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Posted by Howard Kaikow on February 12, 2007, 1:01 am
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Is there proof that using tax software such as TurboTax or
TaxCut does NOT reveal any info to others?
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<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
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Posted by Phil Marti on February 13, 2007, 2:27 am
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> Is there proof that using tax software such as TurboTax or
> TaxCut does NOT reveal any info to others?
I'm hardpressed to think of a negative that can be proven.
I can tell you that if you use a standalone copy of the
software on your physically secure computer that is never
connected to any network, including the Internet, you're
safe from prying eyes.
--
Phil Marti
Clarksburg, MD
<< ======================================================= >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2006) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ======================================================= >>
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Posted by Victor Roberts on February 13, 2007, 2:27 am
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> Is there proof that using tax software such as TurboTax or
> TaxCut does NOT reveal any info to others?
Do you mean tax software that runs on your computer or
on-line tax software that runs on the Web?
While it is hard to prove that either would not reveal your
personal data to others, the safest bet seems to be running
software on your own computer and then printing and filing a
paper copy of your tax return. There is no evidence that
any of the major brands of tax software are sending any data
back to the manufacturer.
If this computer is used by other people or is connected to
the Internet through a cable modem or DSL line, you are at
somewhat greater risk of data theft. In that case I would
suggest keeping your personal tax data on removable drive,
such as a USB memory stick, which is removed whenever you
are not working on your tax return.
Of course, it is rare but possible that you could have
spyware on your computer that you acquired from somewhere
else that is capturing your keystrokes and sending them to
some third party. But that is not the fault of the tax
software. In that case, you could use a computer that is
never connected to the Internet to prepare and print your
tax return. (No, I do not go to this length myself, but I
know people who do.) At the very least you should have a
firewall, such as Zone Alarm, anti-virus software and
anti-spyware software.
If you e-file a tax return that was prepared using software
on your computer, you are trusting the company that
processes the electronic return to safeguard your data.
There are no reports I know of that these companies have
misused personal data.
If you prepare your taxes on-line I believe there is a
slightly greater chance that your personal data may be
compromised, but again, I have not seen any reports that
personal data has been misused by any of the in-line sites
that are approved by the IRS. (See www.irs.gov./efile.)
--
Vic Roberts
Replace xxx with vdr in e-mail address.
<< ======================================================= >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2006) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ======================================================= >>
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Posted by Ernie Klein on February 13, 2007, 2:46 am
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> Is there proof that using tax software such as TurboTax or
> TaxCut does NOT reveal any info to others?
Huh?
If what you mean; is there some hidden "phone home" software
embedded into the program(s) that reveals personal
information? Then, no.
This can be easily detected by examining logs from packet
sniffers and/or ethernet analyzers/monitors that many of us
have to detect any such unauthorized traffic from our
systems.
If anyone discovered such activity, the news would quickly
spread. It would become a major news item.
Of course, if your computer is already infected by a virus,
Trojan horse, or zombi software from other sources, then
_anything_ you do or type on your computer can be revealed
to others, including using any tax or financial software and
any passwords you might use.
--
-Ernie-
<< ======================================================= >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2006) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ======================================================= >>
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Posted by Bewildered on February 13, 2007, 6:00 pm
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> Is there proof that using tax software such as TurboTax or
> TaxCut does NOT reveal any info to others?
How could there be? Is there proof that using tax software
doesn't increase global warming?
Moderator:
Proving a negative is such an exercize in futility that it
would have Sir Karl Popper rolling over in his grave.
<< ======================================================= >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2006) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ======================================================= >>
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