Spending Account Systems and Methods

• US 20070185799A1
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Liberty Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Malnati, Leigh, Harrison, Sarah, Klaboe, Dana, Jagatic, Jason
• Application Number:
  US11/461,365
• Publication Number:
  US 20070185799A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/36.T
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/10 Tax strategies

Abstract

A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase utilizing a tax-advantaged account. A request for payment for an item is received at a host computer. The item comprises any item that qualifies for pre-tax treatment, including, but not limited to: a medical expense; a dental expense; a dependent care expense; a childcare expense; a work-related parking expense; and a work-related transportation expense. The system determines whether the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment. If the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment, then the tax-advantaged account is debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of the item based on the payment request.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method to facilitate a purchase utilizing a tax-advantaged account, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving, at a host computer, a request for payment for an item, wherein said item comprises any item that qualifies for pre-tax treatment, including, but not limited to;

a medical expense;

a dental expense;

a dependent care expense;

a childcare expense;

a work-related parking expense; and

a work-related transportation expense;

b) determining whether said item qualifies for pre-tax treatment; and

c) if said item qualifies for pre-tax treatment, then causing the tax-advantaged account to be debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of said item based on said payment request.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

d) receiving at least one item identifier to identify said item, wherein said item identifier comprises one or more of;

a requestor name;

a price for said item;

a stockkeeping unit (SKU) for said item;

a Universal Product Code (UPC) for said item;

a serial number of said item;

a reference number of said item;

a category number of said item;

a service type indicator of said item; and

/or

a description of said item.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein

step (b) comprises the steps of:

(i) matching said at least one item identifier with an item identifier for an item that qualifies for pre-tax treatment, and

(ii) classifying said item as qualifying for pre-tax treatment based on said matching step.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein

step (a) comprises the step of:

(i) receiving at least one item identifier to identify said item, wherein said item identifier comprises one or more of;

a stockkeeping unit (SKU) for said item, and

a Universal Product Code (UPC) for said item; and

step (b) comprises the steps of;

(i) matching said at least one item identifier with an item identifier for an item that qualifies for pre-tax treatment, and

(ii) classifying said item as qualifying for pre-tax treatment based on said matching step.