Methods and systems for managing tax audit information

A method for managing tax audit (TA) information for a business entity using a server system coupled to a centralized database, at least one managerial user system, and at least one client system, said method comprising:

• receiving at the server system TA information through the client system, the TA information including at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction;
• 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;
• providing TA information in response to an inquiry;
• notifying a user of the results of an audit of TA information;
• and
• providing an electronic report of the audit results to the managerial user system, which includes at least one of a summary of TA information reviewed, and comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information.

A method for managing tax audit (TA) information using a web-based system including a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising:

• receiving at the server system TA information from a user through the client system, the TA information including at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction;
• storing TA information received at the server system in the centralized database;
• tracking TA information including compiling data reports, exporting TA information, and linking documents to a business transaction within an audit sample;
• updating the centralized database with TA information including adding and deleting information to revise existing TA information;
• providing TA information including at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, the account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction, in response to an inquiry, including downloading requested information from the server system and displaying requested information on the client system, the inquiry including utilizing at least one pull-down lists, check boxes, and hypertext links;
• notifying a user through an electronic message of the results of an audit, including comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information;
• and
• providing a report of the audit results by transmitting an electronic report to the managerial user system, which includes a summary of the review of TA information, and an auditor's comments and findings such that managerial oversight of the TA information is facilitated and compliance with tax laws, rules, regulations, standards, and policies is assured.

A network based system for managing tax audit (TA) information, said system comprising:

• a client system comprising a browser;
• a centralized database for storing information;
• a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said database, said server system further configured to:
• receive TA information from the client system;
• store TA information in the centralized database;
• track TA information;
• update the centralized database periodically with newly received TA information to maintain TA information;
• provide TA information in response to an inquiry by a user;
• and
• notify users electronically of a review of the TA information by an auditor, including the auditor's comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information.

A network based system for managing, storing, and disseminating tax audit (TA) information, said system comprising:

• a client system comprising a browser;
• a managerial user system comprising a browser;
• a centralized database for storing information;
• a server system configured to be coupled to said client system, said managerial user system, and said database, said server system further configured to:
• receive TA information from the client system, said TA information comprising at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction;
• store TA information in the centralized database;
• track TA information;
• update the centralized database periodically with newly received TA information to maintain TA information;
• provide TA information in response to an inquiry;
• notify a user electronically of the results of an audit of TA information;
• and
• provide an electronic report of the audit results to the managerial user system, which includes a summary of the TA information reviewed, and comments and findings relating to the review of the TA information.

A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for managing tax audit (TA) information, said program comprising a code segment that receives TA information and then:

• maintains a database by adding, deleting and updating TA information;
• provides users with access to TA information;
• generates data reports based on TA information that include at least one of a reference number, a merchandise amount, a vendor name, a tax base, a voucher number, a tax rate, a business entity status, a jurisdiction/auditor status, a voucher description, an account description, business entity comments, jurisdiction comments, a document image, an account number, business information, amounts remitted to taxing jurisdiction, invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction;
• compiles data reports that include at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, and the account number;
• compiles data reports that include a selected subset of at least one of the reference number, the merchandise amount, the vendor name, the tax base, the voucher number, the tax rate, the business entity status, the jurisdiction/auditor status, the voucher description, the account description, comments, jurisdiction comments, the document image, and the account number;
• exports TA information selected by a user to a spreadsheet computer program for review;
• links at least one of invoices, exemption certificates, and other documents relating to use taxes paid to a taxing jurisdiction to a business transaction within an audit sample;
• notifies a user of a review of TA information by an auditor;
• and
• provides a report comprising a summary of the review of TA information, including the auditor's comments and findings.