The present invention is integrated tax return preparation systems and
methods that provide a taxpayer with options related to review and
signing of a tax return by a tax professional. The integrated systems and
methods are computer-based and web-based online tax return preparation
systems and tax software used by taxpayers to prepare their own
electronic tax returns. Communications with a tax professional and
various forms of automated electronic communications are supported so
that taxpayers that prepare their own tax returns using a
self-preparation tax product may have them reviewed and signed by a tax
professional. Signature and review service options that are available
from a retail tax preparation service and typically available to only
customers of the tax preparation service are also provided to taxpayers
who prepare their own tax returns using an online tax preparation system
or tax software.