Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Frontier Tax Services is committed to safeguarding the privacy of our clients. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect client information, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), to ensure confidentiality and compliance with applicable data protection laws and IRS regulations.

2. Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to provide our tax preparation and financial services. This includes:

• Personal Information: Full name, Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, and contact information (phone number, email, and address).
• Financial Information: Income details, tax filing information, employment details, and relevant documents to support tax filings.
• Other Information: Any additional data provided by the client related to financial or tax preparation services, including prior tax returns and relevant financial statements.

3. How We Use Your Information

The information collected is used solely for providing tax preparation, financial planning, and related services. This includes:

• Preparing and filing tax returns
• Verifying identity to comply with IRS requirements
• Providing consultation on tax planning and financial matters
• Communicating with clients regarding tax updates, deadlines, or requirements
• Maintaining records to comply with legal obligations

4. How We Protect Your Information

Frontier Tax Services employs a range of security measures to protect client data, including:

• Data Encryption: All client data is encrypted both in transit (TLS 1.2 or higher) and at rest (AES-256 encryption).
• Access Control: Access to client information is restricted to authorized personnel only, based on role and need.
• Physical Security: Physical copies of client documents are stored in locked, access-controlled cabinets.
• Regular Audits: We conduct internal audits to ensure compliance with data protection standards and IRS regulations.

5. Data Retention and Disposal

• Client information will be retained for a period that complies with IRS and legal guidelines, typically 7 years for tax records.
• Once data is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or destroyed using secure disposal methods (e.g., shredding for physical documents, secure deletion for digital files).

6. Third-Party Services and Data Sharing

We do not sell or disclose client information to third parties for marketing purposes.

We utilize third-party services to deliver secure and efficient tax preparation services to our clients. These services adhere to stringent data protection standards and are selected to ensure the confidentiality, security, and compliance of client data:

• Drake Tax Software: We use Drake Tax software to prepare and e-file tax returns. Drake adheres to IRS requirements for security, including encryption, secure storage, and data handling standards to protect sensitive tax information.
• Drake Portals (SecureFilePro): We use Drake Portals, also known as SecureFilePro, to securely transfer files with clients. This portal is encrypted and ensures secure access and transfer of sensitive documents, such as tax forms and financial records, between clients and our office.
• EPS Financial Services (optional): If requested by the client, we use EPS Financial Services, which provides refund transfer and payment solutions to manage financial transactions associated with tax preparation. EPS Financial adheres to regulatory standards for secure transaction processing.
• Protection Plus: Frontier Tax Services offers all clients Protection Plus, a tax resolution service in partnership with Drake Software. Protection Plus provides services for resolving IRS audits, tax notices, identity theft incidents, and other tax-related issues. Protection Plus is fully integrated with Drake Software to ensure secure and efficient handling of client data.
• Google Drive: As part of our Google Workspace environment, we use Google Drive to securely back up client records. All data stored on Google Drive is encrypted, both in transit and at rest, in compliance with industry standards.

Each of these services is bound by privacy and security agreements to protect client data. We do not authorize these third-party providers to use client information for any purposes other than those necessary to provide our services.

7. Client Rights and Choices

• Access and Update: Clients have the right to access and update their personal information by contacting us directly.
• Data Deletion: Clients may request the deletion of their data when it is no longer required for our services or legal compliance, subject to applicable retention requirements.
• Opt-Out: Clients can choose not to receive informational or marketing communications from Frontier Tax Services, except for essential notifications related to their services.

8. Cookies and Online Tracking

Our website may use cookies or similar tracking technologies to enhance the user experience. This data is used to analyze website traffic and does not include any personally identifiable information. Clients may control cookie preferences through their browser settings.

9. Changes to Our Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or regulatory requirements. Clients will be notified of significant updates through our website or via email, and the latest version will always be available on our website.

10. Contact Us

For questions regarding this Privacy Policy or to request access, corrections, or deletions of your data, please contact us at:

• Phone: (606) 268-3068
• Email: info@frontiertaxservices.com
• Address: Frontier Tax Services, PO BOX 3, West Liberty, KY 41472