[lp-ca-on] Netfile Application Thoughts

[Greg Knittl]

The CRA declined the unincorporated association. I doubt Libre Planet 
Ontario can manage incorporation by the 15th. We have to apply 
individually, likely as sole proprietors unless you are incorporated. We 
can change the product name later, it's not important to get started. It 
might even be best for anyone that wants to apply to pick their own name 
that's distinct from the overall Libre Planet project name. I would 
probably call mine something like Greg's Free/Libre Canadian Tax Software

Filling out the initial application is fairly easy. Getting accepted may 
be an issue. Getting certified looks like a major effort, with some 
philosophical issues to iron out with the CRA such as the 20 return limit.

I am not a lawyer but I think the initial application doesn't bind one 
to a whole lot. If we get accepted, then the Non-Disclosure Agreement 
would be a more binding step and we would each have the option of 
declining the NDS and stopping there. If the NDS affects one's ability 
to work on the base, uncertified software that might be a reason to 
decline the NDS. On the other hand the CRA probably has a lot of 
information that would speed up work on the uncertified base software 
such as lists of field names and how they are formatted. The test cases 
would be helpful even if we don't get certified.

What do you think? Is anyone else considering applying? I think it would 
be good for multiple people to apply in case we hit issues with the NDS 
that knock out some of the initial applicants.

Greg