METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ORGANIZING TAX INFORMATION AND PROVIDING TAX ADVICE

• US 20080189197A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HRB Innovations Incorporated (H&R Block, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: HRB Innovations Incorporated (H&R Block, Inc.)
• Inventors: West, Marc, Shaw, Neal, Allanson, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 7,818,222 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 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/123 Tax preparation or submission

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the checklist is generated incrementally to the user interface as the user responds to the solicitations.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of presenting solicitations and generating the checklist are performed by a desktop application executing on the user'"'"'s electronic device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of presenting solicitations, generating the checklist, and receiving the information set is performed by a second electronic device remote from the user'"'"'s electronic device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting solicitations includes presenting questions regarding tax filing status, income, and deductions.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the received personal information set for use in a tax-return preparation program.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising transferring the stored answers to the tax-return preparation program.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the personal information set excludes information personally identifying the user.

9. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user'"'"'s electronic device, enable the user'"'"'s electronic device to perform steps comprising:

generating 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.

10. The medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions further enable the user'"'"'s electronic device to perform the step of generating to the user interface a user-selectable set of advisory information explaining the plurality of solicitations.

11. The medium of claim 9, wherein the checklist is generated incrementally to the user interface as the user responds to the solicitations.

12. The medium of claim 9, wherein presenting solicitations includes presenting questions regarding marital status, income, and deductions.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions further enable the user'"'"'s electronic device to perform the step of storing the received personal information set for use in a tax-return preparation program.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions further enable the user'"'"'s electronic device to perform the step of transferring the stored personal information set to the tax-return preparation program.

15. A system comprising:

(a) a memory device; and

(b) a first electronic device coupled to the memory device and configured to;

(1) generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to a user'"'"'s electronic device;

(2) present to the user via the user interface a plurality of solicitations for a set of personal information describing characteristics of the user;

(3) receive via the user interface the personal information set; and

(4) based on the personal information set, generate to the user interface a checklist of tax return preparation information to be compiled by the user.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first electronic device is further configured to generate to the user interface a user-selectable set of advisory information explaining the plurality of solicitations.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the checklist is generated incrementally to the user interface as the user responds to the solicitations.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein presenting solicitations includes presenting questions regarding marital status, income, and deductions.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the first electronic device is further configured to store to the memory device the received personal information set for use in a tax-return preparation program.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first electronic device is further configured to transfer the stored personal information set to the tax-return preparation program.