Method and system for organizing tax information and providing tax advice

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.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing to a user a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, generates a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the user's electronic device;   presenting to the user via the user interface at least one question requesting tax-related information regarding the user;   receiving via the user interface an answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information;   based on the received answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information, generating for presentation at the user interface a checklist of documents to be gathered by the user for preparation of the user's tax return;   presenting to the user via the user interface explanatory information regarding at least one of the documents in the checklist of documents, wherein the explanatory information regarding the document advises the user of potential issues related to the document;   receiving an indication via the user interface that the user desires more information regarding the request for tax-related information;   presenting to the user additional information regarding the request for tax-related information, wherein the additional information is presented to the user in the same user interface as the request for tax-related information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the document with the potential issue is a W2, and the potential issue is that the user is unable to electronically file their tax return or qualify for refund anticipation loans if the W2 is handwritten. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the checklist is generated incrementally to the user interface as the user responds to the request for tax-related information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional information regarding the request for tax-related information is presented to the user via the user interface upon the user hovering or clicking with a pointer, controlled by a pointing device, over the request for tax-related information presented on the user interface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein presenting the request for tax-related information includes presenting questions regarding tax filing status, income, and deductions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing the received answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information in a tax-return preparation program. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising transferring the stored answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information to the tax-return preparation program. 
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, enable the user's electronic device to perform steps comprising:
 generating a user interface displayable on a display associated with the user's electronic device;   presenting to the user via the user interface at least one question requesting tax-related information regarding the user;   receiving via the user interface an answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information;   based on the received answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information, generating for presentation at the user interface a checklist of documents to be gathered by the user for preparation of the user's tax return;   presenting to the user via the user interface explanatory information regarding at least one of the documents in the checklist of documents, wherein the explanatory information regarding the document advises the user of potential issues related to the document;   receiving an indication via the user interface that the user desires more information regarding the request for tax-related information;   presenting to the user additional information regarding the request for tax-related information, wherein the additional information is presented to the user in the same user interface as the request for tax-related information.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the document with the potential issue is a W2, and the potential issue is that the user is unable to electronically file their tax return or qualify for refund anticipation loans if the W2 is handwritten. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the checklist is generated incrementally to the user interface as the user responds to the request for tax-related information. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the additional information regarding the request for tax-related information is presented to the user via the user interface upon the user hovering or clicking with a pointer, controlled by a pointing device, over the request for tax-related information presented on the user interface. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein presenting the request for tax-related information includes presenting questions regarding tax filing status, income, and deductions. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further enable the user's device to store the received answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information in a tax-return preparation program. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further enable the user's device to transfer the stored answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information to the tax-return preparation program. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 (a) a memory device; and   (b) a first electronic device coupled to the memory device and configured to perform the following steps:   generate a user interface displayable on a display associated with the first electronic device;   present to the user via the user interface at least one question requesting tax-related information regarding the user;   receive via the user interface an answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information;   based on the received answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information, generate for presentation at the user interface a checklist of documents to be gathered by the user for preparation of the user's tax return;   present to the user via the user interface explanatory information regarding at least one of the documents in the checklist of documents, wherein the explanatory information regarding the document advises the user of potential issues related to the document;   receive an indication via the user interface that the user desires more information regarding the request for tax-related information;   present to the user additional information regarding the request for tax-related information, wherein the additional information is presented to the user in the same user interface as the request for tax-related information.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the document with the potential issue is a W2, and the potential issue is that the user is unable to electronically file their tax return or qualify for refund anticipation loans if the W2 is handwritten. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the checklist is generated incrementally to the user interface as the user responds to the request for tax-related information. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the system further includes a pointing device and further wherein the additional information regarding the request for tax-related information is presented to the user via the user interface upon the user hovering or clicking with a pointer, controlled by the pointing device, over the request for tax-related information presented on the user interface. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein presenting the request for tax-related information includes presenting questions regarding tax filing status, income, and deductions. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first electronic device is further enabled to (a) store the received answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information in a tax-return preparation program, and (b) transfer the stored answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information to the tax-return preparation program.