Abstract: A method for composing context images with user media captures contemplates selecting, at a first location, a context image associated with the first location to incorporate into captured images at a second location. The method further contemplates that the selected context images and user media captures specific to the first location are combined to create a composite image at the second location.

Abstract: A system, a method, and a computer program for performing an online, real-time tax consultation for preparation of a client's taxes by a tax agent, wherein the tax agent is remote from the client, and the system is implemented via an electronic, online application accessible via a communications network. Embodiments allow for a client desiring tax preparation of a tax return to initiate the tax preparation with a tax agent via an online, integrated platform; electronically upload or otherwise push the client's tax-related information and documents to the tax agent; participate in an online tax consultation so that the tax agent may investigate, learn, or otherwise obtain the tax information necessary for completing the client's tax return; and electronically approve and file the completed tax return.

Abstract: A method for composing context images with user media captures contemplates selecting, at a first location, a context image associated with the first location to incorporate into captured images at a second location. The method further contemplates that the selected context images and user media captures specific to the first location are combined to create a composite image at the second location.

Abstract: A system, a method, and a computer program for performing an online, real-time tax consultation for preparation of a client's taxes by a tax agent, wherein the tax agent is remote from the client, and the system is implemented via an electronic, online application accessible via a communications network. Embodiments allow for a client desiring tax preparation of a tax return to initiate the tax preparation with a tax agent via an online, integrated platform; electronically upload or otherwise push the client's tax-related information and documents to the tax agent; participate in an online tax consultation so that the tax agent may investigate, learn, or otherwise obtain the tax information necessary for completing the client's tax return; and electronically approve and file the completed tax return.

Abstract: A system, a method, and a computer program for performing an online, real-time tax consultation for preparation of a client's taxes by a tax agent, wherein the tax agent is remote from the client, and the system is implemented via an electronic, online application accessible via a communications network. Embodiments allow for a client desiring tax preparation of a tax return to initiate the tax preparation with a tax agent via an online, integrated platform; electronically upload or otherwise push the client's tax-related information and documents to the tax agent; participate in an online tax consultation so that the tax agent may investigate, learn, or otherwise obtain the tax information necessary for completing the client's tax return; and electronically approve and file the completed tax return.

Abstract: Visual communication feedback may be provided to a participant of a communication. In various embodiments, systems and/or techniques may analyze a communication involving participants and provide the visual communication feedback for one of more of the participants during or after the conversation. The visual feedback may enable a participant to improve communication or otherwise provide more effective communication during a conversation and/or in subsequent conversations. The conversation may be a voice call conversation and/or a text-based conversation. The visual communication feedback may be provided in real-time, near real-time (i.e., during the communication), or after the communication, possibly as a summary or training tool.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically determining and comparing the commute-time between each of a plurality of physical locations comprises at least one communication device and a commute-time management system. The commute-time management system comprises a location determination and conversion module, a commute-time calculation module, a commute-time comparison module and a display module located at the processor. The location determination and conversion module configured to determine the location based on each of the plurality of physical locations provided by the user through the at least one communication device via a network. The commute-time calculation module configured to determine the commute-time and the commute-time comparison module configured to compare the commute-time of the first physical location with respect to each of the plurality of second physical locations. The display module configured to display the commute-time on the at least one communication device.

Abstract: An automated system and method for acquiring tax data and importing it into tax preparation software. Tax documents are acquired electronically in a tax data acquisition process by scanning, faxing, or emailing them. Once a tax document is in electronic form, an optical character recognition (OCR) software process obtains tax data from the electronic tax document. Each piece of tax data that is obtained from the OCR software process is then imported into tax preparation software. Once the tax data has been imported into tax preparation software, the software may be used to complete a tax return. An important step in the tax return preparation process is automated so the need for tax professionals to spend time entering tax data into tax preparation software is reduced and data entry errors are reduced. Tax professionals may devote more time to preparing tax returns and less time to data entry.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for identifying tax documents to customize tax return preparation. Tax preparation software allows users to identify the tax documents relevant to a taxpayer's situation so that an appropriate tax return can be prepared. The software displays graphical representations of tax documents and allows the user to select the tax documents applicable to the taxpayer's situation by dragging and dropping them on a designated area on the computer display. Once the user has selected the appropriate tax documents, the software prompts the user for responses to data prompts that are appropriate for the taxpayer's situation according to the selected tax documents. The data prompts that are presented relate to the tax documents identified by the user and therefore, are relevant to the taxpayer's specific situation. Prompts for tax data that are not appropriate for the taxpayer's situation are not asked.

Abstract: An automated system and method for acquiring tax data and importing it into tax preparation software. Tax documents are acquired electronically in a tax data acquisition process by scanning, faxing, or emailing them. Once a tax document is in electronic form, an optical character recognition (OCR) software process obtains tax data from the electronic tax document. Each piece of tax data that is obtained from the OCR software process is then imported into tax preparation software. Once the tax data has been imported into tax preparation software, the software may be used to complete a tax return. An important step in the tax return preparation process is automated so the need for tax professionals to spend time entering tax data into tax preparation software is reduced and data entry errors are reduced. Tax professionals may devote more time to preparing tax returns and less time to data entry.

Abstract: A method includes providing to a user a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the user's electronic device, presenting to the user via the user interface a plurality of solicitations for a set of personal information describing characteristics of the user, receiving via the user interface the personal information set, and, based on the personal information set, generating to the user interface a checklist of tax return preparation information to be compiled by the user.

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: A system, a method, and a computer program for performing an online, real-time tax consultation for preparation of a client's taxes by a tax agent, wherein the tax agent is remote from the client, and the system is implemented via an electronic, online application accessible via a communications network. Embodiments allow for a client desiring tax preparation of a tax return to initiate the tax preparation with a tax agent via an online, integrated platform; electronically upload or otherwise push the client's tax-related information and documents to the tax agent; participate in an online tax consultation so that the tax agent may investigate, learn, or otherwise obtain the tax information necessary for completing the client's tax return; and electronically approve and file the completed tax return.

Abstract: A method includes providing to a user a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the user's electronic device, presenting to the user via the user interface a plurality of solicitations for a set of personal information describing characteristics of the user, receiving via the user interface the personal information set, and, based on the personal information set, generating to the user interface a checklist of tax return preparation information to be compiled by the user.

Abstract: A method includes providing to a user a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the user's electronic device, presenting to the user via the user interface a plurality of solicitations for a set of personal information describing characteristics of the user, receiving via the user interface the personal information set, and, based on the personal information set, generating to the user interface a checklist of tax return preparation information to be compiled by the user.

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: A method includes providing to a user a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the user's electronic device, presenting to the user via the user interface a plurality of solicitations for a set of personal information describing characteristics of the user, receiving via the user interface the personal information set, and, based on the personal information set, generating to the user interface a checklist of tax return preparation information to be compiled by the user.