Abstract: The present invention is integrated tax return preparation systems and methods that provide a taxpayer with options related to review and signing of a tax return by a tax professional. The integrated systems and methods are computer-based and web-based online tax return preparation systems and tax software used by taxpayers to prepare their own electronic tax returns. Communications with a tax professional and various forms of automated electronic communications are supported so that taxpayers that prepare their own tax returns using a self-preparation tax product may have them reviewed and signed by a tax professional. Signature and review service options that are available from a retail tax preparation service and typically available to only customers of the tax preparation service are also provided to taxpayers who prepare their own tax returns using an online tax preparation system or tax software.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for preparing a tax return using electronically distributed tax return data. Electronically distributed tax return data (such as W-2 data or 1099 data) that is stored at a third party's computer system for a taxpayer is accessed to prepare the tax return. The location of the electronically distributed tax return data is provided to a tax preparer that accesses the electronic data and prepares the tax return. The taxpayer provides authorization for the tax preparer to access the electronically distributed tax return data stored at the third party system. After the current tax year, the tax preparer checks the availability of the electronically distributed tax return data. When the electronically distributed tax return data is determined to be available, the tax preparer accesses it and prepares the tax return.

Abstract: The present invention is integrated tax return preparation systems and methods that provide a taxpayer with options related to review and signing of a tax return by a tax professional. The integrated systems and methods are computer-based and web-based online tax return preparation systems and tax software used by taxpayers to prepare their own electronic tax returns. Communications with a tax professional and various forms of automated electronic communications are supported so that taxpayers that prepare their own tax returns using a self-preparation tax product may have them reviewed and signed by a tax professional. Signature and review service options that are available from a retail tax preparation service and typically available to only customers of the tax preparation service are also provided to taxpayers who prepare their own tax returns using an online tax preparation system or tax software.