The distinction is an important one simply for liability and accountability purposes. I'm ok with going to a .gov site and doing tax work rather than foobartax

The distinction is an important one simply for liability and accountability purposes. I'm ok with going to a .gov site and doing tax work rather than foobartax even if they both are run by the same software shop. I have no idea what I'm signing away in the fine print while using foobartax. Almost all free financial products have some sort of a data siphon gig (all the free credit report and identity protection products for example). Is there any reason to believe a free file from a company is any different ? And even if you have some protections, it will be close to impossible to fight it out.