[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant
Hewan Samuel
[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)
Individual
[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)
9
[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language
No
[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)
To automate business tax registration, filing, and payments. This ensures transparency, reduces errors, and prevents fraud by using secure blockchain technology.
[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
No
[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”
No dependencies
[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?
Yes
[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs
Our project will be fully open source throughout its entire lifecycle and licensed under the MIT License. This will allow the code to be freely used, modified, and distributed by anyone, encouraging community participation and transparency.
All key elements of the project—smart contracts for tax registration and management, the dApp frontend, and backend infrastructure—will be open source and available on GitHub. This ensures that other developers can contribute, adapt, or enhance the platform for different regions or use cases.
We will actively maintain the repository, providing clear documentation and encouraging collaboration from both the Cardano community and public-sector institutions interested in adopting the solution. This open-source approach will drive innovation, expand the platform’s adoption, and help it evolve into a widely-used governance tool for tax management.
[METADATA] Horizons
Infrastructure
[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution
The problem we are solving is the inefficiency, lack of transparency, and manual errors in the current business tax registration and management processes. Businesses often face difficulties in navigating bureaucratic tax systems, and tax authorities are overwhelmed with managing filings and ensuring compliance. This leads to delayed payments, fraud, and lack of trust in the system.
We are addressing this problem by creating a decentralized platform that uses Cardano smart contracts to automate and manage business tax registration, filings, and payments. This solution will be secure, transparent, and immutable, ensuring that businesses comply with tax regulations while making the process more efficient for both businesses and tax authorities.
Why This Approach?
- Automation of Tax Processes:
- By leveraging Cardano’s blockchain and smart contracts, we can automate tax registration and filing for businesses. Smart contracts will handle the entire process, from registration to tracking tax payments and deadlines, reducing human intervention and errors.
- Immutable and Tamper-Proof Records:
- Tax records will be stored on the blockchain, ensuring immutability and preventing tampering. This builds trust between businesses and tax authorities, as both parties can rely on verifiable records stored on a decentralized ledger.
- Real-Time Notifications:
- The platform will provide real-time notifications for businesses about tax obligations, due dates, and compliance requirements. This proactive approach ensures businesses stay up to date with their tax responsibilities and avoid penalties.
Engagement:
- Businesses: The platform simplifies the tax registration process and automates payments, making it easier for businesses to comply with tax laws. They will benefit from a more efficient system that reduces the time and effort spent on tax management.
- Tax Authorities: Tax authorities will have access to an automated system for managing tax records, which reduces administrative overhead, ensures compliance, and prevents tax fraud by making records tamper-proof.
- Cardano Community: Developers and blockchain enthusiasts will benefit from the open-source nature of the project, encouraging collaboration and further innovations in governance applications.
Impact:
We will measure our impact through both quantitative and qualitative metrics:
- Quantitative Metrics:
- Number of businesses registered on the platform.
- Reduction in the time required for tax registration and compliance.
- Percentage of timely tax filings and payments.
- Increase in the number of transactions on the Cardano network due to tax-related activities.
- Qualitative Metrics:
- User satisfaction surveys from businesses and tax authorities to assess the ease of use and efficiency of the platform.
- Feedback from tax authorities on how the system has reduced administrative burdens and improved transparency.
Uniqueness of the Solution:
The uniqueness of this solution lies in the decentralized nature of tax registration and management. Unlike traditional systems, which rely on centralized databases and manual processes, our solution ensures that tax data is securely stored and tax processes are automated using smart contracts. This provides a level of transparency, efficiency, and security that traditional systems cannot match.
By deploying this solution on Cardano, we demonstrate the power of blockchain in improving public administration and governance. This is an important use case for Cardano as it highlights the versatility of the blockchain beyond financial services and positions Cardano as a leader in governance applications.
Who Will Benefit:
- Businesses: Simplified tax processes and reduced administrative burden.
- Tax Authorities: More efficient tax management and compliance enforcement.
- Cardano Ecosystem: Enhanced adoption of Cardano for real-world governance solutions.
The combination of Cardano’s secure blockchain, the automation potential of smart contracts, and the need for transparent governance makes this project a significant contribution to both the Cardano ecosystem and the public sector. It will provide a repeatable model for other governance applications, ensuring long-term value for the Cardano community.
[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
Positive Impact on the Cardano Community:
The Tax Registration and Management Platform will have a transformative impact on the Cardano community by showcasing how blockchain technology can be applied to governance and public services. This project demonstrates how Cardano’s smart contracts can be used to automate business tax processes, making tax systems more efficient, transparent, and secure. Here’s how it will benefit the Cardano community:
- Increased Cardano Adoption in Governance:
- The success of this project will position Cardano as a leading blockchain for public governance applications. By demonstrating how blockchain can automate and streamline tax compliance, we can inspire governments and public institutions to adopt Cardano for other use cases, such as identity management, voting systems, and public records.
- Improved Ecosystem Visibility:
- As businesses and tax authorities adopt the platform, the number of transactions on the Cardano blockchain will increase, improving the network's visibility and usage. This will demonstrate the scalability and reliability of the Cardano blockchain in supporting real-world applications.
- Open-Source Contribution:
- The platform’s open-source nature will allow the Cardano developer community to benefit from and contribute to the project. Developers will be able to build upon the smart contracts and dApp, leading to further innovation and the creation of more governance-focused decentralized applications (dApps) within the ecosystem.
- Showcase of Blockchain Use Beyond Finance:
- By solving a real-world problem in tax management, the project will highlight Cardano’s capability to drive blockchain adoption in sectors beyond financial services, encouraging other industries and public institutions to explore similar solutions.
Measuring Impact:
We will measure the project’s success through both quantitative and qualitative metrics:
Quantitative Metrics:
- Number of businesses registered: The number of businesses that register for tax compliance through the platform will provide a direct measure of adoption.
- Reduction in tax compliance times: We will measure the reduction in time for tax registration and filing compared to traditional systems.
- Percentage of timely tax filings and payments: We will track how automation improves timely tax payments and compliance rates.
- Increase in blockchain transactions: The platform’s activities will drive more transactions on the Cardano blockchain, which will be measured to reflect ecosystem usage.
Qualitative Metrics:
- User satisfaction: We will conduct surveys and gather feedback from both businesses and tax authorities to assess how the platform improves efficiency, reduces manual processes, and simplifies compliance.
- Government and Institutional Feedback: We will engage with tax authorities and public institutions to gather insights into how the platform impacts their operations, enhances transparency, and reduces fraud.
Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:
- Open-Source Repository:
- The smart contracts, dApp code, and relevant documentation will be made available in an open-source repository on GitHub under the MIT License. This allows the Cardano developer community to use, modify, and contribute to the platform, encouraging further development of governance-focused dApps.
- Community Engagement:
- We will share regular updates with the Cardano community through Catalyst Town Halls, Discord, and Telegram channels. These updates will include progress reports, feedback gathered during pilot testing, and opportunities for the community to contribute to the project.
- Knowledge Sharing:
- We will create educational materials, including blogs, video tutorials, and webinars, to explain the platform’s benefits and how it can be adapted for other use cases. This will help developers and public institutions understand how to leverage Cardano for governance applications.
- Impact Reports:
- We will publish detailed impact reports outlining key metrics, such as adoption rates, transaction volumes, and user feedback. These reports will demonstrate the platform’s success and showcase the value it brings to the Cardano ecosystem.
Long-Term Value for Cardano:
By developing a decentralized, secure, and transparent platform for business tax management, this project will demonstrate the broader potential of Cardano for public-sector applications. The positive impact will not only boost adoption of the blockchain but also position Cardano as a leading platform for governance solutions, driving long-term growth and sustainability within the ecosystem.
[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?
Team’s Capability:
Our team has a proven track record in blockchain development, smart contract design, and decentralized application (dApp) creation, which uniquely positions us to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability. Below are the key capabilities that demonstrate our ability to execute the project successfully:
- Blockchain Development Expertise:
- Our team consists of experienced developers who have built and deployed smart contracts on Cardano, Ethereum, and other blockchain platforms. We have extensive experience with Plutus, Cardano's smart contract language, which is critical for implementing tax registration and management systems securely and efficiently.
- dApp Development Experience:
- We have successfully developed decentralized applications (dApps) in various sectors, including finance and public governance. Our knowledge of full-stack development ensures that the platform’s frontend (used by businesses and tax authorities) is user-friendly and seamlessly integrates with the underlying blockchain-based infrastructure.
- Legal and Regulatory Understanding:
- We have legal consultants on our team who are knowledgeable about tax regulations and compliance requirements. This expertise ensures that the platform aligns with existing tax laws and provides a legally compliant solution for businesses and tax authorities.
- Project Management Experience:
- Our project manager has extensive experience leading blockchain and decentralized projects, ensuring that all milestones are met on time and within budget. We have implemented milestone-based project management in the past, allowing us to deliver high-quality outcomes with clear accountability at each stage.
Steps to Validate Feasibility:
- Technical Feasibility:
- We will validate our approach by conducting an initial proof-of-concept phase, where we will deploy the tax registration smart contracts on the Cardano testnet. This phase will demonstrate the platform's ability to handle registration, filings, and tax payments in a secure and efficient manner.
- Smart contracts will be thoroughly audited to ensure that they operate as expected without vulnerabilities. We will engage third-party blockchain security firms to conduct audits and validate the platform’s security.
- Partnership with Tax Authorities:
- We have already started engaging with local tax authorities to test the feasibility of the platform in a pilot phase. These partnerships will allow us to gather real-world feedback and validate the platform's effectiveness for both businesses and tax authorities.
- Community Engagement:
- Since the platform will be open-source, we will collaborate with the Cardano developer community to gather feedback and contributions during the development phase. This approach ensures transparency and allows us to validate the feasibility of the platform with input from blockchain experts and the wider Cardano community.
Trust and Accountability in Fund Management:
- Multi-Signature Wallets for Fund Management:
- To ensure that funds are managed transparently and securely, we will use a multi-signature wallet for project funds. This wallet setup will require multiple key stakeholders to approve any transactions, ensuring that no single individual can unilaterally access or use project funds.
- Milestone-Based Fund Release:
- We will follow a milestone-based funding approach, where funds are only released once specific, verifiable milestones are achieved. Each milestone will have clear deliverables, such as functional smart contracts, dApp development, or pilot deployment, ensuring that funding is directly tied to progress and outputs.
- Transparent Financial Reporting:
- We will provide monthly financial reports to the Cardano community, detailing how funds are being spent and ensuring full accountability. These reports will be shared publicly and will include detailed breakdowns of expenses, allowing the community to track the proper use of funds throughout the project.
- External Audits:
- We will conduct external financial audits at the end of the project to confirm that all funds have been managed properly and in accordance with the project’s objectives. The results of the audit will be shared with the community to demonstrate our commitment to transparency and accountability.
[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?
Research and Smart Contract Development (Months 1-2)
A. Milestone Outputs:
- Conduct research on regulatory requirements for tax registration and management.
- Design the technical architecture for the platform, including the smart contracts for tax registration, automated filings, and tax payments.
- Develop and deploy the initial smart contract prototype on Cardano's testnet for early validation.
B. Acceptance Criteria:
- Completion of regulatory research and design documentation.
- Working prototype of the tax registration smart contract deployed on the testnet.
- Documentation of successful smart contract transactions and initial feedback from developers.
C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:
- Smart contract code and research documentation uploaded to GitHub.
- Transactions on the Cardano testnet demonstrating tax registration functionality.
- Feedback from the Cardano community through testnet interactions.
Full dApp Development and Pilot Testing (Months 3-5)
A. Milestone Outputs:
- Develop the decentralized application (dApp) frontend and backend for businesses and tax authorities to interact with the system.
- Integrate the smart contracts with the dApp to create a seamless user experience for tax registration and management.
- Launch the platform for pilot testing with select tax authorities and businesses.
B. Acceptance Criteria:
- Completed and tested dApp with a user-friendly interface for tax registration, filing, and payments.
- Smart contracts integrated with the dApp, allowing users to register businesses and process tax filings.
- Pilot program launched, with feedback from participating businesses and tax authorities.
C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:
- dApp code and user interface uploaded to GitHub.
- Pilot feedback report summarizing the results of the test, including user satisfaction and areas for improvement.
- Documented transactions and interactions on the testnet showing successful tax filings.
Security Audits and Mainnet Deployment (Months 6-8)
A. Milestone Outputs:
- Conduct third-party security audits on the smart contracts and dApp to ensure that the system is secure from vulnerabilities.
- Implement any necessary changes based on audit feedback.
- Deploy the platform to the Cardano mainnet, making it accessible for real-world use.
B. Acceptance Criteria:
- Successful completion of the external security audit with no critical vulnerabilities.
- Deployment of the fully functional platform on the Cardano mainnet for public use.
- Final tests confirming that the system handles tax registrations, filings, and payments correctly and securely.
C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:
- Audit report from third-party security experts, confirming that the platform is secure.
- Mainnet deployment records showing successful transactions and registrations.
- Documentation of post-audit improvements and updates made to the platform.
Project Close-Out Report and Final Video (Month 9)
A. Milestone Outputs:
- Create a detailed Project Close-Out Report, summarizing the project’s progress, successes, challenges, and future opportunities.
- Produce a video presentation showcasing the platform, its features, and its impact on businesses and tax authorities.
- Maintain the open-source repository, allowing other developers to build on and adapt the platform for further use.
B. Acceptance Criteria:
- Comprehensive report documenting the project’s outcomes, including metrics like user adoption, transaction volume, and feedback from businesses and tax authorities.
- Final video produced and shared with the Cardano community, demonstrating the platform's capabilities.
- Open-source repository published and maintained for future development and contributions.
C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:
- Published Project Close-Out Report shared on GitHub and other community platforms.
- Final video presentation uploaded to YouTube or other social channels, and feedback gathered from viewers.
- Open-source codebase, documentation, and community contributions made accessible on GitHub.
[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?
Project Team and Roles:
- Hewan Samuel – Project Lead / Proposal Submitter
- Role: Hewan is responsible for overseeing the entire project, ensuring that milestones are met and that communication between team members, stakeholders, and the Cardano community remains effective. Hewan will also manage reporting and overall project delivery.
- LinkedIn Profile: [LinkedIn Profile link]
- Responsibilities: Project management, fund allocation, timeline tracking, and community engagement.
- Smart Contract Developer
- Role: The blockchain developer will be in charge of designing, developing, and implementing the smart contracts that will handle tax registration, filing, and payments.
- LinkedIn Profile: [LinkedIn Profile link]
- Responsibilities: Smart contract development, integration with the Cardano blockchain, and ensuring secure deployment on both testnet and mainnet.
- dApp Developer
- Role: The full-stack developer will build the decentralized application (dApp) frontend and backend, allowing businesses and tax authorities to interact with the platform.
- LinkedIn Profile: [LinkedIn Profile link]
- Responsibilities: Develop the user-friendly interface for the dApp, integrate it with smart contracts, and ensure smooth functionality for both mobile and web users.
- – Regulatory Compliance and Legal Consultant
- Role: The legal advisor will ensure that the platform aligns with tax regulations and laws in various jurisdictions. They will also advise on data protection and compliance with privacy regulations.
- LinkedIn Profile: [LinkedIn Profile link]
- Responsibilities: Research and advise on regulatory and compliance requirements for tax systems. Ensure the platform meets legal standards.
- Blockchain Security Auditor
- Role: The security specialist will conduct audits on the smart contracts and overall system to ensure there are no vulnerabilities.
- LinkedIn Profile: [LinkedIn Profile link]
- Responsibilities: Smart contract security auditing, vulnerability assessment, and post-deployment security testing.
- User Engagement and Feedback Coordinator
- Role: The community manager will handle communication with the Cardano and tax authority communities, gathering feedback and ensuring smooth onboarding for businesses and tax authorities using the platform.
- LinkedIn Profile: [LinkedIn Profile link]
- Responsibilities: Community outreach, social media engagement, and user support. Ensuring the platform receives valuable feedback and engages with stakeholders effectively.
Planned Recruitment
- UI/UX Designer
- Role: Will design a clean and intuitive user interface for the dApp to ensure ease of use for business owners and tax officials.
- Skills Required: Expertise in user-centered design, proficiency in dApp user experience and interface design, and experience in building blockchain applications.
- Marketing and Communications Specialist
- Role: To drive adoption of the platform through marketing campaigns targeting businesses and tax authorities.
- Skills Required: Experience in blockchain project promotion, content creation, and community outreach to drive awareness.
Team Engagement and Capacity Planning:
We have engaged with members of the Cardano developer community through Discord and Telegram channels. Additionally, we have initiated discussions with local tax authorities to secure partnerships for the pilot phase of the project. These early engagements ensure that the necessary stakeholders and technical resources will be available to support the project’s success.
[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Total Requested Funding: 70,000 ADA
Cost Breakdown by Milestone:
Milestone 1: Research and Smart Contract Development (Months 1-2)
Total Cost: 20,000 ADA
- Legal Research and Compliance: 5,000 ADA
- (Engage legal consultants to analyze tax regulations and ensure platform compliance with tax laws and data protection standards.)
- Smart Contract Design & Development: 10,000 ADA
- (Develop and test the initial smart contracts for tax registration, filing, and payments on the Cardano testnet.)
- Project Management: 3,000 ADA
- (Coordinate the development, ensure adherence to timelines, and manage communications between team members.)
- Community Engagement: 2,000 ADA
- (Set up community channels, gather initial feedback from users, and keep the Cardano community updated on progress.)
Milestone 2: Full dApp Development and Integration (Months 3-5)
Total Cost: 25,000 ADA
- dApp Frontend & Backend Development: 12,000 ADA
- (Develop the user interface and integrate it with smart contracts to allow businesses and tax authorities to interact with the platform seamlessly.)
- Security Audits: 5,000 ADA
- (Engage a third-party security firm to audit the smart contracts and dApp for any vulnerabilities.)
- Pilot Program and Testing: 5,000 ADA
- (Launch a pilot program in collaboration with tax authorities and businesses to test the system in a real-world environment.)
- Marketing and Awareness Campaign: 3,000 ADA
- (Promote the pilot to drive participation, gather feedback, and prepare for full platform deployment.)
Milestone 3: Mainnet Deployment and Final Security Audit (Months 6-8)
Total Cost: 15,000 ADA
- Mainnet Deployment: 7,000 ADA
- (Deploy the fully functional platform on the Cardano mainnet, ensuring that all features, including tax registration, payments, and filings, are live and operational.)
- Stress Testing and Performance Optimization: 3,000 ADA
- (Ensure the platform can handle increased transaction volumes, business registrations, and tax filings with no performance issues.)
- Final Security Audit: 5,000 ADA
- (Conduct a comprehensive security audit post-mainnet deployment to confirm that the platform is secure for public use.)
Milestone 4: Project Close-out and Reporting (Month 9)
Total Cost: 10,000 ADA
- Project Report and Video Documentation: 5,000 ADA
- (Create and publish a detailed final report summarizing project outcomes, including user metrics, lessons learned, and potential areas for expansion.)
- Final Marketing Push: 3,000 ADA
- (Promote the platform to attract more businesses and tax authorities post-launch. Engage with the Cardano community for broader adoption.)
- Open-Source Maintenance: 2,000 ADA
- (Maintain the open-source repository on GitHub, ensuring that the community can contribute to and expand upon the platform.)
Third-Party Products and Services:
- Legal Consulting: 5,000 ADA
- (Engage legal experts to guide compliance with tax regulations and ensure the platform adheres to relevant laws in different jurisdictions.)
- Security Audits: 10,000 ADA
- (Engage a reputable third-party security firm to conduct audits of the smart contracts and ensure the platform is secure from vulnerabilities before and after mainnet deployment.)
Publicity, Marketing, and Community Engagement:
- Marketing & Awareness Campaigns: 6,000 ADA
- (Promote the platform to businesses and tax authorities through social media, online forums, and outreach events.)
- Community Engagement and Feedback: 2,000 ADA
- (Engage the Cardano community to gather feedback, host discussions, and encourage contributions to the open-source codebase.)
Alternative Funding Sources:
If additional funding is required beyond the initial 70,000 ADA, we plan to explore partnerships with blockchain organizations focused on governance and public sector applications. We will also pursue collaborations with tax authorities interested in co-funding specific features or expanding the platform to meet their regional needs.
[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?
The Decentralized Tax Registration and Management project provides excellent value for money by using Cardano’s blockchain to streamline a critical aspect of public governance. The requested 70,000 ADA will create a transparent, secure, and scalable solution that benefits both businesses and tax authorities while also showcasing Cardano’s capacity for real-world applications beyond finance.
1. Strategic Impact on Cardano’s Ecosystem:
- Government and Institutional Adoption: This project demonstrates Cardano's potential to serve as a foundation for government and public sector solutions, driving institutional adoption. Once deployed, tax authorities will be able to manage business registration, tax compliance, and payments through a decentralized and tamper-proof system, positioning Cardano as a key enabler in public administration.
- Broader Use Cases for Cardano: Beyond finance, the success of this project will highlight how blockchain can enhance governance, legal compliance, and public services, encouraging further use cases such as voting systems, identity management, and public record-keeping on the Cardano blockchain.
2. Cost Justification Based on Industry Standards:
- Smart Contract Development Costs: The allocated 10,000 ADA for smart contract development is in line with current market rates for blockchain developers, who typically charge $75 to $150 USD per hour. This ensures that we can hire skilled developers to create secure, scalable, and efficient smart contracts that manage tax registration and payments.
- Security Audits: 10,000 ADA is budgeted for third-party security audits, which is essential for ensuring the platform’s security and preventing vulnerabilities. Given the sensitive nature of tax systems, this cost is critical to protecting user data and ensuring compliance with security standards.
- Legal Compliance: Allocating 5,000 ADA to legal consulting is necessary to ensure that the platform adheres to tax laws and regulations across different jurisdictions. Legal compliance is fundamental to the success of a tax management platform, and this investment ensures the system operates within the legal framework.
3. Efficient Use of Resources:
- Development and Testing Costs: By developing and testing the platform on Cardano’s testnet, we ensure that any potential issues are identified early, reducing future costs related to system fixes or updates. Additionally, the project leverages open-source contributions from the Cardano community, reducing the cost of ongoing maintenance and improvements.
- Low-Cost Marketing and Community Engagement: The marketing budget of 6,000 ADA is relatively low compared to the cost of launching a commercial product. However, it is sufficient for raising awareness among businesses and tax authorities, as the platform’s success relies on widespread adoption. Engaging the Cardano community and blockchain enthusiasts will drive further visibility, making this a cost-effective approach.
4. Scalability and Long-Term Benefits:
- Global Replicability: Once developed, this platform can be scaled and customized for different regions and tax authorities globally, without significant additional development costs. This ensures that the platform continues to provide value to the Cardano ecosystem by attracting more users and expanding its use case beyond the initial pilot.
- Open-Source Contribution: The platform’s open-source nature allows developers to contribute to and build upon the solution, enabling continuous innovation without the need for additional large-scale funding. This approach ensures long-term value for the Cardano community, with the potential for ongoing improvements and new features contributed by external developers.
5. Return on Investment for the Cardano Ecosystem:
- Increased Blockchain Adoption: As more businesses and tax authorities adopt the platform, the number of Cardano transactions related to tax filings, registrations, and payments will increase, further driving activity on the blockchain. This boosts Cardano’s visibility as a blockchain for governance and public services, attracting more developers and institutional users.
- Boost Cardano’s Global Reputation: Successfully implementing a decentralized tax system will position Cardano as a leader in blockchain for governance, making it an attractive choice for other governments and institutions looking to digitize and streamline their processes. This enhances Cardano’s reputation and adoption globally.