Copyright OASIS, 2001 Developing Information Standards for the Tax Community Dale Waldt Program Development, OASIS 28 April 2002

Copyright OASIS, Introduction Dale Waldt –Currently Program Development, OASIS XML Training & Business Consultant –Previous Relevant Experience VP Product Technology, Research Institute of America, Tax Publishing Division of Thomson Corporation Author, SGML Implementation Guide (Springer 1995) Founder/Publisher, Structured Information Newsletter Electronic Database Specialist, Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Since 1978

Copyright OASIS, Agenda A Vision for Tax Information Standards Standards Development Arenas Standards Development at OASIS A Vertical Community Case Study

Copyright OASIS, Why Build Tax Info Standards? Obvious Reasons –More Efficient & Accurate Information Interchange Filings & Reporting Research Documents –Leveraged Development Calculations Processing –Data Longevity Platform & Product Independence –Software Interoperability ERP Integration Financial Systems Integration

Copyright OASIS, Why Build Tax Info Standards? Counterintuitive Reasons (Concerns) –Information as a commodity or selling enhanced implementations? –Lose competitive edge or enable new partnerships? –Removing barriers to switching or simplifying processing –Participating proactively in the inevitable or playing catch up "Cooperate on standardization, compete on implementation."

Copyright OASIS, Activities Affected by Taxation Taxes Affect all Parts of the Business Systems Integration Opportunities –Finance & Banking –Business Planning –Commerce –Accounting & Billing –Benefits –Payroll –Reporting & Filing to Government

Copyright OASIS, Potential Tax Info Standards By Tax Type –Individual Income –Corporate Income –Pension & Estate –Sales & Use –Specialty By Venue Type –Federal / National –State –Local Jurisdictions –International –Specialty By Data Type –Financial & Accounting Records –Filing & Reporting –Primary Research Materials –Secondary Research Materials –Application Interoperability (APIs) By Application Type –Data Entry –Calculation –Forms & Reporting –Security –Messaging –Process Management

Copyright OASIS, Recommendations… Participation needs to be open Representation needs to be broad Clear & impartial process will eliminate proprietary obstacles Implementation may need to be "local" or specific, but with a big picture in mind Convergence & harmonization is likely to follow "local" implementation Leveraging existing standards & experience will expedite development

Copyright OASIS, Standards Development Forums De Jure Standards Bodies –ISO –UN CEFACT –Etc. De Facto Standards Bodies –OASIS –W3C –Etc. Industry Consortia –UDDI –Rosetta Net –Etc. Proprietary Specifications –Microsoft.Net –Sun (etc.) J2EE –Etc.

Copyright OASIS, What is OASIS? OASIS is a member consortium dedicated to building systems interoperability specifications We focus on industry applications of structured information standards, such as XML, SGML, and CGM. Members of OASIS are providers, users and specialists of standards-based technologies and include organizations, individuals and industry groups. International, Not-for-profit, Open, Independent Successful through industry-wide collaboration

Copyright OASIS, Mission OASIS drives the development, convergence and adoption of e-business standards.