Abstract: A tax data collection system includes a navigation module configured to obtain user data. The system also includes a data graph including information relating to the user data. The system further includes a knowledge engine configured to map the user data onto a data model using the information from the data graph. Moreover, the system includes an inference engine configured to suggest a system action by analyzing at least the data model after the user data has been mapped thereon.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a data stream comprising content generated by an application executing on a user device. The data stream is received from a guidance service that is separate from the application. The data stream is processed using a set of machine learning models to identify a first set of artifacts within the content. A first state of the application is identified based on the first set of artifacts. First transition data is identified in a logic flow of the application. The first transition data corresponds to transitioning from the first state to a second state of the application. Based on the first transition data, first guidance data is generated that describes user input for transitioning the application from the first state to the second state. The first guidance data is sent to the user device, where it is separately presented from the application by the guidance service.

Abstract: A method includes establishing a connection with a spreadsheet at a source location, receiving at least one selected field from an entry in the spreadsheet at the source location, and generating an assured reference record for the entry using at least one value in the at least one selected field. The assured reference record includes an assurance value and a reference to the entry at the source location. The method further includes storing, at a second location, the assured reference record in an assured reference file associated with the spreadsheet. The method further includes validating, after storing the assured reference record, the reference to the first entry in the spreadsheet at the source location using the first assurance value in the assured reference record.

Abstract: A system for masking tax data during collaborative preparation of an electronic tax return, the system includes a server computer having a tax return preparation program running thereon. The system also includes a tax return preparation computer having a first browser program running thereon. The system further includes a support computer having a second browser program running thereon. Moreover, the system includes a network operatively coupling the server computer, tax return preparation computer, and the support computer. The first browser includes a masking module configured to automatically mask a tax datum without user intervention before transmitting the tax datum to the server computer for subsequent transmission to the support computer. The tax datum is masked in real time during collaborative preparation of the electronic tax return.

Abstract: A system for facilitating user interaction with a tax return preparation program includes a completion graph parser configured to identify a portion of a tax return completion graph corresponding to a tax topic. The system also includes a query object creator configured to analyze and assign a node in the portion as a query object property. The system further includes a natural language synthesis engine configured to map the property to a first natural language question. Moreover, the system includes a natural language analysis engine configured to analyze user input and to identify a characteristic that maps to the property based on the user input. In addition, the system includes a runner interface configured to modify the query object based on the characteristic, update the tax return completion graph based on the modified query object, and analyze the updated tax return completion graph to determine whether it is complete.

Abstract: A system for facilitating user interaction with a tax return preparation program includes a completion graph parser configured to identify a portion of a tax return completion graph corresponding to a tax topic. The system also includes a query object creator configured to analyze and assign a node in the portion as a query object property. The system further includes a natural language synthesis engine configured to map the property to a first natural language question. Moreover, the system includes a natural language analysis engine configured to analyze user input and to identify a characteristic that maps to the property based on the user input. In addition, the system includes a runner interface configured to modify the query object based on the characteristic, update the tax return completion graph based on the modified query object, and analyze the updated tax return completion graph to determine whether it is complete.

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 system for masking tax data during collaborative preparation of an electronic tax return, the system includes a server computer having a tax return preparation program running thereon. The system also includes a tax return preparation computer having a first browser program running thereon. The system further includes a support computer having a second browser program running thereon. Moreover, the system includes a network operatively coupling the server computer, tax return preparation computer, and the support computer. The first browser includes a masking module configured to automatically mask a tax datum without user intervention before transmitting the tax datum to the server computer for subsequent transmission to the support computer. The tax datum is masked in real time during collaborative preparation of the electronic tax return.

Abstract: A system for masking tax data during collaborative preparation of an electronic tax return, the system includes a server computer having a tax return preparation program running thereon. The system also includes a tax return preparation computer having a first browser program running thereon. The system further includes a support computer having a second browser program running thereon. Moreover, the system includes a network operatively coupling the server computer, tax return preparation computer, and the support computer. The first browser includes a masking module configured to automatically mask a tax datum without user intervention before transmitting the tax datum to the server computer for subsequent transmission to the support computer. The tax datum is masked in real time during collaborative preparation of the electronic tax return.

Abstract: A tax data collection system includes a navigation module configured to obtain user data. The system also includes a data graph including information relating to the user data. The system further includes a knowledge engine configured to map the user data onto a data model using the information from the data graph. Moreover, the system includes an inference engine configured to suggest a system action by analyzing at least the data model after the user data has been mapped thereon.

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 system for facilitating user interaction with a tax return preparation program includes a completion graph parser configured to identify a portion of a tax return completion graph corresponding to a tax topic. The system also includes a query object creator configured to analyze and assign a node in the portion as a query object property. The system further includes a natural language synthesis engine configured to map the property to a first natural language question. Moreover, the system includes a natural language analysis engine configured to analyze user input and to identify a characteristic that maps to the property based on the user input. In addition, the system includes a runner interface configured to modify the query object based on the characteristic, update the tax return completion graph based on the modified query object, and analyze the updated tax return completion graph to determine whether it is complete.

Abstract: A system for masking tax data during collaborative preparation of an electronic tax return, the system includes a server computer having a tax return preparation program running thereon. The system also includes a tax return preparation computer having a first browser program running thereon. The system further includes a support computer having a second browser program running thereon. Moreover, the system includes a network operatively coupling the server computer, tax return preparation computer, and the support computer. The first browser includes a masking module configured to automatically mask a tax datum without user intervention before transmitting the tax datum to the server computer for subsequent transmission to the support computer. The tax datum is masked in real time during collaborative preparation of the electronic tax return.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for populating a field on a form. The method includes: establishing a communication session between a first computing device and a second computing device; receiving, from a user of the first computing device, a selection of source data; transferring, over the secure communication session, the source data from the first computing device to the second computing device; matching, based on a matching criterion, the source data to the field in the second computing device; calculating, after matching the source data to the field, a value for the field based on the matching criterion and the source data; and populating the field with the value.

Abstract: A method involves generating a partially completed tax return based on basic user information without needing to obtain other user inputs through an extensive user interview. A list of simple and concise interview questions are generated or selected from an interview question collection based on the partially completed tax return to finalize the tax return. The method further involves using an inference engine to allow data collection at any time and in any order via specific, personalized questions geared toward completion of the tax return. Therefore the taxpayer spends time reviewing rather than preparing his or her tax documents.

Abstract: A method involves generating a partially completed tax return based on basic user information without needing to obtain other user inputs through an extensive user interview. A list of simple and concise interview questions are generated or selected from an interview question collection based on the partially completed tax return to finalize the tax return. The method further involves using an inference engine to allow data collection at any time and in any order via specific, personalized questions geared toward completion of the tax return. Therefore the taxpayer spends time reviewing rather than preparing his or her tax documents.