Abstract: Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for efficiently calculating an electronic tax return, such as within a tax return preparation system. A computerized tax return preparation system accesses taxpayer-specific tax data from a shared data store. The system executes a tax calculation engine configured to perform a plurality of tax calculations based on a tax calculation graph and the taxpayer-specific tax data from the shared data store. The system is configured to perform only the calculations in the tax calculation graph which are changed by new taxpayer-specific tax data received since the preceding tax calculation executed by the tax calculation engine. The system may also determine whether the new taxpayer-specific tax data does, or does not change the calculated tax return and the reason why.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for inferring or estimating user-related data for use with tax preparation software is disclosed. The method uses a computer that connects to the one or more remotely located data sources and executing a data capture utility, the data capture utility capturing at least some tax data pertaining to the user. The computing device executes an estimation module that receives the captured tax data pertaining to the user and generates one or more estimates and stores the one or more estimates in a data store associated with the tax preparation software, the data store configured to store user-specific tax data therein. The computing device executes a tax calculation engine of the tax preparation software configured to read the user-specific tax data contained in the data store and compute an intermediate or final tax liability or refund amount.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for collecting tax data for an electronic tax return preparation program includes a tax logic agent reading a user data profile indexed to a user ID for a user to identify an identifier of a missing datum. The method also includes a match system identifying a data source corresponding to the identifier of the missing datum. The method further includes the match system generating a partition for the user data profile. Moreover, the method includes a dispatch system generating a target queue for the data source using the partition. The target queue includes the identifier of the missing datum. In addition, the method includes a data collector querying the data source based on the target queue to collect data corresponding to the identifier of the missing datum. The method also includes an importer generating a modified user data profile using the collected data.

Abstract: A modular, computerized tax return preparation application engine including modular tax logic engine and interface controller components loosely coupled to each other and a modular completion monitor. Modular tax logic engine receives runtime data of the tax return and generates a first non-binding suggestion involving a tax topic that is incomplete based on first runtime data and a decision table. Modular interface controller generates a first interface including a first interview screen including content based on the first non-binding suggestion. For iterations or changes of runtime data, completion monitor determines when a previously complete tax topic is now incomplete and notifies modular interface controller regarding the completion status modification. In response modular interface controller generates a second interface comprising an encoded link to an interview screen or screens to address previously complete but currently incomplete tax topics.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, system and computer program products for determining what to present to a user of a tax preparation application. A tax compliance or rule module receives runtime data of the electronic tax return and tax rules specifying tax authority requirements. The rule module executes at least one tax rule utilizing the runtime data to generate a non-binding suggestion, which is provided as an input to loosely coupled interface controller. The interface controller determines content of an interview screen for display to the user based at least in part upon factors including the non-binding suggestion, and presents the interview screen including the determined content to the user via a user interface. The content may or may not include content based on the non-binding suggestion depending on processing by the interface controller.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and articles of manufacture for rendering paginated interview screens that include arrangements of tax questions or topics representative of question or topic relevancy and that are selected and arranged based at least in part upon determined question or topic categorization and/or ranking. Different pagination structures may be utilized to visually indicate tax question or topic relevancy and to encourage or enable users of a tax return preparation application to answer more pertinent questions or topics before others, while also allowing the user to navigate or scroll questions or topics of paginated screens and to select questions or topics to answer or address at the user's discretion, without being restricted by a pre-determined sequence of interview questions or hard-coded question-and-answer frameworks. Interview screen paginations and content thereof are dynamically updated as runtime data of the electronic tax return is received or updated.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems, methods and articles for preparing and/or submitting a plurality of different types of compliance forms for submission to a regulatory agency. The system includes a computing device, a data store, and a compliance form software program executable by the computing device. The compliance program includes a universal calculation engine, logic agent and user interface manager which are configured to process a respective domain model configured for each type of compliance form. Each domain model includes a calculation graph, a completeness model comprising decision table(s) and/or completeness graph(s), user interface assets and filing rules configured specifically for a particular type of compliance form. The rules and regulations for each type of compliance form are embodied in the declaratory data structures of the respective calculation graph and completeness graph for each domain model.

Abstract: A technique for controlling release of data associated with an account is described. During this data-privacy management technique, a computer system provides at least a subset of data associated with an account to a third party based on a first consent (which may be received from a user of the account). This subset may have a first classification based on a taxonomy. Subsequently, the third party may notify the computer system that additional data has been derived from the data. In response, the computer system may determine a second classification of the additional data based on a taxonomy. If this second classification is other than a subset of the first classification, the computer system may request a second consent (for example, from the user).

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, system and computer program products for determining what to present to a user of a tax preparation application. A tax compliance or rule module receives runtime data of the electronic tax return and tax rules specifying tax authority requirements. The rule module executes at least one tax rule utilizing the runtime data to generate a non-binding suggestion, which is provided as an input to loosely coupled interface controller. The interface controller determines content of an interview screen for display to the user based at least in part upon factors including the non-binding suggestion, and presents the interview screen including the determined content to the user via a user interface. The content may or may not include content based on the non-binding suggestion depending on processing by the interface controller.

Abstract: A technique for controlling release of data associated with an account is described. During this data-privacy management technique, a computer system provides at least a subset of data associated with an account to a third party based on a first consent (which may be received from a user of the account). This subset may have a first classification based on a taxonomy. Subsequently, the third party may notify the computer system that additional data has been derived from the data. In response, the computer system may determine a second classification of the additional data based on a taxonomy. If this second classification is other than a subset of the first classification, the computer system may request a second consent (for example, from the user).

Abstract: A technique for controlling release of data associated with an account is described. During this data-privacy management technique, a computer system provides at least a subset of data associated with an account to a third party based on a first consent (which may be received from a user of the account). This subset may have a first classification based on a taxonomy. Subsequently, the third party may notify the computer system that additional data has been derived from the data. In response, the computer system may determine a second classification of the additional data based on a taxonomy. If this second classification is other than a subset of the first classification, the computer system may request a second consent (for example, from the user).

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and articles of manufacture for rendering paginated interview screens that include arrangements of tax questions or topics representative of question or topic relevancy and that are selected and arranged based at least in part upon determined question or topic categorization and/or ranking. Different pagination structures may be utilized to visually indicate tax question or topic relevancy and to encourage or enable users of a tax return preparation application to answer more pertinent questions or topics before others, while also allowing the user to navigate or scroll questions or topics of paginated screens and to select questions or topics to answer or address at the user's discretion, without being restricted by a pre-determined sequence of interview questions or hard-coded question-and-answer frameworks. Interview screen paginations and content thereof are dynamically updated as runtime data of the electronic tax return is received or updated.

Abstract: A technique for controlling release of data associated with an account is described. During this data-privacy management technique, a computer system provides at least a subset of data associated with an account to a third party based on a first consent (which may be received from a user of the account). This subset may have a first classification based on a predefined taxonomy. Subsequently, the third party may notify the computer system that additional data has been derived from the data. In response, the computer system may determine a second classification of the additional data based on a predefined taxonomy. If this second classification is other than a subset of the first classification, the computer system may request a second consent (for example, from the user).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for implementing adaptive levels of authentication assurance according to sensitivity or criticality of information accessed or actions performed in a financial management system to enhance user experience and usability of the financial management system while providing adequate security to safeguard sensitive data. Various flow nodes are associated with one or more levels of assurance which are further associated with some authentication tokens of different authentication strengths. Users are usually first authenticated with a lower authentication strength token. Risk profiles may also be accessed to examine the users' requests for access for fraud detection or prevention purposes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for collecting tax data for an electronic tax return preparation program includes a tax logic agent reading a user data profile indexed to a user ID for a user to identify an identifier of a missing datum. The method also includes a match system identifying a data source corresponding to the identifier of the missing datum. The method further includes the match system generating a partition for the user data profile. Moreover, the method includes a dispatch system generating a target queue for the data source using the partition. The target queue includes the identifier of the missing datum. In addition, the method includes a data collector querying the data source based on the target queue to collect data corresponding to the identifier of the missing datum. The method also includes an importer generating a modified user data profile using the collected data.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for determining impact chains from a calculation graph for calculating taxes. The system includes a computing device, a data store in communication with the computing device and a tax preparation software application executable by the computing device. The tax preparation software application has a tax calculation engine, a tax calculation graph, and an impact chain engine. The tax calculation engine is configured to perform a plurality of tax calculation operations based on a tax calculation graph. The impact chain engine is configured to analyze the tax calculation graph and determine an impact chain for each of a plurality of nodes in the graph, wherein an impact chain for a respective node consists of one of (a) each of the other nodes which are affected by the respective node, or (b) each of the other nodes which affect the respective node.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems, methods and articles for preparing and/or submitting a plurality of different types of compliance forms for submission to a regulatory agency. The system includes a computing device, a data store, and a compliance form software program executable by the computing device. The compliance program includes a universal calculation engine, logic agent and user interface manager which are configured to process a respective domain model configured for each type of compliance form. Each domain model includes a calculation graph, a completeness model comprising decision table(s) and/or completeness graph(s), user interface assets and filing rules configured specifically for a particular type of compliance form. The rules and regulations for each type of compliance form are embodied in the declaratory data structures of the respective calculation graph and completeness graph for each domain model.

Abstract: A modular, computerized tax return preparation application engine including modular tax logic engine and interface controller components loosely coupled to each other and a modular completion monitor. Modular tax logic engine receives runtime data of the tax return and generates a first non-binding suggestion involving a tax topic that is incomplete based on first runtime data and a decision table. Modular interface controller generates a first interface including a first interview screen including content based on the first non-binding suggestion. For iterations or changes of runtime data, completion monitor determines when a previously complete tax topic is now incomplete and notifies modular interface controller regarding the completion status modification. In response modular interface controller generates a second interface comprising an encoded link to an interview screen or screens to address previously complete but currently incomplete tax topics.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for implementing adaptive levels of authentication assurance according to sensitivity or criticality of information accessed or actions performed in a financial management system to enhance user experience and usability of the financial management system while providing adequate security to safeguard sensitive data. Various flow nodes are associated with one or more levels of assurance which are further associated with some authentication tokens of different authentication strengths. Users are usually first authenticated with a lower authentication strength token. Risk profiles may also be accessed to examine the users' requests for access for fraud detection or prevention purposes.

Abstract: A technique for enrolling an individual for a service is described. During this enrollment technique, a match between an identifier provided by and associated with the individual is determined with an existing identifier associated with another service. If there is a correspondence between the service and the other service, enrollment information from the other service is used in an enrollment process for the service, which allows a subset of the enrollment process to be performed. Otherwise, the full enrollment process for the service is performed. In this case, reconciliation of the identifier and the existing identifier (for example, asking the individual if they also use the other service) is delayed until after the enrollment process is completed.