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

[Allan Zhang]

On Thu, Jul 07, 2016 at 05:47:57PM -0400, Greg Knittl wrote:
> Among other things, the CRA is putting us in a dilemma since we only get to
> see the NDA after applying, i.e. after deciding on our structure. It's
> not clear what liabilities
> the NDA would impose on SOBAC or us as individuals if information leeks
> out. You could be
> taking on liability for "employees" you don't really control. Likewise,
> if a bunch of us apply
> as proprietorships and there is a leak, it's not clear if the CRA would
> hold us individually or collectively responsible.
> It's not clear how the NDA will affect our ability to work on a paper
> filing program.
>
> I'm thinking it would be fair to try to ask the CRA for a copy of the
> NDA up front.
>
> As for where to direct Libre Planet Ontario energy, I see this as a
> non-zero sum game. My hope is that by investing some energy to move this
> forward, additional people will come on board to complete the project.
> It's early days, this could take years. But already from my selfish
> point of view, this collaboration has generated ideas for me to improve
> my paper filing tax program. It's an opportunity for Libre Planet
> Ontario to grow, especially to reach across Canada.
>
> As for software modifications, the CRA probably needs to be able to hold
> people to the numbers they submit. If you use free software and modify
> it that's even more deliberate on your part than just pumping numbers
> into a closed source program. I.e. you are more on the hook for your
> submission - if the CRA can prove you modified the software.
> http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/esrvc-srvce/tx/ndvdls/netfile-impotnet/crtfdsftwr/menu-eng.html#q1
> puts responsibilities on the user can only really fulfill with free
> software. These are fundamental, important, hard issues. It wouldn't
> surprise me, if there are some Charter of Rights issues (court cases)
> lurking here. There are easier issues to start with: the 20 return
> limit/computer doesn't make sense when the software is free and hardware
> is dirt cheap. I wonder if the CRA tests for virtual machines... We
> should also stick to our guns on the harder issues and keep chipping
> away at them.
>
> Greg


* What Charter of Rights issues would those be?



* Regarding free-as-in-freedom and modification

To match the same clean certification that other vendors have obtained, the CRA 
requires software to be reliable and *singular* . I.e. no derivatives.
Yes, you and I can tell folk to check checksums and that only the *official* 
version is certified. No warranty is offered with the GPL right? But the CRA is 
who ultimately processes the returns, and they have set their standards.

Is the end goal not to make a *good* tax software that people will actually 
use? For this, I believe CRA certification is a must.
This means NDA and not strict adherence to free software principles.
What does LP Ontario feels about this? I am of the position that the difference 
is to be made with a great product that many people actually use. Not pushing 
free software ideals that put free-as-in-freedom ahead of getting-things-done.

Addressing other points:
20 return limit, well, to adhere to it, restrict it in your code and call it a 
day. Esp. with no-modification clause.
I highly doubt CRA cares whether you use a VM or not.

-Allan