EX-12 4 deluxe040989_ex-12.htm Deluxe Corporation Form 10-K, 12-31-2003, Exhibit 12

Exhibit 12

Deluxe Corporation
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Year Ended December 31,
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998






Earnings:                            
Income from continuing operations before    
  income taxes     $ 299,380   $ 340,722   $ 297,534   $ 273,429   $ 322,582   $ 256,305  
Interest expense (excluding capitalized
  interest)
      19,241     5,079     5,691     11,900     8,852     8,672  
Portion of rent expense under long-term    
  operating leases representative of an
  interest factor
      2,478     3,058     3,540     3,520     7,728     8,859  






Total earnings     $ 321,099   $ 348,859   $ 306,765   $ 288,849   $ 339,162   $ 273,836  

Fixed charges:
   
Interest expense (including capitalized interest)     $ 19,241   $ 5,139   $ 5,691   $ 11,900   $ 9,925   $ 10,063  
Portion of rent expense under long-term    
  operating leases representative of an
  interest factor
      2,478     3,058     3,540     3,520     7,728     8,859  






Total fixed charges     $ 21,719   $ 8,197   $ 9,231   $ 15,420   $ 17,653   $ 18,922  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
      14.8     42.6     33.2     18.7     19.2     14.5