Privacy Policy & Legal Information

Your privacy is important to us. We value your right to maintain confidentiality and avoid solicitations. Below, we have provided detailed explanations of our privacy policies, how we use your data and personal information, and other legal information about this website. Please continue reading to learn how we handle your information.

What Personal Data We Collect and Why We Collect It

When site visitors comment, US Tax Help collects (1) the data displayed on the comments form, and (2) the visitor’s browser user string agent and IP address. We use this data to detect spam more efficiently.

If you use Gravatar, you may receive a “hash,” which is an anonymized string of characters created with your email address. To view the Gravatar privacy policy, see automatic (dot) com (slash) privacy..

If your comment is approved, your profile picture will be publicly displayed.

Media

Please avoid uploading images with embedded location data, such as EXIF GPS, to this website. You are free to download and extract location data from images that are displayed on this site.

Cookies

You can opt in to saving your information, including your name and email address, using cookies if you post a comment on the website. This conveniently eliminates the need to re-enter your information the next time you post a comment on the site. Cookies are valid for a period of one year.

If you log into the site with a user account, we will use temporary cookies, which evaluate whether your current browser is configured to accept cookies. Temporary cookies, which do not store your personal data, are eliminated once you close your browser.

We also create cookies to store your login information and save screen display choices for returning users. Login cookies are valid for a period of two days, while screen options cookies are valid for a full year. Selecting the “Remember Me” option will save your login data for a period of two weeks. Login cookies will be removed once you log out of your user account.

Another cookie will be saved to your browser if you revise or publish content to the site. This cookie, which only lasts for one day, merely reflects the post ID of the edited content without containing any of your personal information.

Embedded Content from Other Websites

Content on this website may include various types of embedded content, such as articles, images, or video files. This content functions as though the visitor has been to the other site. Be advised that these sites can collect your data, utilize cookies, embed third-party tracking functions, and monitor your behavior while visiting the embedded content, such as your interactions with the embedded content if you are logged in through a user account.

Analytics

As noted below, we may gather your personal data from various third parties, including ad networks, analytics providers, and/or payment processing services. Additionally, we may process and collect data concerning your usage of our site and services, such as your operating system. We collect usage data using analytics tracking systems. See our section on usage data below for more information.

Who We Share Your Data With

We do not provide any nonpublic personal information regarding our current or former clients to our affiliates, nor do we supply such information to nonaffiliated third parties, except as permitted by law, the Code of Professional Conduct of the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA), and Ethics Rulings of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

As permitted by law, our Code of Professional Conduct, and Ethics Rulings of AICPA, nonpublic personal information concerning you and previous clients may be disclosed to our affiliates, as well as nonaffiliated third parties, as follows: complying with a valid and enforceable summons or subpoena; during the course of a review of our practices under the Oregon or California State Boards of Accountancy’s authorization; initiating a complaint or responding to an inquiry by the Professional Conduct Committee of the OSCPA, the ethics division or trial board of the AICPA, or a duly constituted investigative or disciplinary body of another State CPA Society or Board of Accountancy; a review of a professional practice regarding the potential sale, merger, or purchase of all or part of our practice, provided we engage in appropriate precautions (such as use of written confidentiality agreements) to prevent disclosure by the prospective purchaser of information obtained during the review; engaging in actual or threatened legal proceedings or alternative dispute resolution (ADR), whether initiated against us or by us, provided we supply only the information needed to file, pursue, or defend against the suit and take reasonable measures to ensure that such information does not become part of the public record; supplying information to firm affiliates and nonaffiliated third parties which perform functions or services for us in accordance with a contractual agreement prohibiting the third party or affiliate from utilizing or disclosing the information, other than for the reasons for disclosure of the information, such as utilizing an outside service bureau to process client tax returns, or storing client records with a records-retention service.

General Restrictions on Disclosure of Nonpublic Personal Information to Affiliates and Nonaffiliated Third Parties

There is also some additional information you should be aware of regarding general restrictions on the disclosure of nonpublic personal information to affiliates and nonaffiliated parties. Section 7216 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) prohibits us, as a tax preparation service provider, from sharing your income tax return information unless we obtain your consent to do so, except with regard to the specific purposes of preparing, helping to prepare, or obtaining and rendering services in connection with preparation of your income tax return.

Additionally, because we are an OSCPA member that offers income tax preparation or financial planning, we generally may not disclose your confidential client information to affiliates or nonaffiliated third parties unless we receive your consent to do so. There are, however, exceptions to this general rule, which are discussed in the section on parties to whom we disclose information above.

Confidentiality and Security of Nonpublic Personal Information

We limit access to your nonpublic personal information, restricting such access only to employees and other parties who require such information in order to provide you with tax preparation and financial planning services. There are various limitations on their right to further use and disclose such information, such as limitations imposed by pertinent laws; our Code of Professional Conduct; where applicable, our employee code of conduct; and, where appropriate, various nondisclosure agreements (NDAs). Additionally, complying with the pertinent laws and regulations protecting your nonpublic personal information, we utilize various procedural, electronic, and physical safeguards.

At US Tax Help, we understand your privacy concerns. We provide a secure client portal, which allows for the secure exchange of documents and electronic communications. While many clients feel confident using our secure client portal, which we offer in partnership with Smart Vault, others prefer to learn more information prior to submitting sensitive documentation.

Smart Vault, our partner and client portal solution provider, is a stable and reputable entity which has been providing this service to various accountants and tax professionals since 2008. Of course, online technology has undergone fast-paced development in the intervening years. A company with the agility and infrastructure to navigate these shifting financial and technological waters is a company you can depend on to keep your data protected – not only today, but into the future.

Data Retention

Regardless of the reason for which it is processed, your personal data will not be retained for any longer than necessary to satisfy the purpose of its collection, or to satisfy accounting purposes or legal purposes.

How Long We Retain Your Data

Any comments you leave on the website, along with its metadata, will be stored indefinitely. This enables us to automatically detect and approve additional comments, rather than processing them through a moderation queue.

If you are a registered site user, we will also retain the data supplied in your user profile. However, you are free to view, update, or delete your information, except for your chosen username, at any time of your choosing. Be advised that site administrators also have the authority to view and edit your information.

What Rights You Have Over Your Data

If you (1) have commented on the website or (2) have a user account, you may request that we export and provide you with a file containing the personal data that we have stored, including any data you may have personally provided. Additionally, you have the right to request erasure of your personal information. However, this excludes any data we must retain for legal, administrative, or security purposes.

You also have various rights under data protection laws. For example, you have the right to access your data, delete your data, correct your data, limit your data, and/or object to our using and processing your data, including the right to data portability. You also have the right to confirm how and where we process your information. Further, you have the right to withdraw at a time of your choosing, to the extent that the legal basis for our processing consent.

Where We Send Your Data

The site utilizes an automated spam detection feature to review visitor comments.

Types of Information We Collect

We collect non-public (private) personal data, which is either supplied by you to us, or which we obtain after you authorize us to prepare your income tax returns and/or provide you with financial planning services. Types of personal data that we collect include but are not limited to your name, in addition to your email address, which is utilized for purposes of newsletter subscription, receiving content, survey participation, and/or the purchase of various services.

There are several methods by which we gather data. For example, we collect data directly from you when you buy services, complete forms, or use social media platforms or email services to communicate with us. In addition, we collect information from you when you visit and use our site. Your data may be gathered from various third parties, including analytics providers, advertising networks, and/or payment processing services.

We store your data in a secure platform. We utilize your data for processing, either as described below or for a reasonably compatible purpose.

Usage Data

We may process data regarding your utilization of our services and/or website, potentially including the following information: your browser type, your geographical location, your IP address, your operating system, the pages you view, the paths you follow when navigating to various areas of our website, and the pattern and/or frequency with which you use the website. We collect this data utilizing analytics tracking systems. The data is used for purposes of providing you with pertinent content and advertisements, evaluating use of our site, and ultimately, better understanding our site users. Our legitimate interest serves as legal basis for processing, namely monitoring and identifying ways to improve our services, website, and marketing efforts.

User Data

We may process your personal information, including but not limited to your name, your email address, your personal preferences, your geographical information, and other data which you supply in order to participate in surveys and/or subscribe to newsletters, free content, and/or email notifications, participate in surveys. We may also process communication data received from you via email, social media, or other ways of communicating and/or posting information.

We process this data in order to provide you with relevant content, communicate with you, and deliver content, marketing, and/or email messages to you. The legal basis for this process is consent, or our legitimate interests, namely to support the growth of our business and maintain records which may be necessary to defend, or pursue, various legal actions.

Customer Data

We will receive, and store, various pieces of personal information that you supply to us during the process of registering for our service, either via email or our website. Examples of this information may include, but are not limited to, your name, date of birth, gender, home address, phone number, email address, Social Security number (SSN), marital status, profession or occupation, and related or similar items of preference data which you supply us with. While it is your decision whether you wish to provide us with such information, please be advised that, due to the nature of the service we provide, we cannot provide such service without receiving such information.

We process data in order to provide you with services, in addition to marketing other pertinent products and services to you. The legal basis for processing is consent, and your affirmative action to enter such contract with us and/or the delivery and purchase of the contract between you and us.

Examples of Sources from Which We Collect Information

We collect information from various sources, including financial history questionnaires, financial planning organizers, interviews with clients, and tax return organizers.

We obtain your information in order to properly prepare your personal income tax returns or provide financial planning services. We collect your information using various methods and formats, including via phone, via mail, via written forms, online, or during the interviews and consultations we conduct. In addition, we may collect information from additional sources once we have obtained your authorization.

Transaction Information

Your transaction information encompasses the information needed to complete billing and payment processing for the financial planning and tax preparation services we provide, as well as any correspondence you engage in with us. Transaction information also extends to your payment history with us, including billing records as well as any collection efforts undertaken by us to obtain payment for the services we provided to you.

Your Data is Encrypted and Stored in a Secured Data Center

All client data submitted through the web portal is fully encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. SSL technology essentially scrambles the data you send over the Internet by utilizing a secured link between you and the data center. SSL security means that hackers and scammers cannot intercept and read your communications.

Some more technical readers may wonder what happens to the data once it reaches the data center. At the CyrusOne, in Houston, Texas both physical and technological security measures are in place to protect your data. As for physical security measures, the company utilizes physical barriers, video surveillance, and a professional security staff as part of its efforts to protect your data. Furthermore, all data, including backups, is also encrypted. In fact, All documents stored in the Smart Vault data center are encrypted using AES-256. AES-256 is essentially unbreakable encryption based on current and foreseeable computing power.

Smart Vault is PCI, FINRA, and Gramm-Leach-Bliley Compliant

As such, the client portal used by U.S. Tax Help is Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS). This is the level of security used by major credit card companies to secure their data. As such, your data should be secure and you should not worry that it will be intercepted or downloaded without your permission.

Furthermore, while Smart Vault is not a financial institution, the company has implemented financial industry grade security processes and procedures that make it a GLBA compliant solution. Client portal features that are required to achieve this high level of security include:

• SSAE 16 Data Center– SSAE 16 data centers are highly secured facilities where your data is guarded around the clock by an array of security measures.
• Encryption of all data – Data is always encrypted using state of the art encryption technology. Data is encrypted when it is being transferred and when it is at rest being stored.
• Robust privacy policy – We recognize that your data is your property. Therefore, U.S. Tax Help selected a client portal partner with a robust privacy policy that promises to never sell, rent, or share your personal data.
• Access via authenticated logins – All activity requires the user to log-in to his or her password-secured
• Activity logs and granular access – The system has the ability to grant specific levels of access to only certain files. Furthermore, all actions on the system are fully logged so there is a record of all activity.

The Smart Vault client portal is also FINRA compliant under Regulation 4370 (c)(1). Essentially, when you work with us, you will use the same technologies major banks, credit card companies, and financial institutions use to secure their data.

What Is My Role in Protecting My Account?

It is important to note that every person plays a key role in securing their account and this responsibility should not be taken lightly. Like one protects paper financial records, every user of a client portal has certain personal responsibilities to secure their account. This includes selecting a robust password and keeping that password a secret. Furthermore, users should use a unique password so that security breaches at less secure sites cannot be used to gain access to your account. Essentially, if you have any doubt about providing your credentials to a third-party, do not do it. Smart Vault employees will NEVER ask for your password.

At U.S. Tax Help, we offer our client portal because we believe that it is the most effective way to communicate with our clients and protect their sensitive documents and submissions. While the system is also extremely convenient, our foremost concern in selecting this solution is the security and integrity of your data. If you have any further questions regarding the safety, security, or usage of an online client portal, simply call U.S. Tax Help at (541) 923-0903 to discuss how you can make the client portal work for you.

Third-Party Links

The Site contains links to third party websites and resources. You acknowledge and agree that we are not responsible or liable for the availability, accuracy, content or policies of third party websites or resources. Links to such websites or resources do not imply an endorsement by or affiliation with the Company. You acknowledge sole responsibility for and assume all risk arising from your use of any such websites or resources.

International Users

Our services are hosted on servers located in the United States, and we may also use service providers located in the United States to bring you our products and services. If you access and/or submit information to our Website and Services from outside the United States, you consent to the transfer of your personal information to the United States. In addition, your data may be transferred to other countries and by using the Website, you consent to the transfer of information to countries outside your country of residence.

If you are located in the European Union, we may store and share your personal data with companies located outside of the European Economic Area. We will always do our best to ensure security of your data. We aim to use US-based providers that are part of the EU-US Privacy Shield. Please be aware that the laws in the United States may not provide the same level of protection to your personal information as your home country.

If you are accessing our products or services from the European Union, you have certain rights regarding the processing of your personal data. For instance, if the information you provide contains special categories of personal data, we will only process it with your explicit consent, which can be withdrawn at any time. You have the following additional rights:

• You have the right to access and correct your information.
• You have the right to obtain erasure of your information, object to or restrict processing activities related to your information, or withdraw your consent to the processing of your information after you have provided it.
• You have the right to obtain a copy of your information in a structured, commonly used, machine readable format.
• You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority regarding our processing of your information.

To exercise your rights, or if you otherwise have questions about the processing of your personal data, you may contact us at [email protected].

Your Rights

For detailed information about your rights, see the section discussing what rights you have over your data above.

Your Contact Information

Additional Information

Additional information about how we protect your data, our data breach procedures, and other topics is provided below.

How We Protect Your Data

What Data Breach Procedures We Have in Place

What Third Parties We Receive Data From

What Automated Decision Making and/or Profiling We Do with User Data

Industry Regulatory Disclosure Requirements

Legal Information

Visitors to this website should be advised of the following information:

• US Tax Help utilizes third party software called an “Intermediate Service Provider.”
• US Tax Help uses an Intermediate Service Provider to access IRS records. The terminology provided by Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) is as follows: “Access my IRS records via an Intermediate Service Provider” (see Section 5a).
• US Tax Help utilizes third party software to download IRS transcripts.
• US Tax Help uses software to (1) file your tax returns and (2) access your IRS records.

Moreover, the information on this website is intended for general guidance exclusively on matters of interest. Additionally, all information offered during the “Ask a CPA” or “Free Consultation” is solely for the purpose of determining whether US Tax Help can provide tax support for your matter. Only upon mutual agreement to an Engagement Letter, to be entered by both parties, does a professional relationship exist between the taxpayer and US Tax Help.

The applications and effects of tax laws can range depending on the circumstances of each case. Due to legislative changes, changes to tax rules and regulations, and potential risks of electronic communication, information contained on this site may be delayed or contain omissions or inaccuracies. Therefore, information on this site is offered with the understanding that publishers and authors are not engaged in providing professional advice or services, including accounting services, tax services, or legal services. The information presented on this site is not intended to substitute a personal consultation with a legal, accounting, or tax professional, nor with other competent advisors.

Before proceeding with an action or decision, you should discuss your tax issue with a professional advisor, such as a certified public accountant (CPA). While US Tax Help makes efforts to ensure that the content on this website is based on reputable and trusted sources, Theodore Kleinman, CPA, is not responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions, nor for consequences resulting from use of the information contained on this site.

All information is supplied on an “as-is” basis. Likewise, US Tax Help does not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness, nor the results from utilization of the information. The information on this site is also provided without any express or implied warranty, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, performance, and fitness for a certain purpose. Under no circumstances will Theodore Kleinman, CPA, its related corporations or partnerships, or the employees, agents, or partners of such corporations or partnerships, be liable to you or to other parties for any actions or decisions based on the information contained on this site, nor for any special, consequential, or similar damages, even if advised of the potential for such damages.

Certain links contained on this site are connected to other websites, which are maintained by third parties that Theodore Kleinman, CPA, does not control. Theodore Kleinman, CPA makes no representations regarding the accuracy, or any other component, of the information supplied on external websites.

Licensing

Licensed by the Oregon Board of Accountancy.