irs tax map david brown media and publications division internal revenue service david brown media...

IRS Tax Map IRS Tax Map IRS Tax Map IRS Tax Map

David BrownMedia and Publications Division

Internal Revenue Service

David BrownMedia and Publications Division

Internal Revenue Service

What is Tax Map?What is Tax Map?

• Electronic Research tool - Primary audience IRS telephone tax law assistors

• Network navigational model - Enables research by subject and discovery

• Contains forms and instructions, publications, tax law faq, and Tele-tax topics

• Builds on XML/SGML work we have done

• Electronic Research tool - Primary audience IRS telephone tax law assistors

• Network navigational model - Enables research by subject and discovery

• Contains forms and instructions, publications, tax law faq, and Tele-tax topics

• Builds on XML/SGML work we have done

What is Tax Map?What is Tax Map?

• Contractor produced

• Intranet application

• Automated processes

• Technology - Topic Maps international standard

• Contractor produced

• Intranet application

• Automated processes

• Technology - Topic Maps international standard

Topic Maps standardTopic Maps standard

• International standard describing knowledge structure.

• XML application - Web ready

• Roots back-of-book indexing

• Basic concepts - topics, occurrences, associations

• International standard describing knowledge structure.

• XML application - Web ready

• Roots back-of-book indexing

• Basic concepts - topics, occurrences, associations

Printed IndexPrinted Index

M&IE ……………………………. 181 Main home ……………….……71, 108 Mandatory retirement age ……… 229 Married taxpayers: (See also Spouse) Estimated Tax ………………….. 45 Filing status …………………….. 21 Signing joint return ……………. 22

M&IE ……………………………. 181 Main home ……………….……71, 108 Mandatory retirement age ……… 229 Married taxpayers: (See also Spouse) Estimated Tax ………………….. 45 Filing status …………………….. 21 Signing joint return ……………. 22

Topics

Association

OccurrenceLocation

Why Topic Maps?Why Topic Maps?

• Separate electronic file

• Capture knowledge

• Scalable and matures with time

• Accessibility

• Separate electronic file

• Capture knowledge

• Scalable and matures with time

• Accessibility

Preparing Tax MapPreparing Tax Map

• Using computers and tax expert knowledge

• Conducting workshops tax experts

• Starting with content - Working globally

• Using computers and tax expert knowledge

• Conducting workshops tax experts

• Starting with content - Working globally

Preparing Tax MapPreparing Tax Map

• Initially used index items

• Created 15 rules for merging

• Problems: variation precision, amount

• Initially used index items

• Created 15 rules for merging

• Problems: variation precision, amount

Preparing Tax MapPreparing Tax Map

• Gather headings by theme

• Group by subject, merge, relate

• Creating a web

• Creating hubs, entry points

• Gather headings by theme

• Group by subject, merge, relate

• Creating a web

• Creating hubs, entry points

• DUE,FILE,EXTENSION,DEADLINE,CALENDAR • DUE,FILE,EXTENSION,DEADLINE,CALENDAR

Preparing Tax MapPreparing Tax Map

• Tax experts rename and relate heads

• Using computer software and tax experts to relate topics

• Tax experts rename and relate heads

• Using computer software and tax experts to relate topics Topic- Due dates Related Topic (computer) - Due dates, fisherman Related Topic (human) - Estimated tax

Topic- Due dates Related Topic (computer) - Due dates, fisherman Related Topic (human) - Estimated tax

• When do I have to file?->Due Dates

• Due dates for qualified fisherman ->Due Dates, fisherman

• Due Dates | Estimated tax

• When do I have to file?->Due Dates

• Due dates for qualified fisherman ->Due Dates, fisherman

• Due Dates | Estimated tax

Finding InformationFinding Information

Search all 4000 topics

Search All TopicsSearch All Topics

Topic PageTopic Page

publication

abstract

Publication 17Publication 17

Links back to topic page. Arrows link to more occurrences.

Finding InformationFinding Information

Find key “entry point” topics

Integrated IndexesIntegrated Indexes

Integrated IndexesIntegrated Indexes

Form FinderForm Finder

Form FinderForm Finder

Finding InformationFinding Information

Use Table of Contents

Browse ByBrowse By

Value added Tax MapValue added Tax Map

• Key entry points or hubs to begin search

• Fast learning curve - similar to using an index

• Contains topics related by tax experts

• Topic page - single entry point for subject

• Creation of a tax law ontology

• Key entry points or hubs to begin search

• Fast learning curve - similar to using an index

• Contains topics related by tax experts

• Topic page - single entry point for subject

• Creation of a tax law ontology

Prototypes Prototypes

• Usability testing

• One day test Dallas call site

• Two week test - Boston call site

• Two week test - St. Louis

• Usability testing

• One day test Dallas call site

• Two week test - Boston call site

• Two week test - St. Louis

Results Dallas, Boston Results Dallas, Boston

• Gathered qualitative feedback

• Research by topic intuitive

• Topic search - preferred by less experienced

• Positively received by telephone assistors

• Gathered qualitative feedback

• Research by topic intuitive

• Topic search - preferred by less experienced

• Positively received by telephone assistors

St. Louis Test St. Louis Test

• Test to integrate Probe and Response Guide

• Integrated existing version

• Gather suggestions from assistors for integration

• Propose integration strategy

• Test to integrate Probe and Response Guide

• Integrated existing version

• Gather suggestions from assistors for integration

• Propose integration strategy

Probe and ResponseProbe and Response

What’s next What’s next

• Probe and Response Guide test in June

• Tax Products CD

• Taxpayer Education

• Tax examiners

• Learning and Education

• Internet

• Probe and Response Guide test in June

• Tax Products CD

• Taxpayer Education

• Tax examiners

• Learning and Education

• Internet

Maintenance Maintenance

• Summer and winter workshop needed with tax experts each year

• Development of new tools

• Standardized methodology

• Summer and winter workshop needed with tax experts each year

• Development of new tools

• Standardized methodology

Topic Maps StandardTopic Maps Standard

• http://www.isotopicmaps.org

• http://xml.coverpages.org/topicMaps.html

• http://www.isotopicmaps.org

• http://xml.coverpages.org/topicMaps.html