Tax Sense, a premier provider of tax services, accounting, and financial advisory services, is committed to ensuring the privacy and security of personal data provided to us. We understand that the trust of our clients, employees, contractors, and website users is paramount, and we are dedicated to keeping personal information secure in line with our legal obligations and best practices.
Founded with the goal of offering highly personalized and reliable financial services, Tax Sense is more than just a tax consultancy firm. We offer an array of services that range from tax preparation, financial planning, auditing, accounting, and consulting to both individuals and businesses. Our expertise ensures that each client’s unique needs are met with tailored advice, all while upholding the highest privacy standards.
Tax Sense values transparency, and this Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information. It will also provide you with the information necessary to make informed decisions about how we handle your data, ensuring compliance with privacy laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other applicable regulations.
We continually review and update this Privacy Policy to reflect any changes in our operations or the legal landscape. As we strive to deliver world-class services, we also aim to set a gold standard for privacy protection in the financial sector. We encourage you to read this policy carefully, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about how we handle your personal data.
At Tax Sense, we collect various types of personal information to provide our services effectively and efficiently. We use this information to deliver tailored financial advice, process transactions, comply with regulatory requirements, and improve the overall client experience. Below is an overview of the types of data we collect:
Personal Identification Data: This includes your full name, date of birth, residential address, and contact details, such as phone numbers and email addresses.
Financial Data: We collect detailed financial data, including income, expenditures, tax returns, bank account details, investment portfolios, retirement contributions, and tax liabilities. This data helps us provide accurate tax filing services and financial planning advice.
Sensitive Data: Tax Sense may collect sensitive information, such as Social Security Numbers (SSNs), Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs), and other personal identifiers required for tax filing and financial services.
Transaction Data: We collect information related to the services you purchase or the financial transactions you engage in through Tax Sense, such as payments made for our services, investments, or any other financial activity.
Behavioral and Interaction Data: We track interactions you have with our website or mobile app. This includes details like IP addresses, geolocation, browsing patterns, and session times. This data helps us personalize your experience and identify trends.
Employment Data (for employees or contractors): For employees, we maintain records such as employment history, performance evaluations, and payroll details.
Personal data is collected through various methods, such as:
Direct Interactions: When you submit forms, sign contracts, request services, or communicate with us directly via phone or email.
Automated Technologies: Through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies that track website usage, user interactions, and browsing patterns.
Third-Party Sources: Information that we gather from trusted third parties, such as public records, external databases, or government agencies.
It is crucial for Tax Sense to collect and process these categories of data to operate effectively and comply with financial and legal obligations. We assure you that we will only collect the minimum amount of personal data necessary to fulfill our services, and we will not use your data for any purpose beyond what is outlined in this policy.
This Privacy Policy applies to all personal data we collect, use, or process. It is intended to cover all interactions with Tax Sense, whether you are an individual seeking tax assistance, a business partner, or an employee. Whether you are using our services in person, via our website, or through other channels, this policy governs the collection, storage, and usage of your personal data.
This Privacy Policy also applies to third-party partners or contractors who work on behalf of Tax Sense. However, it does not apply to third-party websites, social media platforms, or any other external services linked to Tax Sense. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services that may interact with your personal data.
As a business, Tax Sense operates in multiple regions and may process personal data across different jurisdictions. If you are located outside of the United States or the European Union, you may be subject to different privacy laws. Tax Sense adheres to local laws and complies with international privacy regulations such as the GDPR, CCPA, and other similar laws.
This policy applies to personal data that Tax Sense collects for the following purposes:
Tax-related services: processing tax filings, financial reporting, and advice.
Employment-related data: for managing payroll, employee benefits, and other employment matters.
Website-related data: improving user experience and site functionality.
Business partner data: processing transactions and managing professional relationships.
Tax Sense processes your personal data based on the following legal grounds:
Contractual Necessity: In order to fulfill our contractual obligations, we may need to process your data. This includes processing your data to provide tax services, financial planning, or other related services based on a signed agreement.
Legitimate Interests: We may process personal data based on legitimate interests that align with the business needs of Tax Sense. For example, we may need to process data to maintain business operations or prevent fraud.
Consent: In certain circumstances, we will ask for your explicit consent to collect and process your data. This includes cases where we want to use your personal data for marketing purposes or share your information with third-party partners.
Legal Obligation: Tax Sense is required to process certain data to comply with legal obligations. For example, we must collect certain financial information to comply with tax laws and regulations.
The following are the types of personal data that Tax Sense collects and processes. These categories help us serve our clients effectively, ensure compliance, and maintain the quality of service.
Clients:
Personal Information: Name, address, contact details, social security number (SSN), taxpayer identification number (TIN), and other identifying information.
Financial Information: Bank account details, income, expenses, tax returns, financial statements, investment accounts, etc.
Sensitive Data: As required for tax filings and financial services, we may collect sensitive personal data such as your SSN, health-related information (in some cases), or financial account information.
Employees and Contractors:
Personal Information: Full name, address, phone number, email, emergency contacts, date of birth, and job title.
Employment and Payroll Data: Employment records, salary, tax withholding information, performance reviews, benefits, and retirement account information.
Sensitive Data: Employee health information or any other data required by law for benefits, such as disability status or protected classifications.
Website Visitors:
Interaction Data: Information related to website navigation, cookies, IP addresses, time spent on pages, search queries, device information, etc.
User Preferences: Data on how you prefer to interact with our website, which helps us personalize your experience.
Job Applicants:
Application Data: Resume details, job history, education, certifications, references, and other information related to the hiring process.
Communication History: Emails, interview notes, and other communications during the recruitment process.
Corporate Clients:
Business Information: Company name, business structure, financial information (such as annual revenue, tax filings), and legal contact information.
Tax and Financial Data: Tax filings, annual reports, and other financial documents necessary for providing advisory services.
Tax Sense collects personal data in several ways, both directly and indirectly, to ensure we have the necessary information to deliver our services efficiently. Below are the various methods we use to collect your data:
Direct Collection from Clients: We collect personal data directly from our clients through various means such as:
Forms and Applications: When clients sign up for our services, whether online or in-person, we ask for personal information such as names, contact details, and financial data.
Communications: Any correspondence or direct interactions, whether via email, phone, or in person, also allows us to collect personal details.
Online Portals: Clients may submit data directly through secure online portals provided by Tax Sense, where they can upload financial documents, tax information, and other relevant data.
Automatic Data Collection: Tax Sense may also collect certain types of information automatically when users interact with our website or app. This includes:
Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to track user behavior on our website. These technologies help us understand website traffic, enhance site functionality, and offer tailored user experiences. Cookies may also store user preferences to improve future interactions.
Log Data: When you visit our website, certain information is automatically collected and stored in log files. This includes your IP address, browser type, operating system, and the pages you visit. This data helps us monitor and optimize the website’s performance.
Location Data: We may also collect approximate location information based on your IP address or GPS data (if you access our services through a mobile device).
Third-Party Sources: We may receive data from third-party providers who assist us in offering our services. Examples include:
Public Databases: We may access public databases for verification or compliance purposes, such as checking the accuracy of financial data or confirming a client’s identity.
Business Partners: In some cases, we may receive personal data from business partners or subcontractors to fulfill our contractual obligations, such as when working with a partner to process financial transactions or complete tax filings.
Data Collection through Surveys and Marketing Campaigns: Occasionally, we may collect additional personal data through surveys or marketing initiatives. This data is used primarily to improve our services, understand client needs, and provide targeted marketing.
We ensure that any data we collect is obtained legally and transparently, with your knowledge and consent where necessary.
Tax Sense collects personal data for a variety of purposes. Below are the primary reasons for collecting your personal information:
Providing Financial and Tax Services:
Tax Filing and Preparation: We collect financial and personal information to complete tax returns, calculate liabilities, and provide tax-saving strategies for individuals and businesses.
Financial Planning: We use your financial data to assess your current financial situation and provide personalized financial advice that helps you meet your financial goals.
Audit and Compliance: If necessary, we assist clients with audit preparation and regulatory compliance. For this, we may collect and review sensitive financial data.
Investment Guidance: When providing investment advisory services, we use your financial situation, risk tolerance, and investment history to suggest strategies for building wealth.
Internal Business Operations:
Service Improvement: By collecting user interaction data, we can refine our offerings, improve our website’s usability, and enhance client satisfaction.
Customer Support: We may use your personal data to assist with any queries or issues you raise, ensuring that we provide timely and accurate solutions.
Account Management: We use your contact and financial data to maintain your account, process transactions, and manage billing, payments, and subscriptions.
Marketing and Communications:
Promotional Communications: With your consent, we may use your email address or phone number to send updates about new services, special offers, or other marketing communications that may interest you. You may opt out of these communications at any time.
Client Feedback: We may reach out to you for feedback on our services, as well as to participate in surveys that help us gauge customer satisfaction and improve our offerings.
Legal Compliance:
Tax Reporting and Documentation: We are obligated by law to collect, store, and share certain financial data with tax authorities for tax reporting and audit purposes. This includes compliance with tax regulations, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the U.S. or other regional tax authorities.
Prevention of Fraud and Financial Crimes: Your personal information may also be used to detect and prevent fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. This is necessary to meet legal requirements, including anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.
Legal Claims: In the event of legal disputes or claims, we may need to use your data to defend ourselves or comply with legal requests from governmental authorities.
Consent-Based Uses:
Third-Party Sharing: In certain instances, we may ask for your consent to share your personal information with third parties for purposes that are not covered by this policy. This could include collaborating with external business partners for joint ventures or other collaborations.
Non-Essential Marketing: If you agree to receive non-essential marketing communications, we may send you updates on promotions or services that are tailored to your interests.
Tax Sense takes your privacy seriously, and we are committed to storing your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. Retention periods vary depending on the type of data and the nature of the services we provide:
Tax and Financial Data: We retain personal and financial data for a minimum of seven years, as required by tax authorities for record-keeping and audit purposes. After this period, your data may be deleted unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
Client Communication and Service Records: Data related to your interactions with Tax Sense, such as email correspondence and service requests, is retained for up to five years unless you request earlier deletion.
Employee Data: We retain employment data for as long as you are employed with Tax Sense and for an additional period of time (typically 3-7 years) following termination or retirement. This ensures compliance with employment laws and regulations.
Website and Marketing Data: Information collected via our website or marketing campaigns is retained for a reasonable period, typically no longer than two years, unless it is linked to a longer-term business need.
Once data is no longer required for business or legal purposes, we take reasonable steps to ensure it is securely disposed of or anonymized. Personal data that is no longer necessary will be permanently deleted or anonymized.
At Tax Sense, we employ a variety of physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect the integrity and confidentiality of your personal data. These measures include:
Data Encryption: We use encryption protocols to protect sensitive data both during transmission (via SSL/TLS encryption) and while it is stored on our systems.
Access Control: Only authorized employees and contractors who require access to your personal data to perform their job functions are granted access. We implement strict access controls and use authentication mechanisms to ensure only legitimate personnel can access sensitive information.
Data Backup: We maintain secure data backup systems to ensure that your data is protected in the event of system failures, cyber-attacks, or natural disasters. Backups are encrypted and stored in secure offsite locations.
Secure Servers: Our servers are housed in secure data centers with physical and cybersecurity protections to prevent unauthorized access or attacks.
Employee Training: All employees are trained on privacy and data protection principles, ensuring that they understand the importance of safeguarding personal data and are aware of the procedures to follow if a data breach occurs.
Despite these efforts, it is important to note that no data transmission over the internet can be completely secure. Therefore, while we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data.
We may share your personal data with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business and delivering our services. These third parties are obligated to handle your data in accordance with this Privacy Policy and are prohibited from using your data for any purposes other than those specified by Tax Sense. Examples of third-party service providers we may work with include:
Payment Processors: To facilitate payment transactions for our services.
IT and Cloud Service Providers: For website hosting, data storage, and IT infrastructure services.
Legal and Accounting Advisors: We may share your data with our legal advisors and auditors to ensure compliance with regulations.
Marketing Agencies: With your consent, we may work with marketing agencies to manage promotional campaigns and analyze website performance
One of the most fundamental rights you have is the right to access your personal data. This allows you to know what information we hold about you and how it is being used. By exercising your right to access, you can request a detailed report of your personal data, including:
The types of data we collect.
The purposes for which the data is processed.
The categories of third parties to whom your data may be shared.
The retention period for your data.
The source of the data if it was not collected directly from you.
At Tax Sense, we strive to be as transparent as possible in our data practices. If you want to exercise your right to access your personal data, you can request it by contacting us through the methods outlined in this policy. Our team will then prepare a copy of your personal data and send it to you in a portable and understandable format.
However, we may limit access to certain data if it could potentially infringe on the rights of others, such as when disclosing third-party personal data would be a violation of their privacy. Also, if your request is excessive or unfounded, we reserve the right to charge a reasonable fee or refuse to process it.
Once your request has been received, we are legally obligated to respond within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30 days. In more complex cases, such as when a request involves large volumes of data, we may extend the response time to 60 days, and we will notify you of the delay.
The right to rectification ensures that the personal data we hold about you is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. You have the right to request corrections to any data that is incorrect, misleading, or outdated. This right extends to adding missing information if you believe that the personal data we hold is incomplete.
For instance, if you notice that your address, phone number, or email address is not accurate, you can contact us to have it corrected. Similarly, if we have incorrect information about your preferences or consent choices, you can request that we update or correct this.
We encourage all of our users to regularly review and update their personal data, especially when key information changes. By keeping your data current, you ensure that we can provide you with the best possible service and avoid any delays or errors in communication.
When you request rectification, we will assess the information in question and make necessary corrections. If we have shared the inaccurate data with third parties, we will inform them of the changes, provided it is possible and practical to do so. If we are unable to make the requested rectifications or updates, we will explain why in a clear and understandable manner.
The right to deletion, often referred to as the “right to be forgotten,” allows you to request that we erase your personal data from our systems. This right is particularly relevant when:
The personal data is no longer needed for the purposes for which it was collected.
You withdraw your consent to the processing of your data, and no other legal basis exists for continuing the processing.
You object to the processing of your data and we have no overriding legitimate interest in keeping it.
The data has been processed unlawfully.
For example, if you decide to close your account with Tax Sense, you may request that we delete all personal information we hold about you, provided that no legal obligations or contracts prevent us from doing so.
However, we must inform you that there are exceptions to the right to deletion. Tax Sense may not be able to erase certain data if it is required for legal or regulatory compliance, such as tax or financial records that need to be retained for a specific period of time as per local laws. In these cases, we will only retain the necessary data and cease further processing.
In any case, if we receive a valid request for deletion, we will act swiftly to erase your personal data and inform you of the actions we have taken. If we are unable to delete certain data due to legal restrictions, we will explain the specific reasons for this decision.
The right to restrict processing allows you to request that we limit the ways in which we use your personal data. This right applies in certain situations, including when:
You contest the accuracy of the data and are awaiting verification.
You have objected to the processing of your data and are awaiting our response.
The processing is unlawful and you prefer to restrict it rather than have the data deleted.
We no longer need the data for our original purposes, but you require it for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.
For example, if you believe we are processing your data unlawfully but do not want us to erase it yet, you may ask us to restrict the processing of that data while we investigate.
When you exercise this right, we will continue to store your data but will only process it under limited conditions, such as when required for legal purposes or with your consent. While the processing is restricted, we will ensure that your data is not used for marketing purposes or any other activities that are not necessary.
Once we have restricted processing, we will inform you if we plan to lift this restriction or resume normal processing.
The right to data portability allows you to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. This gives you the ability to transfer your data to another data controller (such as another service provider) with ease.
For example, if you want to move your data from Tax Sense to another provider, you can request a copy of your personal data in a CSV or Excel format. This enables you to port the data without having to re-enter it manually on another platform.
This right applies when:
The processing is based on your consent or the performance of a contract.
The data is processed by automated means (not by paper records).
Please note that the right to data portability does not apply in all cases. Specifically, it does not cover data processed for public interest or in the exercise of official authority, nor does it apply to personal data that has been anonymized.
You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data based on our legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes. If you object to the processing of your data, we will assess whether our legitimate interests override your objection. If they do, we may continue to process your data, but we will provide a clear explanation of our decision.
For example, if you no longer wish to receive marketing communications from Tax Sense, you can opt-out by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any email or by contacting our support team.
If you exercise your right to object to direct marketing, we will stop using your data for such purposes immediately, without needing to provide further justification.
If you object to other forms of processing (such as profiling or research), we will review the request and either cease the processing or explain why it is still necessary.
To exercise any of the rights mentioned above, you may contact us using the contact details provided at the end of this Privacy Policy. In your request, be sure to specify which right you would like to exercise and the details of your request. For example, if you are requesting data deletion, please provide any relevant identifiers so we can locate the data in question.
For your protection, we may require you to provide verification information, such as a government-issued ID or other personal details, to ensure that we are addressing the request to the correct individual.
We are committed to responding to your requests promptly and within the legally required timeframes. However, please note that complex requests may take longer to process. If this is the case, we will notify you of the delay and provide an estimated timeline for resolution.
If you are located outside of the jurisdiction where our headquarters is based, please be aware that exercising your rights under the data protection laws of your country may be subject to additional processes or requirements. We strive to ensure that all users have access to the same rights, regardless of location, and will comply with applicable laws concerning data protection and privacy in your country.
We may transfer your personal data across borders to countries with differing levels of data protection. However, we will always ensure that these transfers are conducted in a manner that ensures your rights are protected. In cases where data is transferred to jurisdictions that do not provide an equivalent level of protection, we will take appropriate safeguards, such as using standard contractual clauses or ensuring that your consent is obtained.
If you have previously provided consent for the processing of your personal data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before it was withdrawn. In other words, if your personal data was processed prior to your withdrawal of consent, the processing is still considered lawful.
For example, if you previously agreed to receive promotional emails from Tax Sense but later decide that you no longer wish to receive them, you can withdraw your consent by unsubscribing from the emails or contacting our support team. Similarly, if you initially allowed us to use your data for certain services or features, but now wish to revoke that consent, you may do so without consequences.
We make it easy for you to withdraw consent by providing simple mechanisms such as an unsubscribe link in our emails, or a direct communication channel through customer support. However, we recommend reviewing your preferences regularly to ensure that you have full control over how we use your data.
Once we receive your withdrawal request, we will stop processing your data for the purposes you have withdrawn consent for, unless we have another legal basis to continue the processing. If your withdrawal affects ongoing services, we will inform you of any potential consequences.
If you feel that your rights have been violated or that we have not adequately handled your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority. In most cases, this would be the data protection regulator in your country or region.
For example, if you are in the European Union, you can lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority in your country of residence. If you are based in the United States, you may file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the applicable state-level agency.
At Tax Sense, we take complaints seriously. We encourage you to first reach out to us to resolve the issue. However, if you feel that we have not addressed your concerns adequately, you are free to pursue other legal avenues, including lodging a complaint with a regulatory authority.
We believe that transparency and communication are key to maintaining trust with our users. That’s why we are committed to resolving any complaints you may have in a timely and effective manner.
Under certain circumstances, we may use automated decision-making processes to process your personal data, such as when determining your eligibility for specific services or offers. However, we are committed to ensuring that these automated processes do not result in decisions that have significant negative impacts on you without human intervention.
For example, if you apply for a specific service with Tax Sense and an automated system evaluates your application, you may be informed of the decision. If the decision is based on automated processes, you have the right to contest it, and in most cases, we will provide an opportunity for a human to review the decision. We are committed to offering a transparent process for reviewing automated decisions.
Automated decision-making, including profiling, may only take place under the following circumstances:
The processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with you, or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract.
You have explicitly consented to the processing.
The processing is authorized by law.
If you are subject to automated decisions and believe that they are unjust or inaccurate, you have the right to request that we review or alter the decision. You can do so by contacting our customer support team.
Data minimization is a core principle of data protection. It means that we only collect and process personal data that is necessary for the purposes for which it is being used. This minimizes the risk to your privacy by reducing the amount of personal data we store and ensuring that we are not processing irrelevant or excessive information.
At Tax Sense, we carefully evaluate our data collection practices to ensure that we do not collect more data than necessary for providing services to you. This includes periodically reviewing our data collection and processing activities to assess whether the data we collect is proportionate to the service we are providing. If we find that we are collecting data that is not essential, we will adjust our practices accordingly.
We also encourage our users to review their personal data regularly and delete any information that is no longer relevant to the services they use. By doing so, you help us uphold the principle of data minimization, reducing unnecessary data storage and processing.
While exercising your rights over your personal data is vital, it is equally important that we protect your personal data. Tax Sense takes all reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the personal information you share with us from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
We implement industry-standard security protocols such as encryption, firewalls, and secure access controls to ensure that your personal data is protected from breaches. Additionally, we conduct regular security audits to assess the effectiveness of our data protection practices.
However, no system can be entirely secure. While we strive to protect your data to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach, we are committed to promptly informing you of any potential risks and providing steps you can take to protect yourself.
For example, if a data breach compromises your financial information, we will notify you immediately and assist you in taking steps to safeguard your finances, such as freezing your account or changing passwords.
Tax Sense does not knowingly collect or process personal data from children under the age of 16. If we become aware that a child under 16 has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete that information from our records as soon as possible.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child, please contact us immediately. We will make all reasonable efforts to delete the child’s personal data and ensure that it is not retained.
Additionally, we encourage parents and guardians to monitor and guide their children’s online activities. By doing so, you can help prevent the collection of unnecessary or inappropriate data from children.
Tax Sense reserves the right to update and amend this Privacy Policy as needed, to reflect changes in our data practices or in response to changes in privacy laws and regulations. When we make significant updates to the policy, we will notify you through our website or via email, depending on the nature of the change.
If your rights regarding your personal data change in any way, we will update this section to ensure that it accurately reflects your updated rights. Any such changes will be communicated clearly, and we encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we collect, use, and protect your personal data.
Tax Sense does not retain your personal data for longer than necessary. The duration for which we store your personal data depends on the purpose for which it was collected. Once the purpose for which the data was collected is no longer applicable, we securely delete or anonymize the data.
For instance, if you have closed your account with Tax Sense, we may retain certain data for a period of time to comply with legal or regulatory requirements, such as tax laws, after which the data will be deleted. Similarly, if you participate in a promotion or contest, we may retain the data for a short period for the purpose of prize distribution and legal compliance.
If you have any questions about the retention of your data or want to know more about how long we store specific types of personal information, please contact us, and we will provide you with more detailed information.
We store personal data in secure data centers that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, or damage. Our data storage practices align with industry standards for cybersecurity, and we utilize technical measures such as encryption and secure access controls to safeguard your data.
Data stored in our systems is only accessible by authorized personnel who need it for legitimate business purposes. We regularly review our data storage procedures to ensure compliance with best practices and privacy regulations.
We also utilize cloud-based storage for certain types of data, where data is stored across multiple locations for redundancy and high availability. This ensures that your information remains accessible even if one storage location encounters issues.
In addition to physical and technical measures, we have internal policies in place to restrict access to sensitive data, ensuring that only personnel with proper authorization can access it. For example, your personal data used for billing purposes may only be accessed by our billing team, while marketing data will only be accessible to the marketing department.
We will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. These retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the data and the purpose for which it is collected.
For example, if you create an account with Tax Sense, we will retain your personal data for as long as your account remains active. If you deactivate your account or request its deletion, we will retain your data for a short period to comply with any legal or regulatory obligations before securely deleting it.
In the case of financial information, such as tax-related data or billing information, we may retain it for a longer period to comply with tax laws and other applicable regulations. Typically, financial data is retained for a minimum of 7 years, in line with accounting and taxation requirements.
We also retain information related to customer support requests, such as emails and ticket logs, for a reasonable period to assist with future queries or service issues. However, once the issue is resolved and no longer necessary for support purposes, this data will be securely deleted.
If your data is being used for marketing purposes, such as sending you promotional materials, we will retain your information only for as long as you continue to opt-in to receiving communications. Should you withdraw your consent or unsubscribe from such communications, your personal data will no longer be used for marketing and will be deleted in accordance with our data retention policy.
When your data is no longer needed, we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that it is securely deleted or anonymized. Data deletion involves removing personal identifiers and making the information irretrievable, while anonymization involves removing personally identifiable information to the point where the data can no longer be linked back to you.
For example, when you delete your account with Tax Sense, we will take steps to remove all personal data associated with your account from our active systems. However, in some cases, certain information may still be retained in archived or backup systems for the purposes of legal compliance or auditing.
If you request the deletion of specific information, such as your contact details or payment history, we will process that request in accordance with our retention and deletion policies. You can contact our support team if you have any concerns about how your data is retained and deleted.
Tax Sense may be required to retain your personal data for longer periods to comply with legal obligations. For instance, under tax laws, certain personal data may need to be kept for several years for audit or reporting purposes. We also retain data in accordance with anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations when applicable.
In the event that we are legally obligated to retain your data, we will ensure that it is kept secure and protected, and that it is only used for the purposes for which retention is required. Once the retention period for legal purposes expires, the data will be deleted or anonymized.
For example, if you have provided us with tax-related information, we will store that data in compliance with local tax authority requirements and will only delete or anonymize it once the legal retention period has passed.
In some cases, Tax Sense may retain certain personal data even after you request deletion or account closure. These exceptions may include instances where:
We are required by law or regulation to retain certain data for a defined period.
There is a dispute or legal action that necessitates the retention of the data for the duration of the legal process.
Data is needed to ensure the security and safety of our platform and its users.
In these cases, we will inform you of the reason for retention and ensure that any data kept is securely protected and only used for the specific purposes for which it is retained.
We may share your personal data with third-party service providers who assist us in providing services to you. These service providers are carefully selected and are required to adhere to strict data protection and security standards. We only share the necessary data required for them to perform the service, and they are prohibited from using your data for any other purpose.
For example, we may share your information with payment processors to complete transactions, cloud storage providers to store your data securely, or marketing agencies to send you promotional materials. These third-party vendors do not have the right to use your data beyond the scope necessary to assist us in operating our services.
We ensure that these third-party service providers are bound by data protection agreements, including provisions that require them to handle your data securely and confidentially. These agreements also specify that your data will only be processed in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
In the event of a business transaction, such as a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your personal data may be transferred as part of the transaction. In such cases, we will notify you in advance of any changes to how your data is handled and provide you with the option to request the deletion of your data, should you wish.
For instance, if Tax Sense is acquired by another company, your data may be transferred to the new owner, but only if the transfer is consistent with the privacy practices outlined in this Privacy Policy. We will make reasonable efforts to ensure that your data is protected during any such transfer and that the new company honors your privacy rights.
Tax Sense may also disclose your personal data in response to lawful requests by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements. If we are legally required to share your personal information, such as in response to a subpoena, court order, or other legal processes, we will do so in accordance with the law.
For example, if a regulatory body or law enforcement agency requests information related to a financial transaction, we may be required to provide that data to comply with legal obligations. In such cases, we will only share the information that is legally required, and we will make reasonable efforts to notify you of any such disclosure, unless prohibited by law.
Additionally, we may disclose your personal data if we believe such disclosure is necessary to protect our legal rights, investigate fraud or other illegal activities, or ensure the safety of our platform and users.
As part of our global operations, we may transfer your personal data to countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) if necessary to provide you with our services. When we transfer your data internationally, we ensure that the data is protected in accordance with applicable laws, such as through the use of standard contractual clauses (SCCs) or other safeguards.
For example, if we store your data with a service provider located in the United States, we will ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to protect your data in compliance with EU data protection laws. This may include entering into contractual agreements with our third-party providers that require them to adhere to the same privacy standards we uphold.
We will always notify you if your data is transferred outside of the EEA and ensure that appropriate protections are in place to safeguard your rights.
From time to time, we may share your personal data with trusted business partners or affiliates, such as those offering related services or products. This sharing allows us to provide you with more comprehensive services and personalized offers. However, we ensure that any such sharing is done in accordance with this Privacy Policy, and we only share data that is necessary for the particular business relationship.
For example, if you are referred to us through a partner, we may share your basic contact details with them in order to track your referral or provide you with offers from that partner. You will always have the option to opt-out of such sharing, and we will never share your data without your consent unless legally required to do so.
At Tax Sense, we place the utmost importance on safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled with the care and respect it deserves. We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of data protection and privacy practices, and we continually strive to ensure that your rights as a data subject are respected.
Through this Privacy Policy, we aim to provide full transparency regarding the collection, use, storage, sharing, and protection of your personal data. We understand that privacy concerns can arise, and we encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or clarifications regarding how your data is handled.
We want you to feel confident that your data is in safe hands when you engage with our services. Whether you are accessing our website, using our platform, or interacting with us in other ways, we are here to provide you with clear, concise information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal data.
Please be aware that, as our services and operations evolve, this Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. We will always post the most current version of this policy on our website, along with a notification of any significant changes. We encourage you to periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed about how we are protecting your privacy.
As part of our commitment to your privacy, we also want to remind you of your rights concerning your personal data. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to access, update, correct, or delete your personal data, as well as the right to object to or restrict the processing of your data in certain circumstances.
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal data, please feel free to contact us at:
Tax Advisor & Financial Consulting
