Tax preparation in tax software
Prepare a return from documents in consumer or SMB tax software.
20 project-authored proposals · taxonomy v1.1 · 0 new benchmark runs. Verifiers and partial-credit rules below are designs, not executed results.
Previous class address: R05.04.01.01 · Original proposal IDs are retained.
- Typical applications
- TurboTax · H&R Block · FreeTaxUSA
- Class GUI-need label
G2· GUI-essential
Task proposals · 20
Expand to inspect the complete original wording and proposed checks. Original proposal text remains English in both interfaces.
R05.04.01.01-T01 Prepare a single filer's W-2 and interest return in FreeTaxUSA
Original instruction
FreeTaxUSA test account, tax year 2025. Synthetic taxpayer 'Jordan Pike' (single, no dependents): input/client_docs/w2_pike.pdf (wages 84,200, federal withholding 9,100) and 1099-INT (412). Enter everything, take the standard deduction, stop at the e-file submission page, and save the federal return PDF to output/return.pdf.
- Platforms
web· Any OS (web)- Applications
- FreeTaxUSA
- Interfaces
brow· Browser- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
risk· Irreversible/risky- Proposed difficulty
- 2 / 5
Proposed verifier
Parsed 1040 lines 1a, 2b, 11, 15, 24, 25a and 34 equal key; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail; network log must show no e-file transmission.
Proposed partial credit
40% income lines; 40% tax and refund; 20% stopped before submission
R05.04.01.01-T02 Add a qualifying child and claim the child tax credit in TurboTax Online
Original instruction
TurboTax Online test return for 'Avery Lin' already contains a W-2. Add dependent child 'Noah Lin' (age 7, lived with taxpayer all year, SSN in input/dependent.txt), switch filing status to head of household where eligible, and save the 1040 plus Schedule 8812 PDF to output/. Do not file.
- Platforms
web· Any OS (web)- Applications
- TurboTax Online
- Interfaces
brow· Browser- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
risk· Irreversible/risky- Proposed difficulty
- 2 / 5
Proposed verifier
1040 filing status HOH; lines 19/28 (CTC/ACTC) and 34 equal key; Schedule 8812 present; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail; network log must show no e-file transmission.
Proposed partial credit
30% dependent and status; 50% credit lines; 20% refund line
R05.04.01.01-T03 Enter unemployment compensation and report the refund change in H&R Block Online
Original instruction
H&R Block Online test return for 'Sam Ortega' (refund shown at start). Enter input/client_docs/1099g_ortega.pdf (unemployment 6,450, federal withholding 645). Write the refund before, after, and the change to output/answer.txt; save the updated 1040 PDF to output/.
- Platforms
web· Any OS (web)- Applications
- H&R Block Online
- Interfaces
brow· Browser- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP12· Answer/decision- Conditions
risk· Irreversible/risky- Proposed difficulty
- 1 / 5
Proposed verifier
Schedule 1 line 7 equals 6,450; 1040 line 34 equals key; answer.txt before/after/change exact; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail.
Proposed partial credit
40% 1099-G entered correctly; 40% answer values; 20% PDF saved
R05.04.01.01-T04 Prepare a Schedule C with simplified home office and vehicle mileage in TurboTax
Original instruction
TurboTax Home & Business desktop, TY2025, new return for synthetic freelancer 'Rita Okafor' (single). Inputs: input/client_docs/ (1099-NECs, expense ledger xlsx, home office 220 sq ft, mileage log 6,120 business miles). Complete Schedule C, SE and QBI, using the simplified home-office method and standard mileage. Save the .tax2025 file and the PDF.
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windows- Applications
- TurboTax Desktop · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & formsmulti· Cross-app- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Schedule C lines 1, 9, 28, 30, 31, Schedule SE line 12 and 1040 line 24 equal key; grader reopens the saved .tax2025 to cross-check; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail. Control pair: T12.
Proposed partial credit
30% gross receipts and expenses; 20% home office and vehicle; 25% SE tax; 25% total tax
R05.04.01.01-T05 Itemize mortgage interest, capped SALT and charity in FreeTaxUSA
Original instruction
FreeTaxUSA test account, TY2025, married filing jointly 'Chen & Diaz'. Inputs: two W-2s, Form 1098, property-tax bill, state withholding, and a charity receipts folder (cash and one non-cash item over 500 needing Form 8283). Enter all, let the software choose standard vs itemized, stop before submission, save PDF.
- Platforms
web· Any OS (web)- Applications
- FreeTaxUSA
- Interfaces
brow· Browser- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & formsvis· Visual judgment- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
risk· Irreversible/risky- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Schedule A lines 5e (SALT cap applied), 8a, 11, 12, 17 and Form 8283 Section A equal key; 1040 line 12 and 24 equal key; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail; network log must show no e-file transmission.
Proposed partial credit
30% SALT and mortgage; 30% charity incl. 8283; 40% deduction choice and tax
R05.04.01.01-T06 Enter brokerage sales with wash-sale adjustments in TaxAct
Original instruction
TaxAct Online test return, TY2025. input/client_docs/1099b_summary.pdf lists 14 covered and 3 noncovered lots, two with wash-sale disallowed amounts (code W) and one noncovered lot whose basis comes from input/purchase_confirm.pdf. Enter all sales on Form 8949 with correct boxes and adjustment codes; save the PDF.
- Platforms
web· Any OS (web)- Applications
- TaxAct
- Interfaces
brow· Browser- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & formsvis· Visual judgment- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Form 8949 rows by box (A/B/D/E), column (g) adjustments with code W, Schedule D lines 7 and 15, and 1040 line 7 equal key; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail.
Proposed partial credit
40% rows in correct boxes; 30% wash-sale adjustments; 30% Schedule D totals
R05.04.01.01-T07 Complete a 1040 with Schedules B and 8812 in IRS Free File Fillable Forms
Original instruction
IRS Free File Fillable Forms (test environment), TY2025, synthetic MFJ couple with two children, W-2s and 6 interest/dividend payers (input/client_docs/). Add Form 1040, Schedule B and Schedule 8812 by hand, use the 'Do the Math' buttons, and save the printed PDF. Stop before e-file.
- Platforms
web· Any OS (web)- Applications
- IRS Free File Fillable Forms
- Interfaces
brow· Browser- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
risk· Irreversible/risky- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Lines 1z, 2b, 3b, 11, 16 (tax from IRS tax tables, not bracket math), 19, 24 and 34 equal key; Schedule B Part I/II totals exact; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail; network log must show no e-file transmission.
Proposed partial credit
30% income and Schedule B; 30% tax-table lookup; 40% credits and refund
R05.04.01.01-T08 Add a rental property with first-year depreciation in H&R Block desktop
Original instruction
H&R Block Premium desktop (Windows), TY2025, return for 'Grace Mbeki'. She placed a condo in service as a rental on 2025-06-15 (closing statement and rent ledger in input/client_docs/). Allocate basis between land (per assessor ratio) and building, set MACRS 27.5-year mid-month depreciation, enter income and expenses, and save PDF of Schedule E and Form 4562.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- H&R Block Tax Software
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Form 4562 depreciable basis and 2025 depreciation, Schedule E lines 3, 18, 20 and 26 equal key; grader reopens the saved return file; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail.
Proposed partial credit
30% basis allocation; 35% depreciation; 35% Schedule E totals
R05.04.01.01-T09 Report an HSA with an excess contribution in TurboTax
Original instruction
TurboTax Deluxe desktop, TY2025, self-only HDHP coverage for 9 months. Inputs: W-2 code W, 5498-SA, 1099-SA and input/client_docs/hsa_note.txt saying the excess was withdrawn before the due date with earnings. Complete Form 8889 and handle the corrective distribution; save the PDF.
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windows- Applications
- TurboTax Desktop
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Form 8889 lines 3, 6, 13, 14c, 16 and the earnings reported as other income equal key; no Form 5329 excise tax; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail.
Proposed partial credit
40% contribution limit lines; 30% excess correction; 30% no excise and income placement
R05.04.01.01-T10 Choose between education credits from a 1098-T in TurboTax Online
Original instruction
TurboTax Online test return, MFJ, one dependent in 2nd year of college. Inputs: 1098-T (box 1 payments, box 5 scholarship), bookstore receipts and a 529 1099-Q. Enter all, ensure the return uses the optimal credit (AOTC vs LLC) with correct qualified expenses after scholarship and 529 coordination, save PDF incl. Form 8863.
- Platforms
web· Any OS (web)- Applications
- TurboTax Online
- Interfaces
brow· Browser- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Form 8863 credit type and lines 1, 7, 8 and 19 equal key; taxable 529 earnings (if any) equal key; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail.
Proposed partial credit
30% qualified expenses; 40% credit chosen and amount; 30% 529 coordination
R05.04.01.01-T11 Prepare a client 1040 from an organizer in Drake Tax
Original instruction
Drake Tax 2025 (Windows), practice test mode. Create a client from input/organizer_harmon.pdf (MFJ, W-2s, 1099-R rollover, 1099-DIV with qualified dividends, student-loan interest). Enter data on the correct input screens, run diagnostics until no red errors remain, and print the client copy to output/harmon.pdf. Do not create an e-file transmission.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- Drake Tax
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & formskey· Shortcuts- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
licensed· Licensed pro apprisk· Irreversible/risky- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
1040 lines 4a/4b (rollover non-taxable), 3a, Schedule 1 line 21, 11, 16 and 24 equal key; diagnostics file shows no errors; no EF transmission file created; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail.
Proposed partial credit
30% income lines incl. rollover; 30% adjustments; 20% tax; 20% clean diagnostics
R05.04.01.01-T12 Compute the same Schedule C return with Tax-Calculator (control pair of T04)
Original instruction
Control pair of T04. Using the open-source PSL Tax-Calculator CLI (tc) for TY2025 policy, encode the same freelancer's inputs (input/client_docs/) as a single-record CSV and compute AGI, self-employment tax, QBI deduction and total tax. Write output/tc_result.json.
- Platforms
lin· Linuxmac· macOS- Applications
- Tax-Calculator · Python
- Interfaces
term· Terminal- GUI need · task setting
CL· CLI-sufficient- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
code· Code & commands- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
AGI, SE tax, QBI deduction and total tax equal T04's key within 1 USD; compared with T04 to measure the GUI penalty.
Proposed partial credit
25% AGI; 25% SE tax; 25% QBI deduction; 25% total tax
R05.04.01.01-T13 Prepare a part-year California resident return in FreeTaxUSA
Original instruction
FreeTaxUSA, TY2025. Synthetic filer moved from Oregon to California on 2025-07-01 (input/client_docs/: W-2 with two state lines, 1099-INT, move notes). Prepare federal plus CA 540NR (part-year) and the Oregon part-year return, allocating income by residency period and source. Stop before submission; save all PDFs.
- Platforms
web· Any OS (web)- Applications
- FreeTaxUSA
- Interfaces
brow· Browser- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
risk· Irreversible/risky- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
CA 540NR lines for CA-source income and CA tax, OR-40-P Oregon income and tax equal key; interest allocated by residency dates; federal unchanged from key; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail; network log must show no e-file transmission.
Proposed partial credit
20% federal; 40% CA part-year; 40% OR part-year
R05.04.01.01-T14 Prepare an S-corporation return with two shareholder K-1s in UltraTax CS
Original instruction
UltraTax CS 1120-S (Windows), test practice. From input/scorp_tb_2025.xlsx and input/scorp_notes.pdf (two shareholders 60/40, officer comp, Section 179, distributions), complete Form 1120-S, Schedules K, L, M-1, M-2, and K-1s; clear critical diagnostics and print to output/scorp.pdf.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- UltraTax CS · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & formsmulti· Cross-app- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
licensed· Licensed pro appmultiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
1120-S line 21, Schedule K lines 1, 11, 16d, M-1 and M-2 ending AAA equal key; K-1 allocations 60/40 exact; Schedule L balances; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail.
Proposed partial credit
30% ordinary income; 25% Schedule K; 25% K-1 allocations; 20% L/M-1/M-2 balance
R05.04.01.01-T15 Prepare a partnership return with guaranteed payments and a special allocation
Original instruction
Intuit ProSeries 1065 (Windows), test mode. From input/llc_tb_2025.xlsx and the operating agreement excerpt (input/oa_excerpt.pdf: 3 partners, guaranteed payments to one partner, depreciation specially allocated 100% to partner B), complete Form 1065, Schedule K, M-1, M-2 and K-1s; print to output/p1065.pdf.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- ProSeries · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & formsmulti· Cross-app- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
licensed· Licensed pro app- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
Form 1065 line 23, Schedule K lines 1, 4 and 14a, each K-1's lines 1, 4 and 14 and capital accounts equal key; special allocation applied; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail.
Proposed partial credit
25% ordinary income; 25% guaranteed payments and SE; 30% special allocation in K-1s; 20% capital accounts
R05.04.01.01-T16 Amend a filed return for a corrected W-2 in FreeTaxUSA
Original instruction
FreeTaxUSA test account with an accepted TY2025 return (sandbox). The employer issued input/client_docs/w2c.pdf correcting wages and state withholding. Start the amendment, update the W-2, and produce Form 1040-X with explanation 'Corrected W-2 (W-2c) received', federal and state amended PDFs. Stop before submitting the amendment.
- Platforms
web· Any OS (web)- Applications
- FreeTaxUSA
- Interfaces
brow· Browser- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
risk· Irreversible/risky- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
1040-X columns A, B, C for lines 1, 5, 11, 22 equal key; explanation text present; state amended form changes equal key; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail; network log must show no e-file transmission.
Proposed partial credit
40% 1040-X columns; 20% explanation; 30% state amendment; 10% stopped before submission
R05.04.01.01-T17 Flag a missing brokerage form instead of guessing in H&R Block Online
Original instruction
H&R Block Online test return. input/client_docs/ contains W-2s, a mortgage 1098 and a brokerage letter stating a consolidated 1099 (with dividends and sales) will be issued, but that 1099 is not in the folder. Enter everything you have, do not invent figures, mark the return incomplete, and write the client request in output/missing.txt naming the document needed.
- Platforms
web· Any OS (web)- Applications
- H&R Block Online
- Interfaces
brow· Browser- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
clarify· Ask when unclearrisk· Irreversible/risky- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
Return contains W-2 and 1098 entries equal key; no 1099-DIV/1099-B values entered; not submitted; missing.txt names the consolidated 1099 from the right broker. Any invented 1099 amounts score 0. H&R Block Online has no public API, so entries can only be made in the agent's browser session; grader reads the saved return from the test account.
Proposed partial credit
40% available documents entered exactly; 40% nothing invented and not filed; 20% request text
R05.04.01.01-T18 Prepare a complex household 1040 with K-1, rental and capital-loss carryover
Original instruction
Drake Tax 2025 (Windows), test mode. input/client_vasquez/ holds two W-2s, a Schedule C side business, an S-corp K-1 with Section 199A info, one rental with prior-year suspended passive losses, 1099-B with 2024 capital-loss carryover, and estimated payments. Prepare federal 1040, clear diagnostics, and print to output/vasquez.pdf. Do not transmit.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- Drake Tax · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & formsmulti· Cross-app- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
licensed· Licensed pro applong· Long-horizonrisk· Irreversible/risky- Proposed difficulty
- 5 / 5
Proposed verifier
Grader parses 1040 lines 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 24, 26 and 37, Schedule E Part I/II, Form 8582 and Form 8995 values vs key; no EF transmission file; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail.
Proposed partial credit
20% wages/Schedule C; 25% K-1 and QBI; 25% rental/passive limits; 30% capital-loss carryover and balance due
R05.04.01.01-T19 Prepare a C-corporation return reconciling book income in TurboTax Business
Original instruction
TurboTax Business (Windows), TY2025, synthetic C-corp 'Pinecrest Fabrication Inc.'. From input/ccorp_tb.xlsx and input/fixed_assets.xlsx, take Section 179 and bonus depreciation per input/tax_memo.pdf, compute Form 1120 with Schedules L, M-1 and M-2, Form 4562, and print to output/ccorp.pdf.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- TurboTax Business · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & formsmulti· Cross-app- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
licensed· Licensed pro applong· Long-horizon- Proposed difficulty
- 5 / 5
Proposed verifier
1120 lines 11, 20, 28, 30 and 31; Form 4562 lines 12 and 14; M-1 line 10 equals taxable income; Schedule L balances; all equal key. PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail; grader reopens the saved return.
Proposed partial credit
25% income/deductions; 25% depreciation; 25% M-1 reconciliation; 25% tax and Schedule L
R05.04.01.01-T20 Prepare an MFJ return for a NY-to-NJ mid-year move with resident credit
Original instruction
TurboTax Premier desktop, TY2025. Synthetic couple moved from New York to New Jersey on 2025-08-01; one spouse kept commuting to a NY employer. Prepare federal, NY IT-203 (part-year/nonresident) and NJ-1040 part-year with credit for taxes paid to NY on income earned while NJ resident. Save all PDFs.
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windows- Applications
- TurboTax Desktop
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
long· Long-horizon- Proposed difficulty
- 5 / 5
Proposed verifier
NY IT-203 federal and NY-source amounts and tax, NJ-1040 income, credit for taxes paid (Schedule NJ-COJ) and NJ tax equal key; federal 1040 equals key; PDF provenance checked: it must be the app's own print output (producer metadata, vendor form IDs), so PDFs built or edited by scripts fail.
Proposed partial credit
20% federal; 35% NY part-year/nonresident; 30% NJ part-year; 15% credit for taxes paid
Mapped research references
Existing benchmark-to-class links from the research catalog. They are not record-level annotations, executions or product endorsements.