Re: [lp-ca-on] Netfile Application Thoughts

[Bob Jonkman]

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Stephen wrote:
> if they want to talk to the netfile servers, they'll need to get 
> their own credentials.‎

That assumes there are authentication credentials separate from the
software to access the netfile servers.

Five years ago I worked to configure dozens of laptops with UFile
software for a group of volunteers who were doing tax prep. The
laptops were clones, so there were no unique server access credentials
in the software. There were many more volunteers than laptops, and I'm
pretty sure each volunteer didn't have unique credentials. And when
individual consumers buy a UFile CD at Staples are they issued unique
server access credentials?  And where are the server access
credentials for web-based filing software?

I'd like to know a bit more about the architecture of the software
before committing resources to creating something that isn't truly FAIF.

- --Bob.


On 2016-07-07 05:54 PM, Stephen Paul Weber wrote:
>> Either way, any software we produce would have to be certified by
>>  the CRA, which needs some assurances that the product that gets
>>  used to file taxes is the same product that was certified. That
>>  seems to be at odds with Freedoms 2 and 3, the freedom to make 
>> modifications and the freedom to distribute those modifications.
> 
> Not at all. There is no "freedom to have credentials for accessing
> a remote system".
> 
> People would be free to take the source, look at it, modify it, and
>  distribute that. But if they want to talk to the netfile servers,
>  they'll need to get their own credentials.‎
> 

=====
On 2016-07-07 04:20 PM, Bob Jonkman wrote:
> I spoke with Paul Young of Canadian Accounting Services, which does
>  tax preparation. Paul thinks that if we were to provide an online
> web service for filing, we'd have to register as Netfile filing
> agents as well as developers.
> 
> Either way, any software we produce would have to be certified by
> the CRA, which needs some assurances that the product that gets
> used to file taxes is the same product that was certified. That
> seems to be at odds with Freedoms 2 and 3, the freedom to make
> modifications and the freedom to distribute those modifications.
> 
> I suspect our energies are better directed towards lobbying the 
> government to adopt more Free Software for its own use (office 
> administration, accounting, &c.)
> 
> About incorporation: SOBAC Microcomputer Services is incorporated
> as "9024816 Canada Incorporated".  I would be willing to file the 
> application, but then there's the issue of who actually does the 
> work. What other contractual obligations will the CRA application 
> impose? Would you all need to become employees? Bad news, SOBAC 
> doesn't pay well.
> 
> --Bob.
> 
> 
> On 2016-07-07 03:26 PM, Greg Knittl wrote:
>> The CRA declined the unincorporated association. I doubt Libre 
>> Planet Ontario can manage incorporation by the 15th. We have to 
>> apply individually, likely as sole proprietors unless you are 
>> incorporated. We can change the product name later, it's not 
>> important to get started. It might even be best for anyone that 
>> wants to apply to pick their own name that's distinct from the 
>> overall Libre Planet project name. I would probably call mine 
>> something like Greg's Free/Libre Canadian Tax Software
> 
>> Filling out the initial application is fairly easy. Getting 
>> accepted may be an issue. Getting certified looks like a major 
>> effort, with some philosophical issues to iron out with the CRA 
>> such as the 20 return limit.
> 
>> I am not a lawyer but I think the initial application doesn't
>> bind one to a whole lot. If we get accepted, then the
>> Non-Disclosure Agreement would be a more binding step and we
>> would each have the option of declining the NDS and stopping
>> there. If the NDS affects one's ability to work on the base,
>> uncertified software that might be a reason to decline the NDS.
>> On the other hand the CRA probably has a lot of information that
>> would speed up work on the uncertified base software such as
>> lists of field names and how they are formatted. The test cases
>> would be helpful even if we don't get certified.
> 
>> What do you think? Is anyone else considering applying? I think
>> it would be good for multiple people to apply in case we hit
>> issues with the NDS that knock out some of the initial
>> applicants.
> 
>> Greg
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