Legal question...
 

At my job, I program reports for a software package... The kind of reports that print out of a program showing sales, tax pulled in, payroll info, etc...

A customer that I know makes some serious money at his office is asking for a way, outside of our program, to be able to change numbers around that appear on the reports. My guess is that he wants to do this to show the government that he is making less than he actually is.

The question: Can I get in deep shit for creating this for him?

If I was to bring up a form showing all of the numbers that will appear on the report, and make that grid editable before the report prints, could I get in trouble for this in any way?

I mean, I could just say that he asked for the numbers to appear prior to printing the report incase he needed to go change something before the report prints, but is this legal to do, since I have an idea of what he might be planning on doing?

I would think if you know what he is using it for, that makes you an accessory/accomplice or whatever the term would be.

I'm gonna go with....yes, you could most certainly get in deep shit.

So I would suggest 2 things:

First, don't do it.

Second, if you ignore the first suggestion and do it ayway, at least get some kind of payoff. :D

Any more questions?

Not being a lawyer, I don't know how valid my advice is but....

If you went to a half-assed corporate-type (as in specialty) lawyer and got a good liscense agreement written up that forbid illegal uses, etc... and got him to sign it, it would probably cover you. Don't know how much that would cost, though, but if the guy wants to be illegal I'd imagine he'd pay a pretty good sum.

The big question would be if the program has legitimate uses as well as illegal ones. The makers of Kazza can't be held liable to the illegal use fo their program because there ae also legitimate uses, even though the vast majority of usage is illegal. I'd guess it'd be a simmilar situation with this program (unless he makes it obvious he's going to use it to commit tax fraud).

Ethically, of course, it'd be wrong to do the program, but legally you might be ok.

I appreciate the advice guys... I think I may have to stay away from this one, just in case.. I wouldn't want the company getting sued over something I create outside of work for someone.

Maybe I'll just give him advice on how to use another report writing software and he can do it himself if he can figure it out...

I don't think you would be any more liable for someone using your program for non-lawful purposes tham Microsoft would be if someone used excel for the same. Giving someone the ability to customize the reports does not mean you advocate that they use the reports to hide income, etc..

intecel:

He may want to correct errors made by faulty order entry? Garbage in and garbage out and all..

I would ask him why? Chances are if it is illegal he won't say and you won't have to assist him.