Taxing my patience

It's tax time. That means pain and suffering. For the first time in quite a while, however, I don't feel like it's my fault.

I tried using a service called TaxAct Online. They (allegedly) offer a free service, as well as add-on services for a fee.

I decided to use the free service, because my 2007 taxes should be simple (I didn't do anything fancy with my money in 2007, so the taxes shouldn't be difficult).

At the beginning of the program, I accidentally clicked on a button to select the $10 deluxe service. Realizing my mistake, I went back and deselected the service. I then spent the next 30 minutes or so entering my information.

When I got to the last page, I found I couldn't print out my completed forms without entering a credit card number to pay $10 for the deluxe service. I searched in vain for a way to convince the system that I didn't want the deluxe service, and finally sent a support request via their email form. Two days later, I get the following response:

We have located your account based on the information provided and see on 3/23/2008 you chose to upgrade to the Deluxe online ($9.95). Unfortunately once you have selected the option to upgrade from Standard Online to the Deluxe Online, there is no way to reverse the procedure. Your options are to continue with the Deluxe version and utilize the JK Lasser Expert Tax Advice, free telephone Technical Support and other additional comparison features or you can start a new Standard return and re-create/re-enter all data. To start a new return, go to http://www.taxact.com and click on Start Now under the Standard Over-The-Web product. You will need to create a new Username and Password.

A bit miffed, and unwilling to give them even a measly $10 after such an obnoxious response, I went to the IRS web site to find another online tax service.

The first one I found, Online Tax, has an interesting and disturbing agreement. It says, in part:

"On-Line Taxes: (i) does not guarantee the security of information collected during your use of the Software and Services, (ii) shall not be liable in any way for a compromise of your data"

Wow. So their going to collect the kind of information about me that's an identity thief's wet dream, and they're not going to promise to even try to keep it secure?

I guess this is why nobody reads these agreements. If they knew what was really going on, commerce would never occur. Look at the problems ADT has been having.

So, I'm not sure what I'm going to do about my taxes, but I sure am upset about the state of affairs.