Methods and systems for managing tax audit information

• US 20030144930A1
• Filed: 01/31/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Vigliano, Carol Sue, Hinds, Jason Robert, Ryan, John Joseph, Kulkarni, Ravindra Raghunath Rao, Byrd, Susan Elaine, Harlacher, Thomas Forrest
• Granted Patent: US 7,295,998 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/31
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/207 Tax processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/123 Tax preparation or submission
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 25/00 Models for purposes not provided for in G09B23/00, e.g. full-sized devices for demonstration purposes model vehicles, tracks therefor, models in the nature of toys A63H

Abstract

A method for managing tax audit (TA) information for a business entity using a server system is provided. The server system is coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system. Th method includes receiving at the server system TA information from the client system, storing TA information received at the server system in the centralized database, tracking TA information stored in the centralized database, updating the centralized database periodically with newly received TA information to maintain TA information, and providing TA information in response to an inquiry.

Claims

1. A method for managing tax audit (TA) information for a business entity using a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising:

receiving at the server system TA information from the client system;

storing TA information received at the server system in the centralized database;

tracking TA information stored in the centralized database;

updating the centralized database periodically with newly received TA information to maintain TA information; and

providing TA information in response to an inquiry.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising notifying a predesignated party of a review of TA information by an auditor.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein receiving TA information comprises receiving at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction for each facility within a business entity.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein receiving TA information comprises receiving TA information input through the client system for the business entity.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein tracking TA information comprises compiling a data report including at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, comments, jurisdiction comments, image, and account number.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein tracking TA information comprises compiling a data report that includes a selected subset of at least one of a reference number, merchandise amount, vendor name, tax base, voucher, tax rate, business entity status, jurisdiction/auditor status, voucher description, account description, comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, and an account number.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein tracking TA information comprises exporting TA information selected by a user to a spreadsheet computer program for review.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein tracking TA information further comprises linking at least one of invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction to a business transaction within an audit sample.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing TA information comprises:

displaying designated audit samples on the client system for at least one of an auditor, an analyst, and a business user; and

receiving an inquiry from the client system regarding at least one of the audit samples.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing TA information comprises:

displaying information on the client system regarding at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, and an account number; and

receiving an inquiry from the client system regarding at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, and the account number.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing TA information comprises:

accessing the centralized database;

searching the database regarding the specific inquiry;

retrieving information from the database; and

transmitting the retrieved information to the client system for display by the client system.

12. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing TA information comprises providing at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction for a business entity to at least one of an auditor, an analyst, and a business user.

13. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein notifying the predesignated party comprises transmitting an electronic message to an analyst from the auditor notifying the analyst that a review of the TA information by the auditor has occurred, and notifying the analyst of the auditor'"'"'s comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information.

14. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising connecting the client system and the server system via a network that includes one of a wide area network, a local area network, an intranet and the Internet.

15. A method for managing tax audit (TA) information for a business entity using a server system coupled to a centralized database, at least one managerial user system, and at least one client system, said method comprising:

receiving at the server system TA information through the client system, the TA information including at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction;

storing TA information received at the server system in the centralized database;

tracking TA information stored in the centralized database;

updating the centralized database periodically with newly received TA information to maintain TA information;

providing TA information in response to an inquiry;

notifying a user of the results of an audit of TA information; and

providing an electronic report of the audit results to the managerial user system, which includes at least one of a summary of TA information reviewed, and comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein receiving TA information comprises receiving an audit sample from an analyst through the client system, the audit sample includes TA information for a designated facility within the business entity.

17. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein tracking TA information comprises:

compiling a data report including at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, and the account number;

compiling a data report that includes a selected subset of at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, and the account number;

exporting TA information selected by a user to a spreadsheet computer program for review; and

linking at least one of invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction to a business transaction within an audit sample.

18. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein providing an electronic report comprises transmitting an electronic report to the managerial user system from an analyst including a summary of the review of TA information, and the auditor'"'"'s comments and findings such that managerial oversight of the TA information is facilitated and compliance with tax laws, rules, regulations, standards, and policies is assured.

19. A method for managing tax audit (TA) information using a web-based system including a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising:

receiving at the server system TA information from a user through the client system, the TA information including at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction;

storing TA information received at the server system in the centralized database;

tracking TA information including compiling data reports, exporting TA information, and linking documents to a business transaction within an audit sample;

updating the centralized database with TA information including adding and deleting information to revise existing TA information;

providing TA information including at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, the account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction, in response to an inquiry, including downloading requested information from the server system and displaying requested information on the client system, the inquiry including utilizing at least one pull-down lists, check boxes, and hypertext links;

notifying a user through an electronic message of the results of an audit, including comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information; and

providing a report of the audit results by transmitting an electronic report to the managerial user system, which includes a summary of the review of TA information, and an auditor'"'"'s comments and findings such that managerial oversight of the TA information is facilitated and compliance with tax laws, rules, regulations, standards, and policies is assured.

20. A network based system for managing tax audit (TA) information, said system comprising:

a client system comprising a browser;

a centralized database for storing information;

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said database, said server system further configured to;

receive TA information from the client system;

store TA information in the centralized database;

track TA information;

update the centralized database periodically with newly received TA information to maintain TA information;

provide TA information in response to an inquiry by a user; and

notify users electronically of a review of the TA information by an auditor, including the auditor'"'"'s comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information.

21. A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said client system further comprises at least one of:

a displaying component for displaying at least one of a pull-down list, a check box, and hypertext link options relating to TA information;

a sending component to send an inquiry to the server system so that the server system can process and download the requested information to the client system;

a collection component for collecting TA information from users into the centralized database;

a tracking component for tracking TA information;

a displaying component for displaying TA information on at least one audit sample;

a receiving component for receiving an inquiry from the client system regarding at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction;

an accessing component for accessing the centralized database and causing the retrieved information to be displayed on the client system; and

a notifying component for electronically notifying users that a review of TA information by the auditor has occurred, and of the auditor'"'"'s comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information.

22. A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said server system further comprises a receiving component for receiving an inquiry to provide information from one of a plurality of users.

23. A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said server system further comprises a processing component for searching and processing received inquiries against the database containing information collected by the collection component, and for tracking the TA information.

24. A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said server system further comprises a retrieving component to retrieve TA information from the database.

25. A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said server system further comprises an information fulfillment component that downloads the requested information after retrieving from the database.

26. A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said server system further comprises a receiving component that receives an inquiry from the client system regarding at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction.

27. A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said server system further comprises at least one of a receiving component that receives information directly through the client system, and a receiving component that receives information in a pre-determined format established for inputting TA information.

28. A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said server system further comprises a tracking component that accomplishes at least one of:

compiling a data report including at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, and an account number;

compiling a data report that includes a selected subset of at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, and the account number;

exporting TA information selected by a user to a spreadsheet computer program for review; and

linking at least one of invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction to a business transaction within an audit sample.

29. A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said server system further comprises a notifying component that notifies a user via transmitting an electronic message to the client system of a review of the TA information by the auditor, including the auditor'"'"'s comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information.

30. A network based system for managing, storing, and disseminating tax audit (TA) information, said system comprising:

a client system comprising a browser;

a managerial user system comprising a browser;

a centralized database for storing information;

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system, said managerial user system, and said database, said server system further configured to;

receive TA information from the client system, said TA information comprising at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction;

store TA information in the centralized database;

track TA information;

update the centralized database periodically with newly received TA information to maintain TA information;

provide TA information in response to an inquiry;

notify a user electronically of the results of an audit of TA information; and

provide an electronic report of the audit results to the managerial user system, which includes a summary of the TA information reviewed, and comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information.

31. A system in accordance with claim 30 wherein providing TA information comprises:

displaying designated audit samples on the client system for at least one of an auditor, an analyst, and a business user; and

receiving an inquiry from the client system regarding at least one of the audit samples.

32. A system in accordance with claim 30 wherein said server system further comprises a receiving component that receives an inquiry from the client system regarding certain topics including at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, the account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction.

33. A system in accordance with claim 30 wherein said server system further comprises a processing component that cross-references TA information to assure compliance with tax laws, rules, regulations, standards, and policies.

34. A system in accordance with claim 30 wherein said server system further comprises a notifying component that notifies users by transmitting an electronic report from the server system of a review of the TA information by an auditor, including the auditor'"'"'s comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information.

35. A system in accordance with claim 30 wherein said server system further comprises a providing component that provides an electronic report to the managerial user system by transmitting an electronic report to the managerial user system from an analyst comprising a summary of the review of TA information, including the auditor'"'"'s comments and findings, such that managerial oversight of the TA information is facilitated and compliance with tax laws, rules, regulations, standards, and policies is assured.

36. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for managing tax audit (TA) information, said program comprising a code segment that receives TA information and then:

maintains a database by adding, deleting and updating TA information;

provides users with access to TA information;

generates data reports based on TA information that include at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction;

compiles data reports that include at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, and the account number;

compiles data reports that include a selected subset of at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, and the account number;

exports TA information selected by a user to a spreadsheet computer program for review;

links at least one of invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction to a business transaction within an audit sample;

notifies a user of a review of TA information by an auditor; and

provides a report comprising a summary of the review of TA information, including the auditor'"'"'s comments and findings.

37. A computer program in accordance with claim 36 further comprising a code segment that provides at least one of an option to filter TA information based on at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, and the account number.

38. A computer program in accordance with claim 36 further comprising a code segment that generates a display of at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, the account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction for each facility within a business entity.

39. A computer program in accordance with claim 36 further comprising:

a code segment that accesses said database;

a code segment that searches said database in response to an inquiry;

a code segment that retrieves information from said database;

a code segment that causes retrieved information to be displayed on a client system;

a code segment that notifies a user of a review of the TA information; and

a code segment that causes a report summarizing the review of TA information to be transmitted.

40. A computer program in accordance with claim 36 further comprising a code segment that monitors the security of the system by restricting access to authorized individuals.

41. A computer program in accordance with claim 36 further comprising a code segment that cross-references existing TA information with newly received TA information.