora Announces Closing of TaxAct Sale

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Blucora, Inc.
Blucora, Inc.

Company Plans to Return $400 - $450 Million of Capital to Shareholders through a $250 Million Modified Dutch Auction Tender Offer and Additional Share Buyback Authorization of up to $200 Million

Announces Reduction in Board Size at 2023 Annual Meeting

DALLAS, Dec. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blucora, Inc. ("Blucora" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: BCOR) today announced the completion of its previously announced sale of its tax software business, TaxAct, to an affiliate of Cinven for $720 million in cash, with after-tax net cash proceeds of approximately $620 million. Blucora expects to return $400 - $450 million of capital to shareholders and today announced its plan to repurchase up to $250 million of its shares of common stock through a modified "Dutch Auction" tender offer in the first quarter of 2023. In addition, its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $200 million of Blucora common stock.

With the completion of the TaxAct sale, Blucora is now a pure-play wealth management company and is moving forward with its rebranding to Avantax, focusing on its success in providing tax-focused wealth management through its independent broker dealer (IBD), Avantax Wealth Management, and its employee-based registered investment advisor (RIA), Avantax Planning Partners. The rebranding is expected to occur in January 2023.

"Today's announcement marks an important milestone for Blucora. In Avantax and TaxAct, we have built two exceptional businesses, and at the right time and with the right partner, we have been able to realize significant value for shareholders and align TaxAct with a growth-oriented sponsor who will support the business' continued growth," said Chris Walters, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"We are well-positioned to continue to execute on our vision for Avantax, while at the same time return significant capital to our shareholders. These actions reflect Blucora's disciplined stewardship of shareholder capital. We look forward to moving forward as Avantax and building on our momentum delivering holistic, tax-focused financial planning and investment solutions," said Walters.

The Company also disclosed today that, as a result of Blucora's reduced scale and its focus on its wealth management business, two of the Company's directors, Steven Aldrich and Mary Zappone, will not stand for re-election in 2023, and the Board of Directors plans to reduce the size of the Board from 11 to nine directors effective as of the 2023 annual meeting.