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Post by graybeard on Feb 3, 2010 20:00:19 GMT -6
For some reason, I've always trusted turbotax to do my taxes right, but never trusted them with my data. No matter how late in the tax year I buy it, they always want to "check with Intuit website" for the latest tax updates, always claiming IRS rules that haven't been finalized. That's true even for their CDs produced well into the tax season, long after all rules had to be finalized.
It's gotten so bad, I do my taxes on an old laptop that's never connected to the net.
I have no intention of cheating, or even getting close to the edge, but it's NOTFB. Am I paranoid, or are they really out to get me?
GB
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Post by unlawflcombatnt on Feb 3, 2010 22:24:19 GMT -6
For some reason, I've always trusted turbotax to do my taxes right, but never trusted them with my data. No matter how late in the tax year I buy it, they always want to "check with Intuit website" for the latest tax updates, always claiming IRS rules that haven't been finalized. That's true even for their CDs produced well into the tax season, long after all rules had to be finalized. It's gotten so bad, I do my taxes on an old laptop that's never connected to the net. I have no intention of cheating, or even getting close to the edge, but it's NOTFB. Am I paranoid, or are they really out to get me? GB I don't think you're paranoid at all. These programs that require you to go on line and "check their website" seem fishy to me as well. It sounds just like all the other computer programs that want you to "register" so they can "check for updates." I've never registered for any of them, because I don't want them spying on me, nor do I want them accessing my computer, personal information, or anything else for that matter. And I don't want 'em crashing my computer by downloading something--like an advertisement for some other company's product. About every 1-4 months I have to do a recovery on my computer--which takes about 3 hours--because of some kind of crap a 3rd party has downloaded into my computer. And even then I often lose months'-worth of information I had stored on my computer. I'd keep doing taxes on another computer if I were you. That sounds completely reasonable to me.
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Post by agito on Feb 3, 2010 22:26:09 GMT -6
I think you are being overly paranoid. Frankly, we aren't that interesting to the feds
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Post by waltc on Feb 4, 2010 1:47:05 GMT -6
Actually its pretty damn wise to not have your computer hooked to the internet if you have sensitive financial information on it. And doubly so if your accounting/tax sw says it needs to routinely do mysterious uploads and downloads.
Its Computer Security 101.
Even better keep all the sensitive and personal data on a CD, Datastick, or removable HDD. So if your system is hijacked or some piece of software is doing very aggressive snooping, it won't find anything.
What scares me about Intuit is that the company has most of its staff in India. Try calling customer support and you get a script reading Hindu who knows less than you do about the app you're inquiring about. If you want a American you pay $$$.
And its not the Feds I'd worry about, its big business who will take that personal data they took from you and resell it to every tom, dick and miscreant with $$$.
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Post by unlawflcombatnt on Feb 4, 2010 2:44:05 GMT -6
I think you are being overly paranoid. Frankly, we aren't that interesting to the feds LOL. (I'm assuming I detected a note of sarcasm there.) The Feds (the FBI) tracked my credit cards and the receipts for my wedding in December 2003 in Spokane, Washington. They had copies of my credit card receipts and knew exactly where I'd stayed and when. I know this because they told me in so many words—in person. Don't put anything past the Feds. We no longer have a 4th Amendment. And anything you put on the internet, on a credit card, or say over the phone can be easily obtained by Federal agencies, without a warrant or official written request of any kind. They can get it authorized after the fact. A Federal District Attorney, or even an assistant DA, can retroactively authorize such a request. Again, I know this because it was done to me. And, again, the DA told me this in so many words—that they retroactively authorized the FBI to obtain credit card and travel records before I'd been charged with anything, and without any criminal or arrest record. (And, needless to say, without my authorization or knowledge.) Just be aware that if the Government ever decides to go after you--for any reason whatsoever—this is the kind of un-Constitutional crap they can do. (And will do.) And they'll get away with it, even if they admit openly that they've done it—and even if they admit it in front of a Federal judge.
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Post by jeffolie on Feb 4, 2010 14:59:14 GMT -6
I just did my taxes through a free offer linked by the IRS. I did not go for for the latest tax updates.
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