Tax Return System Dynamic Question Sequencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional tax return preparation systems are inflexible and generic, leading to irrelevant and confusing user experiences, causing frustration and loss of potential customers due to their inability to adapt to individual taxpayer needs, resulting in wasted time and resources.

Innovation Solution

Applying analytics models, such as predictive models, to identify users who benefit from itemized deductions, allowing the system to skip or deprioritize irrelevant questions, thereby reducing the time spent on tax return preparation and improving user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional tax return preparation systems use a fixed, predetermined sequence of questions for all users, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but the user experience becomes irrelevant and confusing, leading to customer frustration and abandonment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic question sequencing that adapts to each user's characteristics and needs. The system transitions from static, predetermined question sequences to dynamic sequences that are generated in real-time based on user profiling, machine learning predictions, and interaction patterns. This allows the system to present relevant questions in an optimal order for each user, improving ease of operation while managing complexity through automated adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including question selection, question ordering, presentation format, and timing based on user characteristics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on user profiling and machine learning insights, the system tailors the interview experience to each user without requiring manual configuration, thus improving user experience while keeping the underlying system manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If the system presents all itemized deduction questions to every user, then comprehensive tax coverage is ensured, but users who would benefit from standardized deductions waste time answering irrelevant questions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime for tax preparationVSAvoidtax coverage accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary user profiling and machine learning-based prediction before the actual tax interview to identify users who are likely to benefit from standardized deductions. By pre-analyzing user characteristics, income data, and tax patterns, the system can proactively determine which users should be directed toward standardized deductions, allowing them to skip irrelevant itemized deduction questions and save time while maintaining accurate tax coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements intelligent skipping of irrelevant questions for users who are predicted to benefit from standardized deductions. Rather than forcing all users through complete itemized deduction questionnaires, the system identifies and skips irrelevant sections for appropriate users, significantly reducing their preparation time while maintaining tax accuracy through subsequent verification and review processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional systems use hard-coded, static analysis features, then the system is stable and easy to maintain, but it cannot adapt to changing user needs or evolving tax situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility to user needsVSAvoidsystem modifiability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where user interactions, outcomes, and evolving tax situations are fed back into machine learning models that refine user profiles and prediction accuracy over time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing user needs and evolving tax laws dynamically, improving adaptability while managing complexity through automated learning and adjustment rather than manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs machine learning models that automatically adapt and improve without manual intervention. The models self-adjust based on accumulated data, user feedback, and changing patterns, enabling the system to evolve its user profiling and question sequencing capabilities autonomously. This self-service adaptation reduces the burden of manual system modification while enhancing flexibility to user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If the system uses generic user models for all taxpayers, then development and deployment are straightforward, but the system fails to meet specific individual taxpayer needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalization capabilityVSAvoidinterview duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments users into distinct profiles based on characteristics, needs, and tax situations using machine learning analysis. Rather than treating all users generically, the system creates and maintains multiple user segments with tailored question sequences and presentation strategies. This segmentation enables personalization that meets specific individual needs while managing complexity through automated clustering and profiling algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different question sequences, presentation formats, and levels of detail to different user segments based on their specific characteristics and needs. Each user receives a customized experience tailored to their situation rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. This local quality customization improves personalization capability while the automated segmentation and profiling manage the complexity of maintaining multiple customized paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10204382B2Method and system for identifying users who benefit from filing itemized deductions to reduce an average time consumed for users preparing tax returns with a tax return preparation system
Publication Date: 2019.02.12 INTUIT INC
  • US10204382B2 patent drawing
  • US10204382B2 patent drawing
  • US10204382B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and system identifies users who benefit from filing itemized deductions over standardized deductions to reduce an average time consumed for users preparing tax returns with a tax return preparation system, according to one embodiment. The method and system receives user data that is associated with a user, and applies the user data to a predictive model to cause the predictive model to determine a likelihood that the user will decrease his/her taxable income by filing an itemized deduction, according to one embodiment. The method and system deemphasizes and/or postpones the presentation of tax return questions that are related to the itemized deduction, if the likelihood that the user will decrease his/her taxable income by filing the itemized deduction is below a threshold, to reduce a quantity of time consumed by the user to prepare his/her tax return with a tax return preparation system, according to one embodiment.