Tax-return preparation systems and methods
In an embodiment of the invention, a tax preparation method is implementable in an electronic system coupled to an electronic device, which is, in turn, coupled to a display device. A web page displayable on the display device is served to the electronic device. The displayed web page includes a user interface, which, in turn, includes a tab bar, with a plurality of tabs. In each tab at least one accordion is present. In each of the accordions there preferably exists at least one text box for explaining or receiving tax information, having a title, an input box and a flyout, the flyout providing tax assistance information to a the user. Once a desired amount of the text boxes have been completed and a completed tax document has been developed, a tax return may be filed with a government agency.
1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to perform steps comprising:
generating a graphical user interface (GUI) for a tax preparation program;
enabling within the GUI, at least a first and a second user-selectable tab, with the first tab related to a first tax topic and containing a first set of accordions associated with the first tax topic, and the second tab related to a second tax topic and containing a second set of accordions associated with the second tax topic, wherein each accordion of the first and second sets of accordions may be expanded to enable a taxpayer user to enter in a plurality of fields tax-related information for completing a tax return;
receiving, from the taxpayer user, a selection of the first user-selectable tab;
in response to the receiving a selection of the first user-selectable tab, presenting via the GUI first and second accordions associated with the first user-selectable tab, wherein the first accordion presents a first tax sub-topic for selection by the taxpayer user, and the second accordion presents a second tax sub-topic for selection by the taxpayer user, wherein each of the first and second tax sub-topics is logically associated with the first tax topic related to the selected first user-selectable tab, and wherein the second user-selectable tab remains viewable by the taxpayer user on the GUI during the presenting of said first and second accordions;
receiving a selection by the taxpayer user of the first accordion presenting the first tax sub-topic;
presenting, via the GUI and in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the first accordion, at least one first field for entry of tax-related information by the taxpayer user, wherein during presenting of the at least one first field, the second tax sub-topic presented by the second accordion remains viewable by the taxpayer on the GUI;
receiving, from the taxpayer user, entry of a first portion of the tax-related information in the at least one first field presented in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the first accordion;
receiving a selection by the taxpayer user of the second accordion;
presenting, via the GUI, and in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the second accordion, at least one second field for entry of tax-related information by the taxpayer user, wherein during presenting of the at least one second field, the first tax sub-topic presented by the first accordion remains viewable by the taxpayer user on the GUI;
receiving, from the taxpayer user, entry of a second portion of the tax-related information in the at least one second field presented in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the second accordion;
presenting, via the GUI, a first accordion summary information that summarizes the first portion of the tax-related information entered in the at least one first field, and a second accordion summary information that summarizes the second portion of the tax-related information entered in the at least one second field; and
presenting, via the GUI, a first tab summary information that summarizes the first accordion summary information and the second accordion summary information, wherein the first tab summary information is on or proximate to the first tab, and wherein the first tab summary information, the first accordion summary information, and the second accordion summary information are simultaneously viewable during the selection of the first tab.
2. The medium of claim 1 ,
wherein the first accordion summary information is on or proximate to the first accordion, such that the taxpayer user may visually associate the first accordion with the first accordion summary information, and
wherein the second accordion summary information is on or proximate to the second accordion, such that the taxpayer user may visually associate the second accordion with the second accordion summary information.
3. The medium of claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions further enable the computer to perform the step of presenting, in response to an input to the GUI and by the taxpayer user, taxpayer assistance information on the GUI and viewable by the taxpayer user, wherein the taxpayer assistance information is logically associated with the first accordion and is viewable contemporaneously with the first accordion.
4. The medium of claim 3 , wherein the taxpayer assistance information is presented on the GUI in a flyout box positioned proximate the first accordion.
5. The medium of claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions further enable the computer to perform the steps of:
presenting, in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the first accordion, at least one third field for entry of tax-related information by the taxpayer user;
receiving, from the taxpayer user, entry of a third portion of the tax-related information in the at least one third field presented in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the first accordion,
wherein the at least one first and third fields are the only fields associated with the first accordion; and
presenting, in response to entry of the third portion of the tax-related information in the at least one third field, a visual indicator that all fields have been completed for the first accordion.
6. The medium of claim 1 , wherein the first and second accordions extend longitudinally down the GUI.
7. The medium of claim 1 , wherein the first field extends laterally from the first accordion.
8. A computer-implemented method for presenting a tax preparation program, the method comprising the steps of:
generating, via a computer processor, a graphical user interface (GUI) for a tax preparation program;
enabling, via the computer processor and within the GUI, at least a first and a second user-selectable tab, with the first tab related to a first tax topic and containing a first set of accordions associated with the first tax topic, and the second tab related to a second tax topic and containing a second set of accordions associated with the second tax topic, wherein each accordion of the first and second sets of accordions may be expanded to enable a taxpayer user to enter in a plurality of fields tax-related information for completing a tax return;
receiving, via the computer processor and from the taxpayer user, a selection of the first user-selectable tab;
in response to the receiving a selection of the first user-selectable tab, presenting, via the computer processor and within the GUI, first and second accordions associated with the first user-selectable tab, wherein the first accordion presents a first tax sub-topic for selection by the taxpayer user, and the second accordion presents a second tax sub-topic for selection by the taxpayer user, wherein each of the first and second tax sub-topics is logically associated with the first tax topic related to the selected first user-selectable tab, and wherein the second user-selectable tab remains viewable by the taxpayer user on the GUI during the presenting of said first and second accordions;
receiving, via the computer processor, a selection by the taxpayer user of the first accordion presenting the first tax sub-topic;
presenting, via the computer processor and within the GUI, and in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the first accordion, at least one first field for entry of tax-related information by the taxpayer user, wherein during presenting of the at lest one first field, the second tax sub-topic presented by the second accordion remains viewable by the taxpayer on the GUI;
receiving, via the computer processor and from the taxpayer user, entry of a first portion of the tax-related information in the at least one first field presented in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the first accordion;
receiving, via the computer processor, a selection by the taxpayer user of the second accordion;
presenting, via the computer processor and within the GUI, and in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the second accordion, at least one second field for entry of tax-related information by the taxpayer user, wherein during presenting of the at least one second field, the first tax sub-topic presented by the first accordion remains viewable by the taxpayer user on the GUI;
receiving, via the computer processor and from the taxpayer user, entry of a second portion of the tax-related information in the at least one second field presented in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the second accordion;
presenting, via the computer processor and within the GUI, a first accordion summary information that summarizes the first portion of the tax-related information entered in the at least one first field, and a second accordion summary information that summarizes the second portion of the tax-related information entered in the at least one second field; and
presenting, via the computer processor and within the GUI, a first tab summary information that summarizes the first accordion summary information and the second accordion summary information, wherein the first tab summary information is on or proximate to the first tab, and wherein the first tab summary information, the first accordion summary information, and the second accordion summary information are simultaneously viewable during the selection of the first tab.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 ,
wherein the first accordion summary information is on or proximate to the first accordion, such that the taxpayer user may visually associate the first accordion with the first accordion summary information, and
wherein the second accordion summary information is on or proximate to the second accordion, such that the taxpayer user may visually associate the second accordion with the second accordion summary information.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of presenting, via the computer processor and in response to an input to the GUI and by the taxpayer user, taxpayer assistance information on the GUI and viewable by the taxpayer user, wherein the taxpayer assistance information is logically associated with the first accordion and is viewable contemporaneously with the first accordion.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the taxpayer assistance information is presented on the GUI in a flyout box positioned proximate the first accordion.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , further comprising the steps of:
presenting, in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the first accordion, at least one third field for entry of tax-related information by the taxpayer user;
receiving, from the taxpayer user, entry of a third portion of the tax-related information in the at least one third field presented in response to the taxpayer user's selection of the first accordion,
wherein the at least one first and third fields are the only fields associated with the first accordion; and
presenting, in response to entry of the third portion of the tax-related information in the at least one third field, a visual indicator that all fields have been completed for the first accordion.
13. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the first and second accordions extend longitudinally down the GUI.
14. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the first field extends laterally from the first accordion.