Method and system for organizing tax information and providing tax advice

A method includes providing to a user a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the user's electronic device, presenting to the user via the user interface a plurality of solicitations for a set of personal information describing characteristics of the user, receiving via the user interface the personal information set, and, based on the personal information set, generating to the user interface a checklist of tax return preparation information to be compiled by the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many of those who prepare for filing tax returns are unfamiliar with and may be confused by the type and/or amount of data needed to answer tax return questions and the supporting documentation that is required to be submitted with a tax return. No known electronic tax-preparation products inform return filers of the documentation and other materials required to enable return preparation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the invention, a method includes providing to a user a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the user's electronic device, presenting to the user via the user interface a plurality of solicitations for a set of personal information describing characteristics of the user, receiving via the user interface the personal information set, and, based on the personal information set, generating to the user interface a checklist of tax return preparation information to be compiled by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a computing system environment100in which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. The computing system environment100, as illustrated, is an example of a suitable computing environment; however it is appreciated that other environments, systems, and devices may be used to implement various embodiments of the invention as described in more detail below.

Embodiments of the invention are operational with numerous other general-purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set-top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

With reference toFIG. 1, an exemplary system for implementing an embodiment of the invention includes a computing device, such as computing device100. The computing device100typically includes at least one processing unit102and memory104.

Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, memory104may be volatile (such as random-access memory (RAM)), nonvolatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.) or some combination of the two. This most basic configuration is illustrated inFIG. 1by dashed line106.

Additionally, the device100may have additional features, aspects, and functionality. For example, the device100may include additional storage (removable and/or non-removable) which may take the form of, but is not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or tapes. Such additional storage is illustrated inFIG. 1by removable storage108and non-removable storage110. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memory104, removable storage108and non-removable storage110are all examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by device100. Any such computer storage media may be part of device100.

The device100may also include a communications connection112that allows the device to communicate with other devices. The communications connection112is an example of communication media. Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, the communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio-frequency (RF), infrared and other wireless media. The term computer-readable media as used herein includes both storage media and communication media.

The device100may also have an input device114such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice-input device, touch-input device, etc. Further, an output device116such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included. Additional input devices114and output devices116may be included depending on a desired functionality of the device100.

Referring now toFIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention takes the form of an exemplary computer network system200. The system200includes an electronic client device210, such as a personal computer or workstation, that is linked via a communication medium, such as a network220(e.g., the Internet), to an electronic device or system, such as a server230. The server230may further be coupled, or otherwise have access, to a database240and a computer system260. Although the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2includes one server230coupled to one client device210via the network220, it should be recognized that embodiments of the invention may be implemented using one or more such client devices coupled to one or more such servers.

The client device210and the server230may include all or fewer than all of the features associated with the device100illustrated in and discussed with reference toFIG. 1. The client device210includes or is otherwise coupled to a computer screen or display250. The client device210may be used for various purposes such as network- and local-computing processes.

The client device210is linked via the network220to server230so that computer programs, such as, for example, a browser, running on the client device210can cooperate in two-way communication with server230. The server230may be coupled to database240to retrieve information therefrom and to store information thereto. Database240may include a plurality of different tables (not shown) that can be used by the server230to enable performance of various aspects of embodiments of the invention. Additionally, the server230may be coupled to the computer system260in a manner allowing the server to delegate certain processing functions to the computer system.

Still referring toFIG. 2, and in operation according to an embodiment of the invention, a user (not shown) of the client device210desiring to electronically generate a checklist of relevant documents or other required information for preparing a tax return uses a browser application running on the client device to access web content, which may, but need not, be served by the server230. Specifically, by employing an appropriate uniform resource locator (URL) in a known manner, the user may download from the server230and install on the client device210a tax organizer user interface module280comprising computer-executable instructions as described more fully hereinafter. Alternatively, the user may receive the module280on a tangible computer-readable medium (not shown), such as, for example, a CD-ROM, and subsequently install the module on the client device210from the medium.

Upon execution of the module280by the client device210, a user interface such as that described with reference toFIGS. 3-8, for example, may be displayed on the display device250. In an example embodiment, the client device210is configured similarly to the computing device100ofFIG. 1, with the module280stored in the memory unit104and providing instructions for the processing unit102. In this example, execution of the module280causes the processing unit102to operate in such a way that the processing unit102may be described as having a first component configured to generate a graphical user interface for a tax-return organization program, a second component configured to present solicitations, such as questions, to a user through the user interface on the display, a third component configured to receive answers (e.g., a personal information set) from the user to the presented questions, a fourth component configured to generate a tax preparation checklist based on the received answers, and a fifth component configured to present the tax preparation checklist on the display. In additional examples, the processing unit102may be described as having one or more of a sixth component configured to generate advice based on the received answers, a seventh component configured to present the advice on the display, an eighth component configured to store the received answers in the memory for use in a tax preparation program, and a ninth component configured to transfer the stored answers to the tax preparation program. In some embodiments, the fifth component is configured to present the tax preparation checklist incrementally as the user answers the questions and/or the second component is configured to present questions regarding marital status, income, and deductions.

Some example embodiments of the module280are referred to as Organizit™. An example embodiment of the invention includes a tax organizer which is embodied via desktop software, online application executed and/or served by, for example, server230, or combination of both with accompanying expertise and advice about the client's personalized tax situation. An embodiment produces a tax-return preparation checklist along with advice about the client's tax and financial situation that the user can print. In addition, the embodiment allows users to transfer their information into electronic tax-return preparation applications that may include H&R Block® products, such as Online Office™ and OB1™. Certain aspects of the OB1 product are more fully described in commonly owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/838,761 titled ‘Tax-Return Preparation Systems and Methods’, filed Aug. 14, 2007 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Some embodiments of the invention may also be used in conjunction with other tax preparation applications, aspects of which are disclosed in commonly owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/334,033 titled ‘User Interface for Tax-Return Preparation’, filed Jan. 17, 2006 and published as US 2007/0033116; 11/334,730 titled ‘User Interface and Data Acquisition for Tax-Return Preparation’, filed Jan. 17, 2006 and published as US 2007/0033117; and 11/334,032 titled ‘Distributed Tax-Return-Preparation Processing’, filed Jan. 17, 2006 and published as US 2007/0033130 all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

An example embodiment helps users get organized to do their taxes and get educated about their personal tax situation by having them answer simple questions about their life and financial situation. In an embodiment, the program does not ask the user any personally identifying information such as name, social security number (SSN), etc. After answers are entered, the program gives the user a personalized tax preparation checklist of items which apply to the user based on their answers as well as expertise related to each item and advice such as recommendations specifically targeted towards enhancing the user's tax preparation experience, regardless of whether or not they go to a tax professional or prepare their taxes themselves. Once complete, users can transfer the information that they entered in accordance with an embodiment to either have their taxes prepared remotely with a tax professional via Online Office, or the user can transfer the information into a do-it-yourself (DIY) online or local application.

An embodiment includes a tool which not only provides a list of what the user will need to gather to take with them to a tax professional or have when they prepare their own taxes, but also educates and empowers the user to better understand their tax and financial situation. For example, when a user indicates that they have a W2 form, the user is alerted to the fact that if they have a handwritten W2 they will be unable to eFile or qualify for refund anticipation loans, etc.

An embodiment is structured to have people focus on their life situation. In an example embodiment, users can quickly click down through statements which apply to them, and as they do so, their tax preparation checklist builds, showing them which forms and/or supporting documentation they need. Users can easily find out more information by clicking on links to additional information items, also referred to as ‘Tax Tips’, which provide specific expertise related to each item that the users have identified as applying to them. Identification of life events such as being married or having a baby also generates links to specific content relevant to the user. Advice specific to what the user needs to know before they go to have their taxes prepared is presented. This educates, empowers and encourages users to discuss key pieces of information with their tax professionals to make certain they communicate their situation and get the most from their tax preparation experience. Once complete, users can print all of this valuable information, or transfer it to a do-it-yourself product locally or online so there is no need to start over. Working with a tax professional is easily just a click away. For those who are looking for the ease and expertise of a tax professional, but the convenience of working remotely, clients can choose to work with a tax professional from a remote location over a network, such as by using the Virtual Tax Office offered by H & R Block, for example. For those who choose to work in person with a tax professional in their area, interactive maps and office information is available right within the organizer itself.

An embodiment of the invention may be employed in the commercial ‘do it yourself’ tax software market as a product targeting those clients who are looking for expertise in their tax return preparation. Tax software also targets segments of tax consumers having more complex tax returns, but looking for easier and more user-friendly solutions in preparing their taxes.

In an embodiment, users are oriented by being presented with questions throughout an interview via an organization of tabs and/or nested accordions which are explained in more detail below. This facilitates the ability for the user to orient themselves throughout the interview, go back to previously entered information and/or go forward to different portions. In addition, the flow of the interview is modified throughout the experience based on the responses of the user. Responses to certain questions may prompt additional data entry and/or questions that are presented based on the response. This reduces the time necessary to read unrelated questions and/or streamlines the consumer experience to focus on just those questions that are pertinent to the user. Users can see relevant information as they progress through the interview.

FIG. 3shows a screenshot of a user interface400of an embodiment of the systems and methods described herein, such as the user interface that is displayed upon execution of the module280shown inFIG. 2, for example. In one embodiment the interface400is generally configured to be served over a network to the user's computer from a location remote from the user's computer. In an additional embodiment, the interface400is generally configured to be generated by a desktop application residing on the user's computer. The interface400includes a tab bar402, the tab bar402being interactive and capable of being selected by a user, using a conventional pointer. A tab is a high level navigation tool found in the tab bar402in one embodiment. Each tab represents a topical selection. In one embodiment, the tab operates as a container for each of the various tax topics that can logically be grouped together.

In the example shown, the tab bar402includes a welcome tab404, a personal tab410, an income tab415, a deductions tab420, and a summary tab425. In an embodiment, the income tab415includes topics related to income earned, the personal tab410includes non-identifying personal information related to filing a tax return such as marital status, and the deductions tab420includes deductions that a taxpayer may take during the current tax year. Also included are the welcome tab404, which provides a user with general welcome information, and a summary tab425, which provides a user with a summary of a generated checklist and further options such as printing.

A tab becomes active when a user selects the tab using a computer peripheral pointing device, such as a mouse. An inactive tab is any tab that is not selected and does not show it contents while another tab is selected as active. In some embodiments, tabs may also be activated using a hover status, which allows an inactive tab to become active when a pointer hovers over the inactive tab. If the pointer is held over a tab using a pointing device for preferably three to five seconds, a click event occurs and that tab is activated. In an example embodiment, information related to an active tab is presented in a first window area430and a tax preparation checklist440is presented in a second window area442that is separated from the first window area430by a pane444. Other presentation formats may be used in other embodiments.

InFIG. 3, the personal tab410is active. In an example embodiment, non-identifying personal information is requested. Such non-identifying personal information may include tax filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, qualifying widow(er), etc.), age, spouse's age, educational institution attendance, military service, and dependent information. Hovering or clicking with a pointer controlled by a pointing device such as a mouse over/on a particular question or question mark icon may cause a flyout446to appear in some embodiments. The flyout446provides additional information to help the user correctly provide the requested information. The flyout446shown inFIG. 3is associated with a selection of year 2006 single filing status and states that single filing status should be used if the user was single on Dec. 31, 2006 and is not living with a dependent (child or disabled adult).

FIG. 4shows a screenshot of the interface400after information has been entered in the first window area430associated with the personal tab410. Information may be entered in a plurality of ways in varying embodiments. InFIG. 4, it can be seen that radio buttons, check boxes, and alphanumeric entry windows are used. As information is entered, the names of related supporting documents and other required information are presented in the tax preparation checklist440so the user will know which documents/information they will need to provide or have at the ready when preparing their taxes.

In some embodiments, information is requested from the user only if they have indicated in a higher level question that such information is relevant. For example, the information listed below a “Dependents” checkbox inFIG. 4only appears (in the illustrated embodiment, in cascade fashion) after the Dependents checkbox has been checked affirmatively by the user. This can also be seen with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, where a “Got married in 2006” checkbox appears after the married filing jointly radio button has been selected. A continue button448is also used in some examples to indicate that a user is finished with a current section and wishes to proceed to a following section. Some embodiments also use accordions to control the display of information.FIG. 3shows a “Personal Information” accordion and a “Personal Summary” accordion. The Personal Information accordion is shown in an expanded state, while the Personal Summary accordion is shown in a closed state. Accordions may be expanded or closed by clicking on a triangular shaped or other icon in an accordion header bar that describes the content of the accordion. The structure and use of accordions is also described in a different context in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/838,761 titled ‘Tax-Return Preparation Systems and Methods’, filed Aug. 14, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 5shows the active personal tab410of the user interface400after personal information has been entered by the user. After the required information has been entered, advice relating to the entered information may be presented to the user. This advice is shown in a number of expandable accordions that are labeled as including tax tips. Expansion of a tax tip accordion provides advice to the user relating to particular aspects of their situation, such as the fact that they had a dependent child that attended daycare during the taxable year, for example.

FIG. 6shows the user interface400after the income tab415has been activated and information has been entered by the user. Information such as wage, salary, and tip (form W-2) income, interest and dividend income, and investment income is requested on the active income tab415. As indications are made that the user had particular forms of income during the taxable year, the tax preparation checklist440grows to indicate the relevant supporting documents that will be needed for tax preparation. In some cases, there may be more information than can be displayed in the first window area430or the second window area442. In those cases, a first scroll bar450for the first window area430and/or a second scroll bar452for the second window area442may be used to scroll through the information. Other means such as next page and previous page buttons (not shown) may also be used in some embodiments to view more information than can be displayed in any particular window.

FIG. 7shows the user interface400after the deductions tab420has been activated and information has been entered by the user. Information such as whether the user paid home mortgage interest, donated money to charities, or had individual retirement account (IRA) contributions during the taxable year is requested on the active deductions tab420. As indications are made that the user had particular forms of income during the taxable year, the tax preparation checklist440grows to indicate the relevant supporting documents that will be needed for tax preparation.

FIG. 8shows an example of the user interface400after the summary tab425has been activated and an accordion designated as ‘takeit—tax preparation checklist’ has been expanded. The expanded accordion includes items that appeared in the tax preparation checklist440, but they now appear in the first window area430rather than in the second window area442. The second window area442now includes a title bar460designated as ‘you got people’. The second window area442also includes a set of selectable utilities operable to facilitate preparation of a tax return. Such utilities include a ‘print my organizer’ section462, a ‘go to an office’ section464, an ‘online office’ section466, a ‘tax calculators’ section468, and a ‘do it yourself’ section470. In an example embodiment, clicking on the ‘print my organizer’ section462brings up a print dialog box (not shown) and sends the tax preparation checklist to a designated printer. In some embodiments, relevant tax tips, such as those described with reference toFIG. 5, may also be sent to the designated printer for printing.

Still referring toFIG. 8, in one example clicking on the ‘go to an office’ section464brings up a search dialog that requests the user to enter a location near which they would like to find the nearest office offering professional return-preparation services. After the user enters location information, information for one or more of the closest offices to the entered location is presented to the user. Such information may include an address, telephone number, email address, and/or a fax number for the office locations, a map of the office locations, and/or directions to the office locations. Clicking on the ‘online office’ section466brings up additional information that can enable the user to work with a tax professional over a computer network, such as the network220shown inFIG. 2. In some embodiments, the user is able to transfer the answers they provided to the questions on the personal tab410, the income tab415, and the deductions tab420to the tax professional to expedite the tax preparation process. Clicking on the ‘tax calculators’ section468brings up additional tax tools and calculators for the user. Clicking on the ‘do it yourself’ section470brings up and/or links to a do it yourself tax application such as OB1. In some embodiments, the user is able to transfer the answers they provided to the do it yourself tax application. In an example embodiment, the user interface400also includes other accordion items (not shown) under the summary tab425, that are viewable in the first window area430when the ‘takeit—tax preparation checklist’ accordion is closed and/or when a user scrolls down the first window area430by using the first scroll bar450. Such other accordion items include a ‘reviewit’ accordion for providing an opportunity to review the entered answers and/or to present a closing statement to the user, an ‘understandit—items to consider’ accordion for presenting tailored advice to the user, and a ‘that's it—what's next’ accordion for presenting information to the user regarding tax preparation options.

FIG. 9illustrates a process700according to an embodiment of the invention. The process700is illustrated as a set of operations shown as discrete blocks. The process700may be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. The order in which the operations are described is not to be necessarily construed as a limitation.

First, at a block710, a user is provided with a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by an electronic device, generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the electronic device. Then, at a block714, questions are presented to the user through the user interface. Next, at a block718, answers are received from the user to the presented questions. Then, at a block722, a tax preparation checklist is generated based on the received answers. Next, at a block726, advice is generated based on the received answers. Then, at a block730, the tax preparation checklist is presented to the user. Next, at a block734, the advice is presented to the user. Then, at a block738, the received answers are stored, such as on the non-removable storage device110shown inFIG. 1or database240ofFIG. 2. Next, at a block740, the tax preparation checklist is printed. Then, at a block744, the stored answers are transferred to a tax preparation program.

Although the steps listed in the method700are presented in a particular order inFIG. 9, it should be understood that many of the steps may occur in differing orders or simultaneously without departing from the invention. For example, the tax preparation checklist and the advice may be presented in differing orders or simultaneously to the user. In addition, in an example embodiment, the tax preparation checklist is presented incrementally to the user as the user answers the presented questions. In some embodiments, the steps may be performed on the user's computer, while in other embodiments, some or all of the steps are conducted over a computer network, such as the network220shown inFIG. 2, for example. In other embodiments, storing the received answers may occur after each answer is entered or not at all, and/or stored answers may not be transferred to a tax preparation program and/or items may not be printed.