Re: [lp-ca-on] Software developers applications for T1 NETFILE

[Greg Knittl]

Hi,

Thanks. I have found 
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/rc4018/README.html RC4018 Electronic 
Filers Manual which contains 2 chapters. Does that constitute the entire 
Electronic Filers Manual for purposes of the Software Developer's 
Application for NetFile?

re: NETFILE Certification Agreement
I and others at Libre Planet Ontario generally subscribe to the 
philosophy outlined here: https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.en.html.
It is not clear from the documents you have provided to what extent the 
NetFile Certification requirements will be compatible with this philosophy.
It's entirely possible that when I see the actual NetFile Certification 
Agreement that I won't be able to abide by it.

Would you be able to send us the NetFile Certification Agreement?

Would you prefer us to outline our concerns as best we can, given the 
information you have already supplied? For example, I can code the 20 
return limit. However https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.en.html 
requires us to release the source code and build instructions so any 
user can modify and recompile the code to whatever limit they want and 
then share it with others.

If I tick the box in Section 8 and then decline the NetFile 
Certification Terms, would this nullify the whole application from the 
start or would I be left with
residual commitments to the CRA? For example, would it affect my ability 
to work on non NetFile Certified Tax software?

The documents you have sent, hint that the NetFile Certification process 
would give us access to information such as a list of tax field names 
and test cases that might be very useful in building a non-certified tax 
program. Considering we are starting from scratch, is it possible for us 
to start with a non-NetFile certified tax program to build the 
calculation engine, and then take it through NetFile Certification when 
it is more mature, while still getting access to non-secret information 
such as field names so we can design for NetFile certification from the 
beginning? The Electronic Filers Manual is extensive, but it doesn't 
seem to have a complete field list nor test cases.

thanks,
Greg

On 16-07-06 11:10 AM, NETFILE Certification Support / Soutien 
homologation IMPÔTNET (CRA/ARC) wrote:
> Hi,
>
> For Section 2, If Libre Planet Ontario is a partnership then you can just list 
> the name.
> For Section 3, I am assuming it will be a PC product, so you can just click 
> windows and then you can just write lInux in the space provided beside.
> For Section 4, the only allowable exclusions are the ones listed.
>
> We have attached the Netfile Certification Guide but the Agreement is only 
> given out once you have been accepted into the process.
>
> Thanks
>
> Electronic Filing Services Section / Section des services de transmissions 
> électroniques
> Electronic Services Division / Division des services électroniques
> 750 Heron Rd, 7th floor / 750, chemin Heron, 7e étage
> Ottawa, ON   K1A 0L5
> mailto:address@hidden
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Greg Knittl [mailto:address@hidden
> Sent: June-29-16 11:43 PM
> To: NETFILE Certification Support / Soutien homologation IMPÔTNET (CRA/ARC)
> Cc: Libreplanet Canada Ontario
> Subject: Re: Software developers applications for T1 NETFILE
>
> Hi,
>
> Thanks so much for the application form. I'm reviewing it with other
> members of Libre Planet Ontario. We are still pondering the form and may
> well have some additional questions. We notice that the deadline for
> getting the exclusion list to you is July 15th so I'd like to pass along
> a first installment of questions
>
> Section 2
>
> Libre Planet Ontario is as best we can tell an Unincorporated
> Association. Would you take an application from an Unincorporated
> Association or would you like us each to apply as sole proprietors?
>
> Section 3
>
> We will be writing for Linux. How do we express that on the form?
>
> Section 4
>
> We are starting from scratch. We are in Ontario. If there are any
> additional exceptions beyond the check boxes we would likely take them
> for the first year. If you have a list handy of mandatory functionality
> that amplifies the examples of joint returns and certain credits we
> would be grateful to have it now so we can start scoping the effort. If
> it's not readily available, not to worry, I assume we'll get it later
> via your test cases.
>
> Section 8
>
> please send the Electronic Filers Manual and the NETFILE Certification
> Agreement
>
> thanks,
> Greg
>
> On 16-06-29 12:18 PM, NETFILE Certification Support / Soutien
> homologation IMPÔTNET (CRA/ARC) wrote:
> > English Version *** La version française suit ***
> >
> > Good day,
> >
> > Attached is the NETFILE software developers' application.  Please complete and submit 
> > the application by email to  address@hidden<mailto:address@hidden>  by July 15, 
> > 2016.
> > If you have any questions about the application process, do not hesitate to 
> > contact us.
> >
> >
> >
> > *************************************************************************************
> > Version française *** The English version precedes ***
> > Bonjour,
> >
> >
> > Vous trouverez ci-joint le formulaire de demande pour les concepteurs de logiciels 
> > IMPÔTNET.  Veuillez compléter et soumettre le formulaire par courriel à 
> > address@hidden<mailto:address@hidden> d'ici le 15 juillet 2016.
> > Si vous avez des questions concernant le processus de demande, n'hésitez pas à 
> > nous contacter.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thank you / Merci,
> >
> >
> > Electronic Filing Services Section / Section des services de transmissions 
> > électroniques
> > Electronic Services Division / Division des services électroniques
> > 750 Heron Rd, 7th floor / 750, chemin Heron, 7e étage
> > Ottawa, ON   K1A 0L5
> > mailto:address@hidden</mc/address@hidden>