IRS Tax Map David Brown Media and Publications Division Internal Revenue Service David Brown Media and Publications Division Internal Revenue Service

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? Contractor produced Intranet application Automated processes Technology - Topic Maps international standard Contractor produced Intranet application Automated processes Technology - Topic Maps international standard

Topic 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 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 Occurrence Location

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 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 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 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

Preparing 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 Information Search all 4000 topics

Search All Topics

Topic Page publication abstract

Publication 17 Links back to topic page. Arrows link to more occurrences.

Finding Information Find key “entry point” topics

Integrated Indexes

Form Finder

Finding Information Use Table of Contents

Browse By

Value 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 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 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 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 Response

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 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 Standard