Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Publishes "How-To" Guide For Small Business Tax Cut VERNON HILLS, Ill. - December 17, 2003 - Many small businesses are beginning to assess their year-end financial picture. With that in mind, CDW (Nasdaq: CDWC), a leading provider of technology products and services for business, government and education, today announced a new white paper that helps small businesses take full advantage of new federal tax incentives. Available at no charge on CDW's Web site at CDW.com/referenceguides, "Tips for Using the Small Business Tax Cut to Purchase and Expense Technology" provides introductory information for the small business executive on the new federal tax benefit and how it might apply to his or her company. The new tax law, passed earlier this year, quadruples the amount of new equipment (including technology products and off-the-shelf software) small businesses can expense, from $25,000 to $100,000. Also, small businesses can now deduct up to 50 percent in new equipment depreciation, up from 30 percent. The white paper provides details on eligibility, types of business investments that qualify, how the guidelines work, and how the new law applies to I.T. spending. "The new federal tax law can help many small businesses receive an immediate benefit on their investment in systems and equipment," said Norm Lillis, CDW's vice president of sales, small business and new markets. "We're offering this white paper because we believe it's important to provide information to our customers so they can make knowledgeable I.T. purchasing decisions." CDW's white paper provides basic strategic guidance on how small business executives can use the new federal tax benefit as a starting point to deploy information technology as an enabler for business growth. It also provides real-life case studies of peers in the small business community who are using the new federal tax benefit today. One CDW customer profiled in the white paper, Total Payroll Services of Lancaster, Pa., discussed how the new federal tax benefit triggered its decision to accelerate I.T. deployment plans. "As we analyzed it, it helped us to push the decision to reacting this year, rather than next year or the year after," said Ralph Bisonic, vice president and treasurer of Total Payroll Services. "This tax cut is really going to help us this year." "Small businesses face a unique disadvantage up front. Most small businesses pay twice as much to comply with tax regulations as a large business. Simplifying the tax code reduces that disadvantage for small businesses," said Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL), in the white paper. Manzullo serves as Chairman, U.S. House Committee on Small Business. "Small business owners need to be aware of this new law and understand how it affects their businesses." About CDW CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC), ranked No. 381 on the FORTUNE 500, is a leading provider of technology solutions for businesses, government agencies and educational institutions nationwide. CDW is a principal source of technology products and services including top name brands such as APC, Apple, Cisco, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, Symantec, Toshiba and ViewSonic. CDW distributes contracts to end users for customized and standardized on-site services supplied directly by providers such as HP Services and Unisys and for training programs provided by firms such as KnowledgeNet and Productivity Point International. CDW was founded in 1984 as a home-based business and today employs over 3,600 coworkers. In 2002, the company generated net sales of more than $4.2 billion. CDW's direct model offers one-on-one relationships with knowledgeable account managers; purchasing by telephone, fax, the company's award-winning CDW.com Web site or customized CDW@work™ extranets, CDWG.com Web site and macwarehouse.com Web site; custom configured solutions and same day shipping; and pre- and post-sales technical support, with more than 100 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff. Additional information can be found by visiting CDW.com. Additional information can be found by visiting CDW.com. CDW makes every effort to supply customers with the most accurate and up-to-date information to help customers make smart I.T. buying decisions. However, the information in the white paper is not tax advice, and CDW recommends customers consult a tax specialist for a complete analysis of their company's technology acquisition planning.