Abstract: Method, system and medium for conducting a universal state tax interview. Provided are techniques to implement a universal state tax interview where interview questions can be skipped based on data obtained from any of a variety of federal tax interviews. Tax information and state-specific details can be imported from a tax data file for the taxpayer created based on the federal tax interview. In this way, state-level tax interviews for the taxpayer can be abbreviated or even skipped entirely, regardless of the provider of the software that conducted the federal tax interview.

Abstract: Method, system and medium for conducting a universal state tax interview. Provided are techniques to implement a universal state tax interview where interview questions can be skipped based on data obtained from any of a variety of federal tax interviews. Tax information and state-specific details can be imported from a tax data file for the taxpayer created based on the federal tax interview. In this way, state-level tax interviews for the taxpayer can be abbreviated or even skipped entirely, regardless of the provider of the software that conducted the federal tax interview.

Abstract: A computer program, a method, and a system for determining an effect a tax event has on a taxpayer's tax refund amount or tax owed amount (refund/owe amount). During a tax interview for preparation of a tax return using tax preparation software, tax event information related to the taxpayer's liability is inputted. The refund/owe amount is displayed via a refund/owe meter (ROM) on a graphical user interface. After each tax event is inputted or after a ROM generating event, the ROM displays an updated refund/owe amount. Additionally, the effect of the tax event on the displayed amount is presented, including a monetary amount by which a last received tax event affects the displayed amount. The effect is calculated and displayed in real time so as to dynamically change the displayed refund/owe amount in response to the last received tax event information or in response to the ROM generating event.