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Ask HN: Is it safe to file for taxes in the US, at this time?

6 points by netfortius ↗ HN
I am thinking of an additional issue/risk in exposing PI to third parties, as such may have the ability to install an MITM solution, and capture information "in flight" (during transactions associated with filing), for a limited amount of people who are doing it, vs just leaving account data encrypted at rest for now, alongside millions of other accounts, and waiting for more info on what's being done in the SSA present activities.

6 comments

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pwg
In any case, you will have to file by Apr. 15, unless you request an extension. And even with an extension, you will have to file (IIRC) no later than Oct 15. So all you can do is delay the inevitable.

Avoidance of MITM/in flight for electronic data is best done by not filing electronically (esp., given that if you use one of the tax prep packages, all your tax data flows through them unencrypted on its way to going to the IRS).

Print the forms to paper, sign them, stuff into an envelope, and file via the US Mail (sending certified return receipt if you like).

netfortius
Of course you need to comply with a deadline. I am just asking about a time when access seems to be totally out of control, and with the hope that won't be for long. Once some compliance with PI protection is re-instated and clearly explained to the public, then maybe it would be safer to file electronically.

How exactly is paper filing safer, if those with out of control access are placed in a position to MITM, in such a case, by simply opening the incoming envelopes? I would be even more paranoid about such, not knowing what will happen (also - hopefully transitory) with USPS controls, especially if one places the IRS address on the mail ...

pwg
> How exactly is paper filing safer,

I never said "safer". Your concern was MITM/electronic eavesdropping. Paper avoids all the "electronic eavesdropping" possibilities and the fact that TurboTax (substitute your preferred commercial tax prep. software for "TurboTax") has all your tax data in their database. Although if you use TurboTax "online" version they have your tax data anyway, even if you print and file on paper.

Granted, once the IRS receives the paper, it will eventually be entered into their computer systems, at which point the current illegal access to sensitive data by unelected billionaire lackeys can occur regardless of how the return was filed, so the only angle to avoid that item is to delay filing in hopes that some court case blocks the illegal access from occurring before the deadline arrives. But there's no guarantee there, while the deadline is guaranteed to arrive.

The one item that filing on paper does provide, is a small "protest" as to the amount taken. Electronic is easier for the IRS (by some small measure). If they want that much of my income, I'm making it as hard on them as I can within what's legally allowed.

anon2549
No, it's not safe at all, but it's legally required.
runjake
It's fine. As far as I can tell from my end, nothing was delayed. Any data that could be leaked to "third-parties" (I assume you mean DOGE) has already been leaked several times by government and corporate mismanagement of your PII.

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https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-freeze-cre...