Abstract: A point of sale (POS) device may be configured to locate a payment system and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to a payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. The invention also includes inserting third party account information into an encrypted portion of the payment request, so the payment request appears as a normal request to the issuing bank, but the third party account information may be used by the third party to bill the customer. The payment system directory is further configured to determine one or more payment processors to direct a payment authorization request, such that a single transaction may me allocated among multiple payment processors for authorization. Moreover, the payment system directory is able to format alternative payment methods into a format that is able to be processed over existing payment networks.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) device may be configured to locate a payment system and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to a payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. The invention also includes inserting third party account information into an encrypted portion of the payment request, so the payment request appears as a normal request to the issuing bank, but the third party account information may be used by the third party to bill the customer. The payment system directory is further configured to determine one or more payment processors to direct a payment authorization request, such that a single transaction may me allocated among multiple payment processors for authorization. Moreover, the payment system directory is able to format alternative payment methods into a format that is able to be processed over existing payment networks.

Abstract: A fiscal data recorder for storing transaction related data in a point of sale system is provided with a processing unit receiving the transaction related data. Memory in communication with the processing unit is operable to store the transaction related data. A protection circuit acting between the processing unit and the memory inhibits the electronic tampering with the transaction data stored in the memory.

Abstract: A cooperative e-business complex. The cooperative e-business complex can include one or more electronically accessible e-business complex management services configured to handle e-business processing in the e-business complex on behalf of electronically associated virtual store operators, vendors, business partners and professional services providers. A virtual management office can be included which is configured to coordinate e-business transactions between the associated virtual store operators, the on-line shoppers, the vendors, the business partners, and the professional services providers in the e-business complex. Finally, one or more e-business complex management services requesters can be configured to remotely invoke selected ones of the electronically accessible e-business complex management services.

Abstract: An effective and efficient system for recovering tax revenue. One implementation is to recover tax revenue currently not being recovered by storing data in a database (2) indicating interstate sales transactions (7) on which a seller does not collect a designated tax, such as a sales tax. This database (2) is part of a computer network (1) that organizes and stores the data in the database (2) and automatically sends out tax due notices (S3) to purchasers (5) when data in the database (2) indicates that an interstate sale has taken place and no designated tax has been collected from the purchaser (5) by the seller. This database (2) can also be updated to reflect payment of the tax indicated in the tax due notice (S3), and can automatically remit appropriate revenues to a revenue agency (4) when the tax due notice has been paid (S4).

Abstract: Tax collection tools and techniques automatically and electronically separate tax amounts from other funds in a commercial transaction, and divert the collected tax into a holding fund. The holding fund bears income, at little or no risk. Funds collected are tracked, as are their payment due dates, and tax payments are made automatically from the holding fund to tax authorities in a timely manner on behalf of merchants. Income from the holding fund may be distributed among various parties. Collection of debt, whether taxes or otherwise, through automatic incremental billing is also described.

Abstract: A method for managing the submission of a plurality of engagements using a plurality of logins is disclosed. The method might include the steps of providing a plurality of logins corresponding to a single entity, wherein each of the plurality of logins includes a user name, a password and a location code, providing information relating to the plurality of engagements, receiving an identification code and a location code corresponding to the single entity and an engagement code corresponding to one of the plurality of engagements, and searching the plurality of logins for an available login. If an available login does not exist, then create an available login or return to the searching step. If an available login exists, then assign the available login to one of the plurality of engagements, and make the available login, unavailable.

Abstract: A calculator is provided that includes an input pad that includes a sales tax button and a currency pad, which includes a change due button and a number of currency keys. The currency keys can be depressed in order to enter numeric values associated with currency. The change due button may be used in order to produce a resultant between data provided in the input pad and the currency pad.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are used to permanently disable or destruct an RFID so that it is no longer possible to read some or all of the data encoded on the RFID tag. In one method for disabling data on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an RFID tag is identified and its identity is confirmed. Verification that a prerequisite event has occurred is obtained, occurrence of which is required prior to disablement of the data. A destruct instruction is transmitted to the RFID tag. The RFID tag verifies that the destruct instruction is valid and disables the data upon verifying validity of the destruct instruction. The tag may disable the data by erasing the data, disabling the data, auto-destructing, or performing any operation that makes the data unreadable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a universal financial product and enables to use it for managing money resources, e.g., sums being on a personal account. The housing of the pay card may be made of a precious or rare metal, bone, finewood; the elements of the features of a pay system and an issuing bank as well as those of protection and personalization are also made of the said materials, including precious stones, by engraving and inlaying. A place is provided for a standard electronic chip, which may be replaced. Periods of use of the pay card and the reliability of its level of protection against imitating and counterfeiting are increased.

Abstract: An apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax or duty has been paid for the contents of that container. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is placed on the container which includes information indicative of whether the tax has been paid. The RFID tag includes a substrate, a radio frequency transceiver circuit mounted upon the substrate and connected to an antenna having a fixed length that is also mounted upon the substrate, and, preferably, a protrusion affixed to or a slot in the substrate. Preferably, the RFID tag is placed within the container's cap, such that, when mounted on the container, the cap mates with a ratchet wheel connected to the container that engages the protrusion or slot such that removing the cap from the container will cause the substrate to fracture and thereby cause the RFID tag to become permanently disabled.

Abstract: A system for paying and filing employment tax operates by updating a set of electronic templates such that the electronic templates are compatible with current formats of associated governmental agencies, receiving financial information associated with a user, selecting an electronic template from the set of electronic templates, and merging the financial information with the electronic template to produce a document. This financial information includes employment-tax information that has a format that is compatible with payroll-accounting software, and the electronic template is compatible with a submission format of a governmental agency. Next, the system submits the document to the governmental agency.

Abstract: A method that allows taxing jurisdictions to collect sales and/or use taxes from sales that are made via the internet and catalogs. The method also makes it easier for sellers to comply with the taxing jurisdiction's mandated seller administrative functions. The foregoing is accomplished by using an agent to perform the sales tax administration functions of a seller, relieving the seller of as much of the burden of compliance as possible.

Abstract: A transactional tax settlement system for use with a personal communication device is provided. The system has particular usefulness in determining a taxing authority and calculating a tax rate imposed by the taxing authority in a communication network environment. The system may be used to determine a tax authority and corresponding tax rate for a buyer/seller transaction over a network, e.g., the Internet. The system may also be used to determine a tax authority and corresponding tax rate in a mobile telecommunications network, e.g., a cellular phone. The system includes a tax information system for determining the taxing authorities and corresponding tax rates by evaluating factors pertaining to the transaction such as, location, tax status, and transaction description. In addition, the tax information system may validate a payment modality, collect taxes, and account for the transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for forecasting tax effects of financial transactions is provided. The system and method include a series of web pages. The web pages allow a user to 1) determine their federal and state tax rates, 2) describe the asset they wish to sell. Additional web pages then display the tax consequences of the sale of the asset along with the details of the calculations used to evaluate those consequences. Still more web pages can be used to describe an asset to buy. In this case, the displayed consequences are expanded to compare the benefit of holding the current asset against the benefit of acquiring the new asset.

Abstract: A method for managing tax audit (TA) information for a business entity using a server system is provided. The server system is coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system. The method includes receiving at the server system TA information from the client system, storing TA information received at the server system in the centralized database, tracking TA information stored in the centralized database, updating the centralized database periodically with newly received TA information to maintain TA information, and providing TA information in response to an inquiry.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a more secure financial transaction system for e-commerce sectors that (1) more securely processes payment transactions, (2) helps to protect merchants and banks against fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and underage gambling, and (3) helps to limit other abuses in areas of e-commerce that are perceived to pose special risks, such as Internet gaming, travel, and consumer purchasing of electronic goods. To accomplish the above goals, various embodiments of the financial transaction system (1) establish operating and transaction processing protocols for merchants, Internet payment service providers, acquiring banks, and card schemes and (2) provide automated systems for monitoring and securely processing payment and financial transactions.

Abstract: A service managing system comprises: order terminals for enabling customers to view contents of service items and to order desired items, and being portable and driven by a battery; order-receiving terminals for receiving and indicating orders from the order terminals; an accounting unit for casting accounts in response to a customer's request and indicating a calculated result; and a control unit for processing data between the order terminals, order-receiving terminals and an accounting unit. In the system, data are transmitted and received using radio communications between the order terminals, order-receiving terminals, accounting unit and control unit. When an ordered item or service is ready, it is indicated on the order terminal via the order receiving terminal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for affording a network-based tax service database interface. First, tax-related forms are first retrieved in a database. Next, the retrieved tax-related forms are formatted, and the formatted tax-related forms are sent to a governmental entity. Such formatting is based on rules associated with the governmental entity.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a program controlled apparatus, system and method for identifying taxable financial transactions, collecting data based on the transactions and calculating any sales and/or use taxes due on the transactions. The apparatus comprises a first database having a directory of parameters identifying all domestic government authorities by zip code, geocode, and by jurisdiction name requiring payment of taxes. A second database is provided having a directory of parameters identifying the taxability of goods and/or services for each jurisdiction identified by zip code, geocode, and jurisdiction name in the first database. Also, a third database has a directory of parameters identifying all domestic sales, use and rental tax rates for each zip code, geocode and jurisdiction name.

Abstract: A camera in which is stored a unique ID is directly or indirectly connected to a printing service site, to which log-in is performed using the ID, whereupon an image from the camera is uploaded to the printing service site, and a printing server distinguishes from the ID which camera the image was uploaded. Printing of the uploaded image can instructed via the printing service site. At the time of printing, when the printing server is calculating the printing charge, the charge is discounted if the image was obtained from a prescribed camera. Alternatively, if the image to be printed was photographed by a camera of a specific manufacturer, a cash-back is issued to the manufacturer in accordance with the number of prints.

Abstract: Preferred examples of a system and method for rapid collection and distribution of taxes are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for point-of-sale collection and distribution of sales taxes on a frequent, regular basis, such as daily or weekly, or other periodic time intervals, that can be used for face-to-face, e-commerce, telephone or other transactions. The disclosed embodiments provide a system and a method for transferring funds from numerous merchants to numerous taxing authorities in an efficient manner, with each merchant seeking to transfer funds to perhaps several taxing authorities and each taxing authority seeking to receive funds from many merchants. According to other examples of the invention, a centralized distribution feature allows the merchants and the taxing authorities to each communicate with a single entity or other in transferring the funds.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying charges on a customer bill includes a computers for downloading, from a mainframe computer, to a local server billing data associated with a customer account, populating a database with a portion of the billing data, performing pre-calculation functions on another portion of the billing data and populating the database with results of the pre-calculation functions, displaying predetermined categories of information stored in the database, calculating the taxes for each of several charges in the billing data and storing tax results in the database, and comparing the tax results with tax information on the customer bill.

Abstract: An interactive remote auction bidding system for conducting an auction utilizes a data input device for communication over a network to the auction site. The system includes a data processor located at the auction site for generating bid information for communication over the network to the remote locations. A processor located at the auction side monitors the participants' data input devices for sensing participant bids generated by the participants' data input devices. The system further displays visual bid information at the auction site for transmission over the network to the participants and generates audible bid information in support of that visual bid information.

Abstract: Upsells are made accessible to customers so customers may select upsells as they select items in their purchase. Each upsell has an associated rounding code. For example, the rounding code may be determinable from a bar code printed on an adhesive label that is affixed to the upsell. A POS terminal receives the rounding code, by scanning the label or other means. Typically, the rounding code is read in a manner similar to the manner in which items in the purchase are read by the POS terminal. The purchase price (sum of all item prices and any tax) is rounded, based on the rounding code. For example, given a purchase price of $8.26, and a rounding code that indicates a multiple of $5, the purchase price would be rounded up to the next-higher multiple of $5 ($10.00). The customer would pay the rounded price in exchange for the items and the upsell. Thus, the difference between the rounded price and the purchase price ($10.00?$8.26 =$1.74) is effectively the price the customer pays for the upsell.

Abstract: An interactive remote auction bidding system for conducting an auction utilizes a data input device for communication over a network to the auction site. The system includes a data processor located at the auction site for generating bid information for communication over the network to the remote locations. A processor located at the auction side monitors the participants' data input devices for sensing participant bids generated by the participants' data input devices. The system further displays visual bid information at the auction site for transmission over the network to the participants and generates audible bid information in support of that visual bid information.

Abstract: An apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax or duty has been paid for the contents of that container. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is placed on the container which includes information indicative of whether the tax has been paid. The RFID tag includes a substrate, a radio frequency transceiver circuit mounted upon the substrate and connected to an antenna having a fixed length that is also mounted upon the substrate, and, preferably, a protrusion affixed to or a slot in the substrate. Preferably, the RFID tag is placed within the container's cap, such that, when mounted on the container, the cap mates with a ratchet wheel connected to the container that engages the protrusion or slot such that removing the cap from the container will cause the substrate to fracture and thereby cause the RFID tag to become permanently disabled.

Abstract: Organizing and managing a transaction-related dimension of tax-related data allows for the generation of fact details to facilitate payment of taxes. First, a transaction-related dimension of tax-related data is provided along with a plurality of attributes for the transaction-related dimension. Such attributes include a transaction line item determined based on a transaction identifier, a transaction type, a tax type, a customer account identifier, a sold to location geographic code, a ship to location geographic code, a contract number, a purchase order number, a vendor account identifier, and a vendor zip code. Next, a plurality of entries are received which are associated with the attributes of the transaction-related dimension. A plurality of fact details are then generated using the entries of a predetermined set of the attributes of the transaction-related dimension. Thereafter, a set of aggregate fact details are generated based on the plurality of fact details.

Abstract: A system and method for computing and collecting taxes is disclosed. In particular, the invention properly computes and collects, e.g., sales and use taxes that is consistent legal guidelines and restrictions imposed by national governments such as the United States. Accordingly, the invention is useful for computing and collecting taxes on Internet sales.

Abstract: A payout administration method including retrieving an electronic form selected according to a location of a gaming apparatus adapted to receive a wager from a player and to provide a payout based on the wager and a game outcome, retrieving stored data about the gaming apparatus or the player, and combining the electronic form and the stored data to generate a completed electronic form. Also provided are a payout administration system and apparatus which operate according to the payout administration method.

Abstract: A point of sale credit card payment system allowing multiple payments to be made to various payees from a single credit card transaction or any other form of electronic payment. Software, firmware, or hardware located at a consumer location or offsite determines the amount of commissions, travel agency fees, auction fees, or any other fees incidental to the transaction due to a third or other party. During the time of transaction when payment is being made by a credit card or any other form of electronic payment the fees and/or payment(s) due to third party(ies) are separately identified and, based upon instructions from the software, are paid directly by the credit card company to those third parties entitled to receive payment.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for determining a plurality of clusters is disclosed. The disclosed method includes, for each of a plurality of observations, obtaining a data set containing no more than one proxy value for each of a plurality of variables, each variable having a plurality of possible values. The disclosed method also includes, assigning each of the plurality of observations to one of a plurality of clusters, and, for the plurality of observations and the plurality of variables, via cluster reassignment, maximizing a processor-determined fitness score representing a number of variables from the plurality of variables for which each observation's proxy value corresponds to a mode for that observation's assigned cluster.

Abstract: An alert notification system for customers and sales personnel in a shopping area and a method of use is disclosed. In a first aspect, a system for alerting customers and sales personnel that merchandise has been left in a shopping area is disclosed. The system comprises a merchandise detector for detecting merchandise purchased by a customer and a customer detector for detecting whether the customer has left the merchandise. The system further includes a notification system responsive to the customer and merchandise detectors for alerting the customer when the customer has left the purchased merchandise. In a second aspect, the method comprises detecting the presence of merchandise associated with a customer via a second detector and detecting whether the customer has left the merchandise via a second detector. The method further includes alerting the customer, responsive to the first and second detectors, via a notification mechanism if the customer has left the merchandise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for promoting taxpayer compliance. A computer-implemented data mining system mines taxpayer data to identify taxpayer profiles for taxpayer compliance issues. A computer-implemented decision management system assigns the identified taxpayer profiles into groups based on characteristics of the taxpayer profiles. A computer-implemented case management system implements different treatments to different groups, to improve taxpayer compliance.

Abstract: Preferred examples of a system and method for rapid collection and distribution of taxes are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for point-of-sale collection and distribution of sales taxes on a frequent, regular basis, such as daily or weekly, or other periodic time intervals, that can be used for face-to-face, e-commerce, telephone or other transactions. The disclosed embodiments provide a system and a method for transferring funds from numerous merchants to numerous taxing authorities in an efficient manner, with each merchant seeking to transfer funds to perhaps several taxing authorities and each taxing authority seeking to receive funds from many merchants. According to other examples of the invention, a centralized distribution feature allows the merchants and the taxing authorities to each communicate with a single entity or other in transferring the funds.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing VAT on marketing services provided via a network-based marketplace are disclosed. VAT is automatically assesses for users of the services having residences in different countries, at least a portion of which require VAT charges for the services. Corresponding data is stored at individual sites operated by the marketplace service. Periodically, VAT-related data are aggregated for each of the plurality of countries to generate respective tax return reports. VAT is accessed for different users based on the country of residence of the user and whether the user has a VAT-exempt status.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for placing each of a plurality of observations into one of a predefined set of clusters is disclosed. The disclosed method includes, for each of a plurality of observations, obtaining a data set containing no more than one proxy value for each of a plurality of variables, each variable having a plurality of possible values, and obtaining a set of first dummy variables having a value indicative of an observation's membership or non-membership (i.e., membership status) in a particular cluster.

Abstract: A system and method for tax reporting of taxable and non-taxable distributions, gains and losses of investments including providing access to tax information regarding the investments and providing various functions pertaining to the tax information is provided. The system and method can be used by, among others, financial institution personnel to view and adjust tax information on tax forms, such as the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 1099, 1042S and 480.6A,B,C forms. The system and method can be used to perform tax reporting for any number of kinds of tax information and investment information, including tax information associated with investments in any kind of banking or trust account such as checking, savings, lines of credit, home equity loans, mortgages, trust accounts, and certificate of deposit, creditor accounts such as credit card accounts and loans, and employment-related accounts such as employer loans and employee stock purchase plans.

Abstract: A request for a commodity that each office in an organization needs is sent from a terminal in the office to a general affairs service center in the organization. The request is then sent to a VAN center where it is entered into databases and appears in a home page of a WWW server. In the case of a request to order a commodity, a decision is made as to whether or not an estimate has been made for the commodity. If it has not been made, the order request is sent to the WWW server after a reply to the estimate request has been received from the vendor. The vendor acquires the request information that appears in a home page of the WWW server connected with a network and then makes an estimate for the commodity and delivers it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting taxpayers to audit by a tax collecting entity. An underreporting model is created, and indicates probability of an assessment being made against respective taxpayers from historical data. An analytical space is created for analyzing the taxpayers, and is based on the underreporting model. Taxpayers are positioned within the analytical space. Factors within the analytical space are analyzed, based on historical data. The analyzed factors are used to predict audit return on auditors' time when auditing taxpayers. Then, assessments against taxpayers are forecasted, based on the predicted audit return. A basis for audit selection is formulated from the forecasted assessments. In this manner, a total audit assessment amount collected by the tax collecting entity can be maximized.

Abstract: A computer system is provided which includes a geographical region component that determines one or more geographical regions associated with a product ship-to address or a seller's address. The system includes a tax district component which determines one or more appropriate tax districts associated with the one or more predetermined geographical regions. The system also includes a tax component which determines the taxes associated with the one or more predetermined tax districts.

Abstract: Preferred examples of a system and method for rapid collection and distribution of taxes are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for collection and distribution of sales taxes on a frequent, regular basis, such as daily or weekly, or other periodic time intervals, that can be used for face-to-face, e-commerce, telephone or other transactions. The disclosed embodiments provide a system and a method for transferring funds from numerous merchants to numerous taxing authorities in an efficient manner, with each merchant seeking to transfer funds to perhaps several taxing authorities and each taxing authority seeking to receive funds from many merchants. According to other examples of the invention, a centralized distribution feature allows the merchants and the taxing authorities to each communicate with a single entity or other in transferring the funds.

Abstract: A transaction tax compliance system having a transaction tax compliance processor which receives transaction information from selling/purchasing input systems and returns, stores, and reports the tax liabilities caused by the transaction event.

Abstract: A product tax stamping system comprising a product tag attached to a product, the product tag containing tax payment information, a remote reading device for accessing the tax payment information from the product tag, and a processor operatively connected to the remote reading device. The processor is controlled by software that provides a tax authentication engine. The remote reading device transfers the tax payment information to the processor for processing by the tax authentication engine.

Abstract: A system for recovering refundable taxes such as value-added taxes (VAT) uses a transaction card, such as a credit or debit or electronic cash card, to record purchases made by a traveler that are subject to VAT in a foreign country. The traveler loads the transaction card with a software application that is able to record the purchases subject to VAT. The traveler uses the card to make purchases in the foreign country, and the card calculates and accumulates the VAT subject to refund. When leaving the foreign country, the traveler inserts the card into a terminal, the software application reads the VAT subject to refund, and the traveler selects whether to receive the refunded VAT in cash in local currency or in the currency of the country in which the traveler resides (“home currency”), as cash value on the card (if a cash or debit card), as a credit on the card (if a credit card), or by check in local or home currency.

Abstract: This terminal apparatus comprises an article registration device, a settlement device, an article registration suspending unit, an article registration resuming unit, a settlement suspending unit, and a settlement resuming unit. The article registration device inputs an article code so as to register a transaction. The settlement device creates transaction information according to the article code input by the article registration device so as to subject the transaction to a settling operation according to the transaction information. The article registration suspending unit suspends the transaction being registered by the article registration device in a suspended state. The article registration resuming unit resumes the transaction suspended in the suspended state into the article registration device. The settlement suspending unit suspends the transaction being subjected to the settling operation by the settlement device in the suspended state.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning taxability codes to purchases, and processing tax invoices, by company groups. A user, identified to one of a group of companies, inputs a requisition. Tax code and tax location are identified in a front end process applicable to the object of the requisition and converted into a converted tax code and tax jurisdiction and fed to a back end processor. Responsive to converted tax code and the tax jurisdiction for the corresponding company group, the back end prepares a purchase order which is transmitted to a supplier. Responsive to an invoice from the supplier and company group and tax code indicia from the purchase order, the back end processes and selectively pays, short pays, or rejects the invoice.

Abstract: Property tax data may be mined from existing asset databases. These databases commonly do not communicate with other databases since they are developed for specialized purposes. By mining tax sensitive data from the databases, tax management software may develop information for property tax compliance or tax planning purposes. For example, information about property tax exemptions and possible exclusions may be mined from the data together with information about the assets' location which may be important to allocating assets to particular tax jurisdictions.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling the preparation of an income tax return. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of determining the tax consequences associated with charitable donations made during a specific year based upon taxing authority guidelines and importing such information into a tax return. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method for electronically retrieving tax deductible charitable donation information and importing such information into an electronic tax preparation application.

Abstract: A tax and duty determination system receives shipment specific information. This shipment specific information is compared to a database containing the rules and applicable duties and/or taxes for the shipment destined for a particular destination. Based on this comparison, the tax and duty determination system determines the applicable duties and/or taxes for each item in the shipment and for the shipment as a whole.