Distributed tax-return-preparation processing

Abstract

A method and system includes providing to a tax-data provider a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by an electronic device, generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the electronic device and operable to enable the tax-data provider to enter a tax-data set. The electronic system receives, but does not store, the tax-data set. A mathematical operation is performed using the received tax data, yielding a value. The electronic system provides the value to the electronic device.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing, to a tax-data provider, a user-interface module that, when executed by an electronic device, generates a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the electronic device and operable to enable the tax-data provider to enter a tax-data set;   receiving, with an electronic system, the tax-data set;   performing, with the electronic system, a mathematical operation using a portion of the received tax-data set, wherein the operation yields a value of a tax-refund amount, and wherein the tax-data set is transiently stored in the electronic system only until the operation is performed; and   transmitting, with the electronic system, the value to the electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the user-interface module comprises transferring the user-interface module through a communications medium. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing, with the electronic system, one or more web pages to the electronic device, the one or more web pages displayable in the user interface, the one or more web pages including a field into which the tax-data provider can input the tax-data set. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising preparing a tax return using the value. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising causing the tax return to be electronically filed. 
     
     
         6 . A system, comprising:
 a user-interface module executed by a client device, the user-interface module operable to generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the client device, the user interface operable to enable a tax-data provider to enter a tax-data set; and   an electronic system operable to receive the tax-data set from the client device, the electronic system further operable to perform a mathematical operation using a portion of the received tax-data set, wherein the operation yields a value of a tax-refund amount, and wherein, the tax-data set is transiently stored in the electronic system only until the operation is performed.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user-interface module is further operable to perform the operation. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the user-interface module is further operable to enable the provider to select one of the user-interface module and the electronic system to perform the operation. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the user-interface module is further operable to cause a tax return to be prepared. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the user-interface module is further operable to cause the tax return to be electronically filed. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user-interface module is further operable to cause the tax-data set to be stored by the client device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the electronic system is further operable to transmit the value to the client device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the user-interface module is further operable to cause the value to be stored by the client device. 
     
     
         14 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon for distributed tax-return-preparation processing, wherein the program instructs a processor to perform the following steps:
 provide, to a processor associated with a user, a user-interface module that, when executed by an electronic device associated with the processor, generates a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the electronic device and operable to enable the user to enter a tax-data set;   receive, via a processor associated with a tax-preparation system, the tax-data set;   perform, via the processor associated with the tax-preparation system, a mathematical operation using a portion of the received tax-data set, wherein the operation yields a value of a tax-refund amount, and wherein the tax-data set is transiently stored in the tax-preparation system only until the operation is performed; and   transmit, via the processor associated with the tax-preparation system, the value to the electronic device associated with the user.   
     
     
         15 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein providing the user-interface module comprises transferring the user-interface module to the user's display device through a communications medium. 
     
     
         16 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 14 , further comprising providing, with the tax-preparation system, one or more web pages to the electronic device, the one or more web pages displayable in the user interface, the one or more web pages including a field into which the user can input the tax-data set. 
     
     
         17 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 1 , further comprising preparing a tax return using the value. 
     
     
         18 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 17 , further comprising causing the tax return to be electronically filed.