Privacy Policy
Commitment to Your Private Information: Off the Bay Tax & Accounting, PLLC has a policy of protecting the confidentiality and security of information we collect about our clients. We do not, and will not, share non-public personal information (“Information”) about you with outside third parties except with your consent or as otherwise permitted or required by law. This notice has been provided to you to describe the Information we may gather and the situations under which we may need to share it.
Why We Collect and How We Use Information. We limit the collection and use of Information within our firm to those individuals associated or employed with us who need the Information to provide tax preparation, accounting, and other professional services to you. Such services may include preparing and filing tax returns and providing other services described in your engagement agreement with us.
How We Gather Information. We get most Information directly from you when you provide us with information from any of the following sources:
• Applications, organizers, tax forms, or other documents you provide to us, including information such as your name, address, Social Security number, birth date, assets, income, expenses, and financial history.
• Prior tax returns, tax documents, business records, financial statements, and other information relevant to the services we provide.
• Information concerning your financial accounts, transactions, investments, retirement accounts, business activities, and other financial matters.
•Other sources with your consent or as otherwise permitted by law, including your attorney, insurance professional, financial adviser, or our affiliated firm, Off the Bay Wealth, LLC.
How We Protect Information. Our employees and affiliated persons are required to protect the confidentiality of Information and comply with our stated policies. They may access Information only when there is an acceptable business or professional reason to do so, such as providing services to you. Employees or other personnel who violate our Privacy Policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. We also maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards designed to protect Information in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and professional standards.
Sharing Information with Our Affiliated Financial Advisory Firm. Off the Bay Tax & Accounting, PLLC is affiliated through common ownership with Off the Bay Wealth, LLC, a separate registered investment adviser. When Client separately engages Off the Bay Wealth, LLC for financial planning, investment advisory, or related services, Off the Bay Tax & Accounting, PLLC may disclose Information to Off the Bay Wealth, LLC where Client has authorized such disclosure and applicable law permits the disclosure. Information disclosed may include tax returns, tax forms, income and deduction information, business financial information, investment and retirement account information, tax payments, carryforwards, and other tax or financial information relevant to the services Client has requested from Off the Bay Wealth, LLC. Client is not required to engage Off the Bay Wealth, LLC and may select another financial professional. Where applicable law requires specific written consent before tax return information may be disclosed or used, including under Internal Revenue Code Section 7216 and its regulations, such consent will be obtained separately from this Privacy Notice.
Sharing Information with Other Companies as Permitted Under Law. We do not disclose Information obtained in the course of our practice except as authorized by you or as otherwise permitted or required by law. Permitted disclosures may include providing Information to third parties that assist us in providing services to you, such as tax preparation and electronic filing service providers, software and technology providers, secure document-storage providers, payment processors, and other professional service providers. We may also disclose Information where required or permitted by law, including in response to lawful requests from taxing authorities, regulators, courts, law enforcement agencies, or other governmental authorities. In such situations, we take reasonable steps to protect the confidential nature of Information being shared.
Former Customers. Even if we cease to provide you with tax preparation, accounting, or other professional services, our Privacy Policy will continue to apply to you and we will continue to treat your non-public personal information with strict confidentiality.