Privacy Statement

 

In the information sensitive business of tax preparation and financial planning, I place the highest level of importance on respecting and protecting the privacy of my clients and their financial information. I want you to feel comfortable and confident when you entrust your financial data to me for the purpose of completing your tax returns or financial plans. Therefore, I have outlined relevant practices designed to safeguard your personally identifiable information.

 

I limit the information I collect from you to only that which is necessary to complete your tax returns or plans as effectively as possible. Information is collected in the form of tax and wage forms and statements from employers and financial institutions, as well as from direct dialogue with you. I will not request your information from a third party without your prior consent, however it is often very efficient to do so, as I partner with many financial professionals in service to clients.

 

I do not rent or sell any client information. I do not share your financial information with anyone or any other business entity, except as required to effect the electronic transmission of your returns as you so authorize, or as required by law, or as you may specifically authorize me to coordinate service with your other financial professionals.

 

For the purposes of electronic filing, I employ the services of Intuit and Drake professional tax filing products. They are among the most trusted names in professional accounting and tax software, and are authorized by the Internal Revenue Service and all 50

states to transmit tax filing data per their specifications, over secure connections. I am an authorized Electronic Return Originator (ERO) in the jurisdictions where I may file returns.

 

In order to provide my tax service, I am required to retain copies of your tax returns, financial plans and supporting documentation. I utilize traditional safeguards as it pertains to my office, including locking of all filing cabinets containing hard copy files and encrypted electronic backups, and password protection of all computer based files. I do not collect or store data on my website other than name and email address of those who voluntarily subscribe. I do not utilize email or other electronic services to transmit any client data, except to the owner on request, utilizing SmartVault’s secure web site designed for such data transfers in a secure manner. I strongly recommend that clients do not put personally identifiable information in any kind of email, text message, or other electronic communications, as virtually none of them are secure. Clients often mail documents to me. I suggest using a tracking service to help ensure prompt and accurate delivery. If you suspect that your privacy has been compromised, particularly with respect to your financial information, you should take immediate action to limit your exposure.

 

Trust is the foundation of any successful professional service business. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns about the handling of your personal financial information or the protection of your privacy. I sincerely appreciate your business.