Multi-stage, multi-user engagement submission and tracking process

• US 20040225581A1
• Filed: 05/07/2003
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SurePrep, LLC
• Original Assignee: SurePrep, LLC
• Inventors: Wyle, David A., Karkare, Makarand
• Granted Patent: US 7,720,616 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/31
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/123 Tax preparation or submission

Abstract

A method for submitting information for an engagement is disclosed. The method might include the steps of generating a tracking screen for tracking the submission of a plurality of files, including a tax file and an image file, each file having the same client identification code, receiving the tax file from a first client device, and updating the tracking screen to reflect the submission of the tax file. The method further might include the steps of receiving an image file from a second client device, updating the tracking screen to reflect the submission of the image file, and transmitting the plurality of files to a remote server system.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for submitting information for an engagement from a client device to a main server system, comprising:

generating a tracking screen for tracking the submission of a plurality of electronic files, including a tax file and an image file, each file having identical client identification codes;

receiving the tax file submitted from a first client device;

updating the tracking screen to reflect the submission of the tax file;

receiving an image file submitted from a second client device;

updating the tracking screen to reflect the submission of the image file; and

transmitting the plurality of files to a remote server system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tax file includes an income tax return.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image file includes a plurality of tax documents.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of tax documents are selected from a group consisting of a 1099, W-2, K-1, dividend statement, income statement, profit and loss statement and settlement statement.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving instruction data from the first client device or the second client device; and

updating the tracking screen to reflect the submission of the instruction data.

6. A method for providing a plurality of submission screens for facilitating the submission of documents to a main server system for enabling a service provider to perform an engagement using the documents, the plurality of submission screens being accessible by a user using the client device in an order selected by the user, the method comprising:

receiving a first selection from the user, and based on the first selection, generating a first submission screen;

receiving first information submitted using the first submission screen;

receiving a second selection from the user, and based on the second selection, generating a second submission screen; and

receiving second information submitted using the second submission screen.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first submission screen is a files screen.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first information includes income tax return information.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the second submission screen is an images screen.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the second information includes information from a plurality of tax documents.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of tax documents is selected from a group consisting of a 1099, W-2, K-1, dividend statement, income statement, profit and loss statement, and settlement statement.

12. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving a third selection from another user, and based on the third selection, generating a third submission screen; and

receiving third information, which is submitted using the third submission screen.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the third submission screen is an information screen; and

the third information includes instructions to the service provider related to the engagement.

14. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving a third selection from the user, and based on the third selection, generating a third submission screen;

providing a title and a status for the first information and the second information on the third submission screen; and

receiving an approval to perform the engagement using the first information and the second information.

15. A computer program for allowing a user to access a plurality of submission screens in an order selected by the user, comprising instructions operable to cause a computer to:

display a tracking screen having a tax icon, a scan icon and a submit icon;

display an upload files screen after the user selects the tax icon;

transmit income tax return information;

display an upload images screen after the user selects the scan icon;

transmit tax document information; and

display a submit engagement screen after the user selects the submit icon.

16. The computer program of claim 15, wherein:

the income tax return information includes information from an income tax return; and

the tax document information includes information from a group consisting of a 1099, W-2, K-1, dividend statement, income statement, profit and loss statement, and settlement statement.

17. The computer program of claim 15, wherein:

the income tax return information includes an income tax return document; and

the tax document information includes a file including one or more of the following documents;

a 1099, W-2, K-1, dividend statement, income statement, profit and loss statement, and settlement statement.

18. The computer program of claim 15, further comprising instructions to transmit the income tax return information and the tax document information to a remote server system.

19. The computer program of claim 18, further comprising instructions to receive, at a main server system, a completed tax return document.

20. The computer program of claim 19, further comprising instructions to delete the income tax return information and the tax document information after the completed tax return document has been received at the main server system.