[smallegan]

Sounds like a great project but don't you fear that you will be sued immediately by TurboTax? Any large company I've done work with in the past has had me explicitly sign agreements that would prohibit me from going out and creating competing software with the domain knowledge I had obtained.

[ecolner]

Yes. That's why I retained an IP lawyer to review the agreements that I signed and to write an opinion about my plans. Every sw company will require you to sign these documents NDA and Non-compete. The key is don't steal their trade secrets, code, client lists, employees, etc. A lawyer can sue you or me at any time. The problem there is that a case that doesn't have merit will just look like bullying and help our cause. Even if they win a case like that what do they gain? An injunction to force ppl to pay for a service that should be free to every tax payer? Not a good fight to have IMHO.

[ryanhuff]

I empathize with that prospect, but unless you have deep pockets, won't you be quickly vaporized into dust through legal fees? This is especially problematic given the seasonal nature of income tax.

[ecolner]

It isn't a concern.

[smallegan]

Great answer, and honestly a lawsuit may draw more attention to your site/cause.