At The Tax Shack, your trust is our most valuable asset.  We understand that the information you share with us is highly personal, and we are committed to protecting it with the highest level of security and professional ethics.  This is our privacy and professional commitment to you.

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1. Accuracy and Audit Guarantee

We stand behind the quality of our work.  If an error is made on our part, we take full responsibility.

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• Corrections: We will file the necessary amended returns at no cost to you to correct our errors.

• Penalties & Interest: If an IRS or state penalty is assessed due to preparer error, we will resolve it by (1) making abatement requests and (2) paying the penalty and interest charges corresponding to our error directly to the agency.

• Audit Advocacy: If your return is selected for an audit or exam as a result of a preparer error, we provide support and representation at no cost to you.  If you are selected for any other reason, you will receive support according to the terms of your service package.

 

2. Our Security Standards

We treat your data with the same care we use for ourselves.

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• Encrypted Communication: We utilize industry-leading, 256-bit SSL encryption for data transmissions through our secure Client Portal.

• Secure Storage: Your digital records are stored on encrypted servers and any physical documentation is kept in a controlled environment with restricted access and security systems in place to ensure your privacy is maintained.

• No Unsecured Email: To protect your identity, we never request or send sensitive documents via standard email and reject emails received containing attachments.

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3. Use of Information (IRC Section 7216)

We strictly adhere to Internal Revenue Code Section 7216, which prohibits us from disclosing your tax return information to third parties without specific, written consent.

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• Internal Use Only: We only use your information to provide the tax and business services you have engaged us for.

• No Data Sales: We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third-party marketers or insurance companies.

• Unauthorized Use: If you ever believe your tax return information has been used improperly in a manner unauthorized by law, you may contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484 or complaints@tigta.treas.gov.

 

4. Third-Party Technology Providers

To provide our high-level services, we use a tiered professional technology stack designed for both precision and security.  All third-party providers are vetted for their rigorous security protocols and are granted access only to the data necessary to perform their specific functions.

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• Professional Accounting & Tax Software: We use industry-standard desktop software to ensure maximum data control.  These systems connect to secure servers for real-time updates and legislative accuracy.

• Secure Practice Management: We utilize a dedicated, cloud-based practice management system.  This serves as your primary encrypted portal and gateway for electronic communication, document exchange, and signature capture.

• Redundant Off-Site Backups: To ensure your data is never lost due to hardware failure, we use a professional-grade encrypted cloud-backup service that protects your records 24/7.

 

5. Financial Service Partners

To ensure the security of your financial transactions and the sustainability of our practice, we partner with specialized third-party providers.  All financial partners are vetted for compliance with data protection standards to ensure your billing information remains confidential.

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• Merchant Processing: We use secure, industry-standard merchant processors to handle all credit card and electronic payments.  We do not store your full credit card numbers or sensitive bank login credentials in our office.

• Account Management: In the event of long-term overdue balances, we may share necessary information with professional legal or collections services to resolve outstanding accounts.

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