CLIENT SERVICE AGREEMENT AND PRIVACY POLICY
Terms of engagement:
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This client service engagement remains in effect until canceled by the client or by the tax preparer.
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Both the client and/or the tax preparer can terminate the agreement at any time requiring no specific explanation or advanced notice.
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If the client requests tax preparation work from the tax preparer, the tax preparer produces that work, and the client decides to disengage prior to completion, the client agrees to pay the preparer’s normal fees for the work that was completed.
Rates:
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Quoted rates are estimates and prices may be subject to change from year to year.
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Rates for returns are computer generated based on the details of a return.
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Rates are not static and changes in return details from one year to the next can impact the rate with an increase or a decrease in the bill.
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Additional fees may apply if extra processing time is needed to organize client tax documents or if the client has heavier than normal activity for stock or other types of trading.
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Bookkeeping services may be charged separately when required to complete a tax return.
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Rates for all other services (Payroll, Bookkeeping, Consulting, Representation, etc.) are quoted.
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Quotes for services are based on the details, volume, and complexity of the service.
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.Rates for services may change without notice when the scope of work change
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Consulting is billed on an hourly basis.
Tax preparation includes:
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One 30-minute consult with the tax preparer.
○ Consults can be on the phone or in person; phone consults are encouraged.
○ NO in office appointments will be taken in the 2 weeks immediately prior to the tax deadline.
○ ALL Appointments must be made well in advance (2-3 weeks prior to desired appointment date).
○ Appointments are first come/first served.
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Electronic copy of completed tax return (1 printed copy available upon request).
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Electronic filing of tax return (if mailing is required, the preparer will package the return for submission, but it is the taxpayer’s responsibility to mail the return).
Direct Deposit for Refunds/Bank Draft for IRS Payments:
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The client is responsible to verify the correct bank information on the tax return.
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The tax preparer’s bank might also reject a refund or payment for several reasons.
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Under no circumstance will the tax preparer reimburse or advance missing, misdirected, or delayed refunds to the client.
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The tax preparer cannot guarantee the amount of a refund stated on a tax return, the time in which it is received, or the method in which it is delivered.
Extensions:
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The client must request an extension via fill-form on the website within the deadline.
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Automatic extensions will not be made on the client’s behalf.
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Associated fees must be settled before an extension can be filed.
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Extension requests must be received 5 business days prior to the tax deadline to allow processing time.
Deadlines:
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During the peak of tax season and around the extension deadlines, the tax preparer’s turnaround time may increase significantly.
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Although it is the goal to file on-time, the tax preparer cannot guarantee an on-time filing.
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The tax preparer is unable to issue reminders regarding deadlines.
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Extensions are filed by request only (see “Extensions”).
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All tax return data must be provided within 3 weeks of any deadline to give the tax preparer lead time to calculate an extension payment, when applicable.
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Penalties, interest, and fees related to late filing are the sole responsibility of the client.
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The tax preparer will not cover or share in the cost of penalties and interest.
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If an extension is filed, the tax preparer suggests that the client files the tax returns as soon as possible as penalties and interest for tax balances can accumulate monthly.
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Certain elections and credits may expire; Any losses incurred because of late election or credit filings will be the responsibility of the client.
Other Items and Expectations:
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The tax preparer depends upon the client to provide information needed to prepare complete and accurate returns; the tax preparer may ask to clarify items but will not audit or otherwise verify the data submitted by the client.
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It is expected of the client to disclose all worldwide income to the tax preparer.
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The client is expected to disclose and participate in multi-state residency determinations; since not all multi-state situations are black and white, the tax preparer will not be responsible for penalties caused from incorrect state filings.
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The tax preparer is not responsible for additional taxes, penalties, and interest resulting from documents that were mistakenly omitted form a tax return; the client should ensure that all data is included on the tax return(s).
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The tax preparer will return the client’s original records and does not retain copies of the client’s original documents; the client must retain these records, along with all supporting documents, in a secure location in case these items are needed later to prove accuracy and completeness of a tax return.
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Guardian cannot provide long-term storage of physical tax documents. If original and/or copies of tax documents are left at Guardian, Guardian will attempt to contact client to arrange document return; Guardian will only store documents for one calendar year following the conclusion of corresponding work.
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Certain positions, elections, and deductions may be examined and reversed by the IRS; the tax preparer does not guarantee positions, deductions, or tax credits; any additional taxes, penalties, interest, or amendments incurred or as a result from disallowances, adjustments, or other action are the sole responsibility of the client.
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The tax preparer is not responsible for penalties due to incomplete disclosures and tax filings involving non-US situations; if the Client has foreign interests of any kind, we suggest retaining the support of legal counsel; This includes but is not limited to any association with foreign (non-US) income, bank accounts, assets, retirement accounts, trusts, property, businesses, corporations (or other) entities, gifts, and distributions.
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The tax preparer performs services only as needed to prepare tax returns; tax preparation work does not include procedures to find defalcations or other irregularities; accordingly, our engagement should not be relied upon to uncover or disclose errors, fraud, or other illegal acts.
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The tax preparer does not guarantee the accuracy of estimated tax calculations.
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Preparer fees are due at the time of service and returns are e-filed upon payment made in full.
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The client agrees that the tax preparer will be filing the tax return(s) electronically; if a tax return cannot be filed electronically, the client and the tax preparer will both sign the tax return, and it will be mailed by the client to the appropriate tax agency without modification of its contents.
Indemnification:
Each Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other Party, and its respective affiliates, officers, agents, employees, and permitted successors and assigns against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, penalties, punitive damages, expenses, reasonable legal fees and costs of any kind or amount whatsoever, which result from or arise out of any act or omission of the indemnifying party, its respective affiliates, officers, agents, employees, and permitted successors and assigns that occurs in connection with this Agreement. This indemnification survives the termination of this Agreement.
PRIVACY POLICY
We collect nonpublic personal information about you from various sources, including:
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Interviews regarding your tax situation.
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Applications, organizers, or other documents that supply such information as your name, address, telephone number, Social Security Number, number of dependents, income, and other tax related data.
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Tax related documents you provide that are required for processing your tax returns, such as forms W2, 1099R, 1099INT, and 1099DIV, and stock transactions.
We will not disclose any nonpublic information about our clients or former clients to anyone, except by request from the client or as required by law. We restrict access to personal information concerning you, except to our employees who need such information in order to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your personal information.
If you have any questions about our privacy policy, please contact the office.