Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to provide and improve our tax preparation, accounting, and consulting services:

Personal Identification Information

• Full name, date of birth, and contact details (email, phone, address)
• Social Security Number (SSN) or Social Insurance Number (SIN) for tax filing purposes
• Government-issued ID numbers (driver's license, passport)
• Employment and income information (W-2, T4, 1099, T4A forms)
• Bank account details for direct deposit refunds

Financial Information

• Income statements, tax deductions, and expense records
• Business financial statements and bookkeeping records
• Investment and retirement account information
• Payment information for processing service fees (via Stripe or Razorpay)

Automatically Collected Information

• IP address, browser type, and device information
• Website usage data via cookies and analytics tools (Microsoft Clarity)
• Log files and session activity

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Tax Preparation & Filing: Preparing and filing federal, state, and provincial tax returns with the IRS, CRA, and other tax authorities
• Accounting Services: Providing bookkeeping, payroll, GST/HST filing, and financial advisory services
• Communication: Responding to inquiries, sending service updates, and providing customer support
• Payment Processing: Billing for services and processing payments securely
• Legal Compliance: Meeting legal, regulatory, and tax authority requirements
• Service Improvement: Analyzing website usage to improve user experience and optimize our services
• Marketing (with consent): Sending newsletters, promotions, or tax-related updates (you may opt out at any time)

3. How We Protect Your Information

We take data security seriously and implement industry-standard measures to protect your personal and financial information:

• Encryption: All sensitive data is encrypted during transmission using SSL/TLS protocols
• Secure Storage: Client files are stored on encrypted servers with restricted access
• Access Controls: Only authorized personnel have access to your information on a need-to-know basis
• Third-Party Security: Payment processors (Stripe, Razorpay) comply with PCI-DSS standards
• Regular Audits: We conduct periodic security reviews and updates to safeguard data

Note: While we implement robust security measures, no system is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute protection against unauthorized access or cyber threats.

4. Sharing Your Information with Third Parties

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. However, we may share your data in the following circumstances:

Tax Authorities & Government Agencies

• IRS (Internal Revenue Service), CRA (Canada Revenue Agency), and state/provincial tax departments
• Compliance with legal obligations, court orders, or regulatory requests

Service Providers

• Payment processors (Stripe, Razorpay) for secure billing and transaction processing
• Email and communication platforms (Resend, Twilio) for client notifications
• Analytics tools (Microsoft Clarity) for website performance monitoring
• Cloud storage providers with data encryption (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud)

Business Transfers or Mergers

If Tax Genius LLC is acquired, merged, or undergoes a business restructuring, your information may be transferred to the new entity under the same privacy protections.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, subpoena, or to protect our legal rights.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality and analyze usage:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and security
• Analytics Cookies: Microsoft Clarity tracks user behavior to improve site performance
• Preference Cookies: Store your country selection (US/CA) for a personalized experience

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings, but this may affect website functionality.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal and financial information for as long as necessary to:

• Fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy
• Comply with legal and tax record-keeping requirements (typically 7 years for tax documents)
• Resolve disputes or enforce agreements

After the retention period, we securely delete or anonymize your data unless required by law to retain it longer.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

Access and Correction Rights

• Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correct or update inaccurate or incomplete data

Data Portability

Request your data in a structured, commonly used format for transfer to another service provider.

Deletion Rights

Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal record-keeping requirements).

Opt-Out of Marketing

Unsubscribe from marketing emails by clicking the "unsubscribe" link or contacting us directly.

To exercise your rights, contact us at support@taxgeniusllc.com.

8. International Data Transfers (US-Canada)

Tax Genius LLC operates in both the United States and Canada. Your information may be transferred and stored in servers located in either country.

We comply with applicable data protection laws, including:

• PIPEDA (Canada): Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
• US Privacy Laws: State-specific regulations where applicable

By using our services, you consent to the transfer and processing of your data in these jurisdictions.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services (e.g., IRS, CRA, payment processors).

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. Please review their privacy policies before sharing any information.

10. Children's Privacy (Under 18)

Our services are not directed at individuals under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from minors.

If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected data from a minor, we will delete it promptly.

11. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or business operations.

Any updates will be posted on this page with a new "Effective Date" at the top.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact: