Tax services chain Jackson Hewitt has introduced MyTaxManager that offers many of the features professional tax publishers have been bringing to paid preparers, although key features aren't yet operational. That includes the ability to scan and upload tax documents and status tracking for returns. And although the company didn't use the term, it is also offering what is essentially a tax organizer that enables taxpayers to submit basic information prior to conferences with their preparers.
Without using the word "portal", the company told customers that they could scan, upload and store information online at the Jackson Hewitt Tax Resource Center. The company's website shows that many planned features, including the ability to organize and store tax documents, are not yet available.
The site will offer news, including alerts about tax law changes, along with a library of tax tips. There is also the Jackson Hewitt Discount Shopping Network that offers tax payers the ability to spend their return dollars. Besides offering cash back on purchases, the network also enables Jackson Hewitt customers to spend returns via use of a prepaid debit card issued by the company's offices.
Bob Scott has provided information to the tax and accounting community since 1991, first as technology editor of Accounting Today, and from 1997 through 2009 as editor of its sister publication, Accounting Technology. He is known throughout the industry for his depth of knowledge and for his high journalistic standards. Scott has made frequent appearances as a speaker, moderator and panelist and events serving tax and accounting professionals. He has a strong background in computer journalism as an editor with two former trade publications, Computer+Software News and MIS Week and spent several years with weekly and daily newspapers in Morris County New Jersey prior to that. A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in journalism, Bob is a native of Madison, Ind