[Fwd: Re: payroll]

[Stuart D. Gathman]

On Wed, 25 May 2005, Tom Haskins-Vaughan wrote:

> Are the rules released in a structured format? If so could an
> xml-described version of them not be 'loaded into' the payroll system?
> A group of generous tax lawyers could scrutinise the release and an
> official versions could be released?
> 
> Or am I just dreaming?

For this kind of problem requiring continuous expert review and updates,
I have always envisioned an open-source engine with paid-for data.
The tax lawyers would offer the xml-described data for sale on a 
subscription basis, say quarterly updates.  The engine and format is open,
so multiple firms can compete for the update business.  It would be
nice if this would happen for personal tax software also, but protecting
copyright of the xml data would be easier for businesses.  Updates could
include a digital signed serial number so that copyright violations
could be detected.

-- 
	      Stuart D. Gathman <stuart at bmsi.com>
    Business Management Systems Inc.  Phone: 703 591-0911 Fax: 703 591-6154
"Confutatis maledictis, flamis acribus addictis" - background song for
a Microsoft sponsored "Where do you want to go from here?" commercial.