On 2011-03-09 11:10:39 John Hasler wrote: >Peter E. writes: >> Isn't a Web based tax calculation more efficient? > >Sure, if you don't mind publishing your tax returns. "Publishing" is perhaps a bit harsh. Most web-based tax services use end-to- end encryption to prevent the data from being intercepted both times it is "on the wire": from you to them and from them to the IRS. You *do* have to share your information with that entity and (implicitly) trust them not to disclose that information through malice or fault. It is likely they have terms that significantly limit their liability for such actions. Similarly, if you engage a tax professional you have to share your information with them and they will likely store that information on media they (or the entity they represent) owns. The same level of trust is required in this case, though it may be easier to obtain. "Publishing" has a connotation of "public", not neither of these sharing acts guarantees (or even significantly increases the chances) that the general public acquires access to your tax information. I've had a excellent experience using TaxAct's web-based software to file my personal taxes for at least the 5 past years. Even if you are capable and confident enough to file your own tax return, the normal method of filing "off-line" provides far fewer guarantees than the end- to-end security provided by a trusted TSL connection. As such, it is actually easier to subvert. I am not sure if the IRS supports direct electronic filing by individuals or if the tools to do so are available in Debian. I think not, which is one of the main reason I engage third-party in filing my U.S. taxes. -- Boyd Stephen Smith Jr. ,= ,-_-. =. bss@iguanasuicide.net ((_/)o o(\_)) ICQ: 514984 YM/AIM: DaTwinkDaddy `-'(. .)`-' http://iguanasuicide.net/ \_/
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