(12) United States Patent
`Nearhood et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,249,072 B1
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`US007249072B1
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING
`MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL PROPERTY TAX
`INFORMATION
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Richard D. Nearhood, Paradise Valley,
`AZ (US); Roger Sabin, Mesa, AZ
`(US); James A. Subach, Phoenix, AZ
`(US); J. Scot Crismon, Phoenix, AZ
`(US); J. Todd Parker, Paradise Valley,
`AZ (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Eproperty Tax, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ
`(US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/812,305
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 19, 2001
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/190,154, filed on Mar.
`17, 2000.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06F 17/22
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`......................................... .. 705/31; 705/27
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ .. 705/31,
`705/30, 27
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,414,621 A *
`
`5/1995 Hough ..................... .. 364/401
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`
`8-305741
`
`* 11/1996
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`http://WWW.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/TaxCalculat0r.htm, Pub-
`lished Feb. 20, 1999*
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner—Michael Cufi°
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fennemore Craig, P.C.;
`Richard E. Oney; Rodney J. Fuller
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A computer system for managing property tax information
`for a plurality of real estate parcels includes a data storage
`device, an output device and a processor. The processor
`maintains in the storage device a database of property tax
`data including a plurality of parcel records, each parcel
`rccord including a parcel idcntificr for cach parcel of the
`plurality of real estate parcels, a tax year identifier for
`identifying the tax year applicable to each parcel, a state
`identifier for identifying the state in which each parcel is
`located and a jurisdiction identifier for identifying a juris-
`diction within the state in which the parcel is located. The
`processor also maintains in the storage device a plurality of
`templates. Each template is associated with a tax assessing
`or billing entity, defines tax rules specific to the associated
`entity and is linked to at least one of: a state record for the
`state in which the parcel is located; a jurisdiction record for
`a jurisdiction within the state; or a system master record. The
`processor can receive an input requesting a report of infor-
`mation for a specified parcel record, retrieve a template froin
`the stored templates based on the tax year identifier, the state
`identifier and the jurisdiction identifier
`linked to the
`retrieved template, generate the requested report using the
`retrieved template and the tax rules defined by the retrieved
`template, and output the requested report to the output
`device. A corresponding method for managing property tax
`information is also provided.
`
`43 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`226
`
`/— 212
`
`214
`
`216
`
`218
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Appeal
`Decisions
`
`Template
`(based on
`Year, State,
`
`Jurisdiction.
`and
`installments
`Template
`
`M39)
`
`
`/—222
`Processes
`207
`
`Tax
`Calculations
`
`
`
`204
`
`Reports
`
`elect a type of template on first match of:
`
`
`E
`1. Year. State, Jurisdiction
`2. Year. State. Parent Jurisdiction (keep moving up Jurisdiction chain)
`3. Year, State
`5 4. Year
`
`
`
`
`Page 1 of 47
`
`CORELOGIC EXHIBIT 1017
`
`

`
`US 7,249,072 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,761,650
`5,802,501
`H1830
`6,016,479
`6,064,968
`6,272,482
`6,446,047
`
`A *
`A *
`H
`A *
`A
`B1
`B1*
`
`6/1998
`9/1998
`1/2000
`1/2000
`5/2000
`8/2001
`9/2002
`
`.............. .. 705/34
`Munsil et al.
`Graff ......................... .. 705/36
`Petrimoulx et al.
`Taricani, Jr.
`............... .. 705/19
`Schanz
`McKee et al.
`Brier et al.
`................. .. 705/35
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`http://www.taxnetusa.com/, published Nov. 17, 1999.*
`http1//www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/proptax.html, pub-
`lished Jun. 26, 1998.*
`
`Titus, Karen, “Technology and the art of locating hidden assets”,
`Sep./Oct. 1997, Commercial Law Bulletin V12n5, pp. 14-18.*
`Author unknown, web pages from http://www.taxcomp.com/demo,
`May 24, 1999.
`Author unknown, “Burr Wolff Tax Info Search” web pages from
`http://www.burrwolf.com/taxinfo, Apr. 28, 1999.
`Author unknown, screen captures for Burr Wolff “PTS Corporate”,
`undated,
`
`Author unknown, screen captures for “Quantum for Property Tax”,
`Sep. 21, 1998.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 2 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`/100
`
`113
`
`DISK DRIVE
`
`112
`
`A‘i,D
`
`PRINTER
`
`115
`
`1/0
`ADAPTER
`
`118
`
`114
`
`102
`
`104
`
`106
`
`CPU
`
`136
`
`108
`
`116
`
`CA
`
`INTERFACE
`ADAPTER
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`ADAPTER
`
`128
`
`124
`
`126
`
`MIC
`
`'
`MOUSE
`
`122
`
`SPEAKER mama
`
`1§:-I1 120 __A
`
`KEYBOARD
`
`D|Sp|_Ay
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Page 3 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 2 of 24
`
`US 7,249,072 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`System
`Maintenance
`Program
`206
`
`
`
`Calende"
`Pr09T3m
`392
`
`Docketl
`
`
`E
`
`Database
`
`100
`
`FIG. 2A
`
`
`
`FIG. 2B Main VVIndow
`
`Page 4 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`204
`
`/
`Processes
`
`
`
`226
`
`
`
`222
`
`/— 212
`
`Templates
`
`207
`
`
`
`214
`
`216
`
`21 8
`
`220
`
`Tax Calc
`
`Template
`
`|
`
`
`
`I
`
`“
`
`Appeal Control
`
`Template
`
`Installment
`
`Template
`
`
`N
`Label
`
`
`228
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Template
`
`LVP9)
`
`
`
`Retrieve
`
`Template
`
`(based on
`Year, State,
`Jurisdiction,
`and
`
`Tax
`
`Calculations
`
`Appeal
`
`Decisions
`
`
`
`Reports
`
`Select a type of template on first match of:
`
`1. Year, State, Jurisdiction
`.3 2. Year, State, Parent Jurisdiction (keep moving up Jurisdiction chain)
`3. Year, State
`4. Year
`
`Page 5 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 4 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`406
`
`236 238
`
`240 242 244 246 248 250/* 230
`
`
`‘ Plopmly Maintenance
`-
`flax‘
`‘xfiave
`mm?‘ 5»-«L_El E.‘ W
`
`1,1,
`
`.
`
`21?»
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`
`234
`
`258
`
`262
`
`272
`
`256
`
`260
`
`268
`
`270
`
`274
`
`275
`
`278
`
`FIG. 4 Parcel Record
`
`,— 230
`
`
`
`282
`
`
`
`
`(9 lndvidual ltuneri Pvooetv Only!
`0 Contincd unmae sunoronertics]
`
`0 Both
`
`
`
`FIG. 5 Calculate Tax
`
`Page 6 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 5 of 24
`
`US 7,249,072 B1
`
`:Assessmenl hack
`
`Twe-'GvRE OPP OSUP ONAV
`TracklD:
`1
`Tufilzt N25
`TaxBlAmt 0-00
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`FfiVRag 0.100000
`LF'VFldec 0.052680
`Eq Fifi; 1.00000
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`ao.ooooao
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`284
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`286
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`FIG. 6 Assessments
`
`
`
`F(NFlale: o.o37oza
`LPVFIatx o.1oz1-u
`Rate Year 1997
`
`FIG. 7 Districts
`
`Page 7 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 6 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`296
`
`298
`
`284
`
`/— 294
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`.
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`1.:
`
`9! A
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`cl
`”°‘ wnj mt:_._‘T_.:
`awr:l:“_:1 oaeueam 9
`300 w~n¢ wwu §
`ADDea1T9DeI@SlarderdAno-Bel OEmCqru:limA;maJ
`Dvenideslandafdappealat Leveto
`Heaxingo
`Annealfiecsonsz j:1;q!Z%j!1§T1!ZI szm
`[ Responsible Professional:
`Emmated?
`
`9
`
`I
`
`Apnea!Coda
`
`Refund ExpectedE:: Herw-d Receivert
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`Aweflanl Other INm
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`D Consultant Engaged
`
`
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`
`I-ax crew:
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`9~
`
`
`f 302
`
`I,_
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`
`I.
`
`FIG. 8 Appeal Record
`
`296
`
`298
`
`
`
`
`Fee :AgIeernenl 331
`F1nalAmount
`0.00
`
`0
`
`Flxgreement 132
`Terms
`Fmal Amount
`
`H0w|9
`
`I] o. on
`Form
`
`
`
`FIG. 9 Appeal Billing
`
`Page 8 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 7 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`.agr-L .9‘-.5]
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`-
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`
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`
`fig
`
`W
`
`FIG. 10 Appeal Process
`
`
`
`FIG. 11 Subparcels
`
`Page 9 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 8 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`31 0
`
`31 2
`
`r 308
`
`314
`31 5
`320
`
`332 1
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`336
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`ones.
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`that Pavamdeis
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`Crederev:budg:=:lpatameterseredit
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`Notes:
`‘%
`go into the budge! wo:k:heeL
`
`.
`‘ ':I::::sl
`
`8
`324
`
`. Suppb.rna1la!
`
`FIG. 12 Create Budgets
`
`Budge! Worksheet Im Scol lesl
`
`B
`
`Slate: AZ
`P1opeI'lyYear. 1997
`Pr0pNa1-ne: Pakevflefidence
`
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`344
`346
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`FIG. 13 Budget Worksheet
`
`Page 10 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 9 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`T
`Due
`
`., 52.9%.
`
`is:
`D
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`
` 350
`
`FIG. 14 Accounts Payable
`
`/— 352
`
`A/P Entries
`
`EDI-vide into |nstaII_rne__rLs-L;
`Include Discounts
`El] Include Payments
`E] Skip Tracks Already Brought Over
`
`up lot this jurisdiction.
`
`This ptocedure w1II automatically create A/P recovds. Payee: must
`be setup fo: the iurisdiction Also. the installment rules must be set
`
`FIG. 15 Auto Add
`
`Page 11 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 10 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`366
`
`,— 354
`
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`360
`362
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`364
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`FIG. 17 Contacts
`
`Page 12 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 11 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`r-
`.§*i
`;;: V,L_
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`‘fa
`
`376
`
`FIG 18 Referral
`'
`
`FIG. 19 Working Professionals
`
`394
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`396
`
`398
`
`400
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`f 392
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` FIG. 20 Calendar
`
`403
`
`Page 13 of 47
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`m=Wmmmm_+
`42°
`;
`.
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 12 of 24
`
`US 7,249,072 B1
`
`:eaiFF‘.DIZEti-
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`432
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`434
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`438
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`408
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`,— 442
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`
`FIG. 23 State Set Up
`
`1: System Maintenance
`2:
`Regional Controls
`3:
`
`States
`
`zsyslem Maintenance
`Region Controls
`Jurisdictions
`
`Add Required
`Jurisdictions
`
`
`
`:System Maintenance
`Region Controls
`Jurisdictions
`Payee Button
`
`Link Payees to
`
`Jurisdictions
`
`FIG. 22 Creating States and
`Jurisdictions
`
`Page 14 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 13 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`1. Sdeclaslale.
`
`5 ubslurisdicliunt:
`
`FIG. 24 Jurisdiction Set Up
`486
`406
`
`476
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`
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`
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`Side: AZ
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`Fax 502-555-0001
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`
`Addict: 121 W. Jcllasan
`
`FIG. 25 Jurisdiction Payee
`
`Page 15 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 14 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`Client Browser
`
`260
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`FIG. 26 Client Browser
`
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`
`2 System Maintenance
`.
`Region Controls
`:
`Tax Year Template
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`Create Tax Year
`Templates. Link to
`State or Jurisdiction.
`
`: System Maintenance
`Region Controls
`Revaluation Template
`
`Create ReYa'
`Templates. Link to
`State or Jurisdiction.
`
`T
`ax cam‘
`Create
`Templates. Link to
`State or Jurisdiction.
`
`System Maintenance
`
`Region Controls
`.
`: Tax Calculation Template
`
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`Create Valuahon
`Templates. Link to
`State or Jurisdiction.
`
`2 System Maintenance
`.
`Region Controls
`: Valuation Template
`
`: System Maintenance
`Region Controls
`hsmnmamrempme
`
`Create Installment
`Templates. Linkto
`State or Jurisdiction.
`
`FIG. 27 Templates
`
`Page 16 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 15 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`512
`
`509
`
`514
`
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`
`FIG. 28 - TAX YEAR TEMPLATE
`
`450
`
`406
`
`454
`
`452
`
`456
`
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`
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`524
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`
`
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`
`FIG. 30 Templates by Year
`
`Page 17 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 16 of 24
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`Page 18 of 47
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 17 of 24
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`Page 19 of 47
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 18 of 24
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`Us 7,249,072 B1
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`Page 20 of 47
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 19 of 24
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`Us 7,249,072 B1
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`
`Page 21 of 47
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 20 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`f 69°
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`
`Page 22 of 47
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`
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`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 21 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`694
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`Page 23 of 47
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`;nn.24,2007
`
`Sheet 22 of 24
`
`US 7,249,072 B1
`
`/— 724
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`1: System Maintenance
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`Page 24 of 47
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 23 of 24
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`Us 7,249,072 B1
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`Page 25 of 47
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 2007
`
`Sheet 24 of 24
`
`Us 7,249,072 B1
`
`456
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`Page 26 of 47
`
`

`
`US 7,249,072 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING
`MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL PROPERTY TAX
`INFORMATION
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Application No. 60/190,154, filed Mar. 17, 2000, entitled
`“Method and System for Managing Multi-Jurisdictional
`Property Tax Information,” which is incorporated herein by
`reference.
`
`COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION
`
`Portions of this patent application include materials that
`are subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has
`no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the
`patent document itself, or of the patent application as it
`appears in the files of the United States Patent and Trade-
`mark Office, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights
`whatsoever in such included copyrighted materials.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`This invention relates generally to the management of
`property tax information. More particularly, it relates to a
`method and system for managing multi-jurisdictional prop-
`erty tax information.
`Competitive forces ir1 the real estate industry l1ave caused
`real estate companies to continuously demand more infor-
`mation and better performance from their property tax
`managers. More than $200 billion in property taxes are
`collected each year in the United States, outpacing corporate
`income taxes in some corporations. Increases in property
`taxes to plug the state and local revenue holes left by
`reduced federal funding have created cost pressures on many
`companies. With over 80,000 state and local taxing juris-
`dictions, managing multi-jurisdictional property tax infor-
`mation can be a daunting task.
`Property tax managers have responded to these challenges
`by turning to computer information systems for solutions
`that improve productivity and aid in reducing property tax
`costs. Before the present invention, however, such systems
`have not been able to efiiciently manage multi-jurisdictional
`property tax information.
`Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a method and
`system for managing multi-jurisdictional property tax infor-
`mation. Accordingly,
`it
`is an object of this invention to
`provide such an improved method and system.
`Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
`set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be
`apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice
`of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention
`may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumen-
`talities and combinations pointed out
`in the appended
`claims.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with
`the purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly
`described in this document, there is provided a method for
`managing multi-jurisdictional property tax information for a
`plurality of real estate parcels. A computer system in accor-
`dance with the invention includes a data storage device, an
`output device and a processor. The processor is programmed
`to maintain in the storage device a database of property tax
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`
`data including a plurality of parcel records, each parcel
`record including a parcel identifier for identifying a parcel of
`the plurality of real estate parcels, a tax year identifier for
`identifying the tax year applicable to the parcel, a state
`identifier for identifying the state in which the parcel is
`located and a jurisdiction identifier for identifying a juris-
`diction within the state in which the parcel is located. The
`processor is further programmed to maintain in the storage
`device a plurality of templates wherein each template is
`associated with a tax assessing or billing entity, defines tax
`rules specific to the associated entity and is linked to at least
`one of a state record for the state in which the parcel is
`located, a jurisdiction record for a jurisdiction within the
`state or a system master record. The processor is further
`programmed to receive an input requesting a report of
`information for a specified parcel record,
`to retrieve a
`template from the stored templates based on the tax year
`identifier, the state identifier and the jurisdiction identifier
`linked to the retrieved template, to generate the requested
`report using the retrieved template and the tax rules defined
`by the retrieved template, and to output the requested report
`to the output dcvicc.
`In a preferred embodiment of the system, the plurality of
`templates includes one or more of a tax calculation template
`for calculating property taxes for the parcel, a valuation
`template for defining data entry rules applicable to a parcel,
`an appeals template for defining property tax appeal infor-
`mation, an installment template for defining installment
`payment rules applicable to the parcel, a revaluation tem-
`plate for defining a revaluation cycle for the parcel, a tax
`year template for defining the beginning and end dates of a
`tax year and a dynamic label template for defining naming
`conventions for a state or jurisdiction to allow for the use of
`different state and/or jurisdiction terminology. The processor
`is programmed to automatically retrieve a template by
`searching the stored templates for a template having a link
`that matches the first of: a tax year applicable to the selected
`parcel, the state in which the selected parcel is located, and
`the jurisdiction associated with the specified parcel; or a tax
`year applicable to the selected parcel and the state in which
`the selected parcel is located; or a tax year applicable to the
`selected parcel.
`A preferred method in accordance with the invention,
`includes maintain in a computer storage device a database of
`property tax data including a plurality of parcel records,
`wherein each parcel record includes a parcel identifier for
`each parcel of the plurality of real estate parcels, a tax year
`identifier for identifying the tax year applicable to each
`parcel, a state identifier for identifying the state in which
`each parcel is located and a jurisdiction identifier for iden-
`tifying a jurisdiction within the state in which the parcel is
`located. The method further includes maintaining in the
`storage device a plurality of templates wherein each tem-
`plate is associated with a tax assessing or billing entity,
`defines tax rules specific to the associated entity and is
`linked to at least one of a state record for the state in which
`
`the parcel is located, a jurisdiction record for a jurisdiction
`within the state or a system master record. The method can
`include receiving an input requesting a report of information
`for a specified parcel record, to retrieve a template from the
`stored templates based on the tax year identifier, the state
`identifier and the jurisdiction identifier
`linked to the
`retrieved template. The method can further include gener-
`ating the requested report using the retrieved template and
`the tax rules defined by the retrieved template and outputting
`the requested report to the output device.
`
`Page 27 of 47
`
`

`
`US 7,249,072 B1
`
`3
`The step of maintaining a plurality of templates can
`include maintaining one or more of a tax calculation tem-
`plate for calculating property taxes for the parcel, a valuation
`template for defining data entry rules applicable to a parcel,
`an appeals template for defining property tax appeal infor-
`mation, an installment
`template for defining installment
`payment rules applicable to the parcel, a revaluation tem-
`plate for defining a revaluation cycle for the parcel, a tax
`year template for defining the beginning and end dates of a
`tax year and a dynamic label template for defining naming
`conventions for a state or jurisdiction to allow for the use of
`different state and/or jurisdiction terminology. The step of
`retrieving a template from the stored templates can include
`automatically searching the stored templates for a template
`having a link that matches the first of: a tax year applicable
`to the selected parcel, the state in which the selected parcel
`is located, and the jurisdiction associated with the specified
`parcel; or a tax year applicable to the selected parcel and the
`state in which the selected parcel is located; or a tax year
`applicable to the selected parcel.
`Using the system and method of the present invention,
`property tax data for properties covered by different juris-
`dictions can be efficiently defined and accessed at
`the
`jurisdictional level at the lowest-level tax collecting entity.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`4
`
`FIG. 11 shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary Subparcels dialog box for adding to or deleting sub-
`parcels from a lead or parent parcel.
`FIG. 12 shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary Create Budgets window for accessing the budgeting
`function of the system.
`FIG. 13 shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary Budget Worksheet window that displays a budget
`generated by using the Create Budgets window of FIG. 12.
`FIG. 14 shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary Accounts Payable window for accessing the accounts
`payable function of the system.
`FIG. 15 shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary Auto Add dialog box for setting the system to auto-
`matically calculate tax installments and create accounts
`payable records for the installments.
`FIG. 16 shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary Address Information window for entering and main-
`taining in the system address records for clients, payees,
`taxing jurisdictions and the like.
`FIG. 17 shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary Contacts dialog box for attaching additional contacts
`to an address record.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`FIG. 18 shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary Referral dialog box for attaching referral information
`to a client address record.
`
`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
`and constitute a part of the specification,
`illustrate the
`presently preferred embodiments and methods of the inven-
`tion and, together with the general description given above
`and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments
`and methods given below, serve to explain the principles of
`the invention.
`FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of a typical computer
`system, such as a personal computer system, with which the
`method and system of the present invention can be practiced.
`FIG. 2A shows a block diagram of the various software
`program components of one embodiment of a property tax
`application in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 2B shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary Main window for accessing the various software
`program components of the property tax application.
`FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting the programs and process by
`which the property tax application selects templates to
`generate reports in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 4 shows a computer monitor display of an exemolary
`Property Maintenance window for adding, updating and
`deleting data in a main parcel record.
`FIG. 5 shows a computer monitor display of an exemolary
`Tax Calculation dialog box for selecting taxing jurisdictions
`to use to calculate tax for a parcel.
`FIG. 6 shows a computer monitor display of an exemolary
`Assessment window for adding, updating and deleting
`assessment tracks and related detail.
`
`FIG. 7 shows a computer monitor display of an exemolary
`Districts dialog box for displaying a listing of all assessment
`tracks for a property.
`FIG. 8 shows a computer monitor display of an exemolary
`Appeal Record tab window for entering information into the
`system regarding appeals and billings for a parcel record.
`FIG. 9 shows a computer monitor display of an exemolary
`Appeal Billing tab window for setting up billing information
`for an appeal
`FIG. 10 shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary Appeal Process window that can be used to ‘nput
`decision data on specific appeals.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`FIG. 19 shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary Working Professionals window for defining the people
`in the user’s organization that may take a lead or supportive
`role in working with specific appeal cases.
`FIG. 20 shows a computer monitor display of a Calendar
`tab of an exemplary Docket and Calendar window for
`accessing the calendar functions of the system.
`FIG. 21 shows a computer monitor display of a Docket
`Entry tab of an exemplary Docket and Calendar window for
`accessing the calendar functions of the system.
`FIG. 22 is a flow diagram showing the process by which
`state and jurisdiction information is added to the database of
`the property tax system.
`FIG. 23 shows a computer monitor display of an exem-
`plary State Set Up window for adding a new state to the
`database of the system.
`FIG. 24 shows a monitor display of the Jurisdiction
`Maintenance window for adding and modifying states and
`jurisdictions stored in the database of the property tax
`system.
`FIG. 25 shows a monitor display of a Jurisdiction Payee
`window for attaching a payee to a jurisdiction stored in the
`database of the property tax system.
`FIG. 26 shows a monitor display of a browser like that can
`be used to select information from the database to be and
`
`enter into input fields used in the application.
`FIG. 27 is a flow diagram showing the process by which
`Tax Year Templates, Revaluation Templates, Tax Calcula-
`tion Templates, Valuation Templates and Installment Tem-
`plates are created and stored in the database of the property
`tax system.
`FIG. 28 shows a monitor display of a Tax Year Template
`window for creating a Tax Year Template.
`FIG. 29 shows a monitor display of a window for linking
`a Tax Year Template to a state, jurisdiction or a system
`master record.
`
`FIG. 30 shows a monitor display of a window for dis-
`playing templates linked to a sample jurisdiction.
`FIG. 31 shows a monitor display of a Revaluation Tem-
`plate window for creating a Revaluation Template.
`
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`US 7,249,072 B1
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`FIG. 32 shows a monitor display of a window for linking
`a Revaluation Template to a state, jurisdiction or a system
`master record.
`
`FIG. 33A shows a monitor display of a Tax Calculation
`Template window for creating a Tax Calculation Template.
`FIG. 33B shows a monitor display of an alternative
`configuration of a Tax Calculation Template window for
`creating a Tax Calculation Template.
`FIG. 34 shows a monitor display of a window for linking
`a Tax Calculation Template to a state, jurisdiction or a
`system master record.
`FIG. 35 shows a monitor display of an Installment Tem-
`plate window for creating an Installment Template.
`FIG. 36 shows a monitor display of a window for linking
`an Installment Template to a state, jurisdiction or a system
`master record.
`
`FIG. 37 shows a monitor displa