Abstract: A system for explaining tax questions for an electronic tax return preparation program includes a computing device having a tax logic agent and a user interface controller. The computing device executes the tax logic agent, which analyzes a completeness graph to identify a required variable. The tax logic agent also determines whether an explanation asset is indexed to the required variable in the completeness graph, and sends an identity of the required variable to a user interface controller. The user interface controller generates a tax question corresponding to the required variable. When the tax logic agent determines that an explanation asset is indexed to the required variable in the completeness graph, the computing device presents the tax question and the explanation asset. When an explanation asset is not indexed to the required variable in the completeness graph, the computing device presents the tax question without the explanation asset.

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 acquiring benefits qualification data includes obtaining a profile corresponding to the individual. The method also includes forming respective sets of unanswered questions in each completeness graph in a set of completeness graphs by running the profile against each completeness graph. The method further includes forming a union set of unanswered questions in the set of completeness graphs from the respective sets of unanswered questions in each completeness graph. Moreover, the method includes identifying a high priority unanswered question in the union set of unanswered questions using a prioritization algorithm. Each completeness graph corresponds to a respective benefit program.

Abstract: A computing platform identifies one or more characteristics of a user accessing application software or a software service via a user interface and a field to be filled or completed in the user interface of the application software or a software service. The computing platform further determines and presents, at one or more automatic fill or completion modules that are stored at least partially in memory and function in tandem with one or more computer processors in the computing platform, a list of one or more completion candidates in the user interface of the application software or a software service at least by performing one or more incremental searches based in part or in whole upon the one or more characteristics. The field is then populated with a completion candidate from the list of one or more completion candidates.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating an explanation for a benefit qualification status change over different benefit qualification periods includes a computing device executing a benefit calculation engine. The benefit calculation engine operates on first and second benefit completeness graphs from respective first and second benefit qualification periods to perform first and second benefit qualification status determination. The first and second benefit completeness graphs each describe data dependent benefit qualification operations including a plurality of interconnecting functional nodes connected by one of a plurality of functions. The method also includes the computing device identifying the differences among nodes within the first benefit completeness graph and the second benefit completeness graph.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a notice regarding a benefit qualification status change includes receiving a change in a qualification requirement for a benefit program. The method also includes obtaining a completeness graph corresponding to the benefit program. The method further includes modifying the completeness graph based on the received change in the qualification requirement for the benefit program. Moreover, the method includes obtaining a profile corresponding to an individual. In addition, the method includes obtaining a first qualification status relating to the individual's qualification for the benefit program before the received change in the qualification requirement for the benefit program. The method also includes determining a second qualification status by running the profile against the modified completeness graph.

Abstract: A system for explaining added tax questions resulting from modified tax data for an electronic tax return preparation program includes a computing device having a completeness graph engine, an explanation engine, and a user interface controller. The computing device executes the completeness graph engine, which takes a first snapshot of input needs for a completeness graph corresponding to a tax topic, takes a second snapshot of input needs for the completeness graph corresponding to the tax topic after receiving modified tax data, and compares the first and second snapshots to identify an added variable in the completeness graph. An explanation engine analyzes the completeness graph and the modified tax data to generate an explanation asset for the added variable. A user interface controller generates a tax question corresponding to the added variable. The computing device presents the tax question and the explanation asset to a user.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for preparing a tax return in which tax questions may be generated and presented to a user in an ad hoc manner. A tax system includes a computing device executing a tax program. The tax program can display a plurality of user interface presentations, such as interview or question screens, with tax questions asking the user to provide tax data related to a taxpayer for preparing a tax return for the taxpayer. The tax program allows the user to skip a tax question on a user interface presentation, and proceed with subsequent user interface presentations. When the tax program determines that a response to the skipped tax questions is required, the tax program dynamically generates a skipped tax question user interface presentation with the skipped tax question and presents it to the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for gathering user-related tax data for use with tax preparation software includes a computing device executing a data capture utility configured to connect to one or more remotely located data sources, wherein the data capture utility captures user-specific tax data from the one or more remotely located data sources and stores the captured data in a data store. The computing device executes a tax logic engine configured to read data from the data store and determine the completeness of the data contained within the data store. The computing device communicates a message to the user regarding the level of completeness of the data contained within the data store.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for gathering user-related tax data for use with tax preparation software includes a computing device executing a data capture utility configured to connect to one or more remotely located data sources, wherein the data capture utility captures user-specific tax data from the one or more remotely located data sources and stores the captured data in a data store. The computing device executes a tax logic engine configured to read data from the data store and determine the completeness of the data contained within the data store. The computing device communicates a message to the user regarding the level of completeness of the data contained within the data store.

Abstract: A system for explaining tax questions for an electronic tax return preparation program includes a computing device having a tax logic agent and a user interface controller. The computing device executes the tax logic agent, which analyzes a completeness graph to identify a required variable. The tax logic agent also determines whether an explanation asset is indexed to the required variable in the completeness graph, and sends an identity of the required variable to a user interface controller. The user interface controller generates a tax question corresponding to the required variable. When the tax logic agent determines that an explanation asset is indexed to the required variable in the completeness graph, the computing device presents the tax question and the explanation asset. When an explanation asset is not indexed to the required variable in the completeness graph, the computing device presents the tax question without the explanation asset.

Abstract: A system for explaining added tax questions resulting from modified tax data for an electronic tax return preparation program includes a computing device having a completeness graph engine, an explanation engine, and a user interface controller. The computing device executes the completeness graph engine, which takes a first snapshot of input needs for a completeness graph corresponding to a tax topic, takes a second snapshot of input needs for the completeness graph corresponding to the tax topic after receiving modified tax data, and compares the first and second snapshots to identify an added variable in the completeness graph. An explanation engine analyzes the completeness graph and the modified tax data to generate an explanation asset for the added variable. A user interface controller generates a tax question corresponding to the added variable. The computing device presents the tax question and the explanation asset to a user.

Abstract: A computing platform identifies one or more characteristics of a user accessing application software or a software service via a user interface and a field to be filled or completed in the user interface of the application software or a software service. The computing platform further determines and presents, at one or more automatic fill or completion modules that are stored at least partially in memory and function in tandem with one or more computer processors in the computing platform, a list of one or more completion candidates in the user interface of the application software or a software service at least by performing one or more incremental searches based in part or in whole upon the one or more characteristics. The field is then populated with a completion candidate from the list of one or more completion candidates.

Abstract: Check fraud protection method in which customer is automatically enrolled in check fraud protection service without separately subscribing to the service. In the event of fraudulent activity, customer requests compensation from financial institution and retains the exclusive right of recovery from financial institution. If customer is not fully compensated by financial institution, the difference is paid to customer by service provider or an insurer thereof, and new checks for a new checking account are provided to customer free of charge. A custody indicator may also be used to determine chain of custody data that can be used to track the source of fraudulent activity if the fraud was perpetrated by someone involved in the check printing or delivery process, and for this purpose, a check order or individual checks may have respective indicators such as sequential serial numbers.

Abstract: The method for conducting a purchase involves obtaining a target item specification for purchasing a target item, wherein the target item specification comprises a target item description, a target purchase date, and a target price, obtaining, using a central processing unit (CPU), candidate item information related to a candidate item found on a merchant site consistent with the target item specification, wherein the candidate item information comprises a candidate item description and a candidate item price, populating a categorized entry in a user budget using the candidate item price and the target purchase date, wherein the candidate item price is no more than the target price, updating, using the CPU, the budget based on user transactions, generating a result by analyzing, using the CPU, the user budget with respect to the categorized entry, and submitting the result to a user for formulating a decision regarding whether to purchase the candidate item.

Abstract: Check fraud protection method in which customer is automatically enrolled in check fraud protection service without separately subscribing to the service. In the event of fraudulent activity, customer requests compensation from financial institution and retains the exclusive right of recovery from financial institution. If customer is not fully compensated by financial institution, the difference is paid to customer by service provider or an insurer thereof, and new checks for a new checking account are provided to customer free of charge. A custody indicator may also be used to determine chain of custody data that can be used to track the source of fraudulent activity if the fraud was perpetrated by someone involved in the check printing or delivery process, and for this purpose, a check order or individual checks may have respective indicators such as sequential serial numbers.

Abstract: Check fraud protection method in which a customer is automatically enrolled in a check fraud protection service without separately subscribing to the service. In the event of fraudulent activity, the customer requests reimbursement from the financial institution and retains the exclusive right of recovery from a financial institution. The check fraud service provider serves as an advisor to the customer who retains exclusive right of recovery at all times. If customer is not fully compensated by the financial institution, the difference is paid to the customer by the check fraud protection service provider or insurer thereof, and new checks for a new checking account are provided to the customer free of charge.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that facilitates exchanging assets between online virtual worlds. During operation, the system receives a first asset from a representative of a first player who controls the first asset in a first virtual world, and receives a second asset from a representative of a second player who controls the second asset in the second virtual world. Next, the system provides the first asset to a representative of the second player in the first virtual world, and provides the second asset to a representative of the first player in the second virtual world.