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

• US 8,321,311 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2009
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SurePrep, LLC
• Original Assignee: SurePrep, LLC
• Inventors: Wyle, David A., Karkare, Makarand
• Primary Examiner(s): Frenel, Vanel
• Application Number:
  US12/510,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20090287591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 705/31, 707/821
• 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 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, at a client device, a first selection from the user, and based on the first selection, displaying, on the client device, a first income tax return information submission screen;

receiving, at a main server system, first income tax return information submitted using the first income tax return information submission screen, the first income tax return information having a first identification code;

receiving, at the client device, a second selection from the user, and based on the second selection, displaying, on the client device, a second income tax return information submission screen;

receiving, at the main server system, second income tax return information submitted using the second income tax return information submission screen, the second income tax return information having a second identification code identical to the first identification code of the first income tax return information; and

displaying, on the client device, an income tax return tracking screen having a completion status of a plurality of income tax return preparation steps.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first income tax return information submission screen is a files screen.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first income tax return information corresponds to information fields located on a 1099, W-2, K-1, dividend statement, income statement, profit and loss statement or settlement statement.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second income tax return information submission screen is an images screen.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second income tax return information includes information from a plurality of tax documents.

6. The method of claim 5, 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.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

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

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the third income tax return information submission screen is an information screen; and

the third income tax return information includes instructions to the service provider related to the engagement.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a third selection from the user, and based on the third selection, generating a third income tax return information submission screen;

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

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

10. 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 an income tax return 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 having an identification code;

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

transmit tax document information having an identification code identical to the identification code of the income tax return; and

display a submit engagement screen having a completion status of a plurality of income tax return preparation steps after the user selects the submit icon.

11. The computer program of claim 10, 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.

12. The computer program of claim 10, 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.

13. The computer program of claim 10, further comprising instructions to transmit the income tax return information and the tax document information to a remote server system.

14. The computer program of claim 13, further comprising instructions to receive, at a main server system, a completed tax return document.

15. The computer program of claim 14, 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.