This Privacy Policy (the “Policy”) was developed as part of How To File Taxes, LLC, d/b/a Affordable Tax Co. (also referred to below as “HTFT”, “Affordable Tax Co.” “we”, “us” and “our”) commitment to combine the highest quality services with the highest level of integrity in dealing with our clients and visitors. The Policy is designed to assist you in understanding how we collect, use, and safeguard the personal information you provide to us, and to assist you in making informed decisions when using our site and services.
What Information Do We Collect?
When you visit our website, you may provide us with two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose that is collected on an individual basis and/or website usage information collected on an aggregate basis as you and others browse our site.
If you choose to inquire about our services, you may need to provide personal information. Examples include:
Email Information
If you choose to correspond with us through email, we may retain the content of your email messages together with your email address and our responses for a period of 24 months. We provide the same protections for these electronic communications that we employ in the maintenance of information received by mail and telephone.
Similar to other commercial websites, our website utilizes web server logs to collect information about how our website is used. For example, information gathered through web server logs may include the date and time of visits, the pages viewed, time spent on our website, and the websites visited just before and just after our website. This information is collected on an aggregate basis. None of this information is associated with you as an individual.
Children’s Information. We recognize a special obligation to protect personal information obtained from young children. Our website is designed and intended for adults and is not of likely interest to children. The forms on our website are capable, however, of collecting online information from children under the age of 13 who furnish it without prior parental consent. Upon discovery that any such information has been supplied by children under the age of 13, we will disregard and delete that information. We urge parents to instruct their children to never give out their real names, addresses or phone numbers without their permission when online.
Additionally, the California Consumer Privacy Act requires that an individual under the age of 16 must provide opt-in consent for their personal information to be sold. Children under the age of 13 must provide valid parental consent for their information to be sold.
Information Sent To Us By Your Browser. Like most commercial websites, we collect information that is sent to us automatically by your web browser when you access our website. This information typically includes the IP address of your internet service provider, the type of operating system and the type of your browser. The information we receive depends on the settings on your browser. Please check your browser if you want to learn what information your browser sends or how to change your settings. We use this information to create statistics that help us improve our website and make it more compatible with the technology used by our visitors. We review these server logs for security purposes, such as detecting attempted intrusions or compromises to our network. If we suspect criminal activity, we might share our server logs – which contain visitors’ IP addresses – with the appropriate investigative authorities who could use that information to trace and identify individuals. In addition, if you access our website through an email we have sent you, we may link the information provided by your browser to information in our records that identifies you personally.
Information Collected Using “Cookies.” Like many commercial websites, we use “cookies.” A cookie is a small text file that is placed on your hard disk by a web server. Cookies cannot be used to install computer programs or deliver viruses to your computer. We may use two types of cookies – “session cookies” and “persistent cookies.” We may use “session cookies” to assign a randomly generated unique identification number to your computer. A session cookie expires after you close your browser. We use session cookies to collect information about the ways visitors use our website – which pages they visit, which links they use and how long they stay on each page. We analyze this information, known as “click-through data,” to better understand our visitors’ interests and needs, and to improve the content and functionality of our website. We may also use “persistent cookies.” These cookies do not expire when you close your browser but stay on your computer until they expire, or you delete them. Each time you visit our website, our web server will recognize your cookie. By assigning your computer a persistent, unique identifier, we’re able to create a database of your previous choices and preferences. In situations where these choices or preferences need to be collected again, they can be provided by us automatically, saving you time and effort. Assigning your computer, a persistent, unique identifier also helps us keep a more accurate account of how many people visit our website, how often they return, how their use of our website may vary over time, and the effectiveness of our promotional efforts. If you access our website through an email, we have sent you or you’ve created a “user identity” during one of your visits, we may link the information provided by our cookies to information in our records that identifies you personally.
Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, analyze usage, and provide a better user experience. A cookie is a small text file placed on your device by a web server. Cookies cannot be used to install programs or deliver viruses.
Log Files. We may also collect log files that record website activity, including how many “hits” a particular web page is getting. These entries are generated anonymously and enable us to assess overall site activity, track interest in advertised sales and troubleshoot technical concerns. We also use the log file entries for our internal marketing and demographic studies, so that we can constantly improve the services we provide you. Log files are only used internally, and are not associated with any individual, computer system, or browser.
We do not send out newsletters at this time, but in the event that we do, if you no longer wish to receive our email communications, please email me at the contact information below that you no longer wish to receive email communications. These emails are sent manually, and the firm maintains a manual opt-out list to prevent us from sending emails to those addresses.
Depending on how you’ve interacted with us in the past, and for what purpose, we may share your information in the ways described below:
Third-Party Service Providers. We may use other companies to provide services to our business and clients and fulfill your requests. For example, we may use subcontractors for consulting engagements and administrative tasks. It is our policy to use service providers that maintain appropriate levels of data protection, security and confidentiality, and that comply with applicable law.
Other Limited Circumstances. There are other limited circumstances in which we may share your personal information with third parties. For example, we may disclose your personal information when we, in good faith, believe disclosure is appropriate to comply with the law or a regulatory requirement or to comply with a subpoena or court order; to prevent or investigate a possible crime, such as fraud or identity theft; to enforce a contract; to protect the rights, property or safety of How To File Taxes LLC d/b/a Affordable Tax Co. or a third party; or to protect your vital interests. In addition, your personal information may be transferred to another company that has acquired stock or all or part of the assets of How To File Taxes LLC d/b/a Affordable Tax Co., for example, as the result of a sale, merger, reorganization, dissolution, or liquidation. If such a transfer occurs, the acquiring company’s use of your personal information will still be subject to this Policy and the privacy preferences you have expressed to us.
We will not otherwise share your personal information with affiliates, service providers, or other third parties for unknown or unrelated purposes.
How Do We Use the Information That You Provide to Us?
Broadly speaking, we use personal information for purposes of administering our business activities, providing customer service, and making available other products and services to our customers and prospective customers.
Sharing Information
We may share personal information about you with firms that assist us in servicing your account or accounts and processing transactions you request. We may share personal information about you among our affiliates to offer or provide further products and services to you. Our affiliates include the following:
We do not disclose personal information about you with non-affiliated third parties except as permitted or required by law (e.g., disclosures to service client accounts or to respond to subpoenas). We may share personal information about you with non-affiliated individuals or entities that you have previously authorized, including but not limited to, your other professional advisors and/or service providers (e.g., attorney, accountant, insurance agent, broker-dealer, investment adviser, account custodian).
In addition to that which is described in this notice, we restrict access to non-public personal information about you to employees of our firm and, in limited situations, to other non-affiliated third parties who assist us in providing services to you. Their right to further disclose and use the information is limited by the policies of our firm, applicable law, our Code of Ethics, and nondisclosure agreements where appropriate. We also maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards in compliance with applicable law and regulations to guard your non-public personal information. We reserve the right to amend our policies at any time and will notify you should this occur.
How Do We Protect Your Information?
Information Security. We utilize password protected documentation and encryption/security software to safeguard the confidentiality of personal information we collect from unauthorized access or disclosure and accidental loss, alteration or destruction.
Employee Access, Training and Expectations. Our corporate values, ethical standards, policies, and practices are committed to the protection of customer information. Our business practices limit employee access to confidential information and limit the use and disclosure of such information to authorized persons, processes, and transactions.
Data Retention
We retain client tax records and related financial information for a minimum of seven (7) years to comply with IRS and state requirements. Records may be maintained electronically through secure portals or cloud‑based storage, or in paper form if provided directly by clients. After the retention period, records are securely deleted or destroyed unless a longer period is required by law or necessary for legitimate business purposes.
Sensitive Personal Information
Affordable Tax Co may collect and use sensitive personal information in the course of providing tax preparation and advisory services. This includes, but is not limited to, Social Security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, financial account details, and other information required to comply with federal and state tax laws.
We use this information solely for the purpose of preparing tax returns, providing related advisory services, and fulfilling legal obligations. We do not use sensitive personal information for marketing, profiling, or unrelated business purposes.
Although Affordable Tax Co does not provide services in California and is not subject to the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), we voluntarily disclose that we limit the use of sensitive personal information to the purposes described above. Clients may request clarification of how their sensitive personal information is handled by contacting us at the email address listed below.
Automated Decision-Making and Profiling
Affordable Tax Co does not use automated decision-making or profiling in providing our services. All tax preparation and advisory decisions are made by qualified professionals and are not based solely on automated processes.
Your Privacy Rights
How To File Taxes LLC d/b/a Affordable Tax Co. generally collects only the personal information necessary to fulfill your request. Where additional, optional information is sought, you will be notified of this at the point of collection.
Depending on the jurisdiction in which you are located, you may have the following rights in relation to your personal data:
Expanded Data Subject Rights
In addition to the rights already described above, depending on your jurisdiction you may also have the following rights:
We will honor these rights to the extent required or permitted by applicable law and will respond to requests within the timeframes established by those laws.
Contact for Privacy Requests
All privacy requests should be directed to our designated Privacy Contact. You may reach us in the following ways:
We may request additional information to verify your identity before fulfilling your request. This is to protect your privacy and ensure that we do not disclose personal information to unauthorized individuals. Please expect a response within 30 days.
State and International Privacy Rights
Affordable Tax Co provides services to clients in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, Utah, Ohio, and Missouri. While our business does not meet the statutory thresholds requiring compliance with the privacy laws of these states, we voluntarily extend similar privacy protections to our clients. This includes the right to access, correct, and request deletion of personal information, as well as the right to opt out of targeted advertising or the sale of personal data.
International Clients
Affordable Tax Co does not actively market or provide services to residents outside the United States. In limited circumstances, such as assisting family members residing abroad, we handle personal information with the same care and safeguards described in this Policy. We do not engage in targeted marketing or systematic data processing in the European Union, and therefore the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) does not apply to our business operations.
International Data Transfers
Affordable Tax Co does not actively market or provide services to residents outside the United States. In limited circumstances, such as assisting family members residing abroad, personal information may be transferred internationally. When such transfers occur, we apply the same safeguards described in this Policy, including encryption, secure storage, and restricted access.
Any international transfer of client information is limited to lawful purposes directly related to tax preparation and advisory services. We do not engage in systematic cross‑border data processing or targeted marketing in the European Union. Accordingly, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) does not apply to our business operations. However, we voluntarily handle international client information with the same care and protections afforded to our U.S. clients.
Non‑Service States
Affordable Tax Co does not provide tax services, consultation, or bookkeeping in the following states due to restrictive laws or regulatory requirements:
We do not market, solicit, or perform work for residents of these states. Accordingly, the privacy laws of these jurisdictions do not apply to our business operations. If we expand into any of these states in the future, we will update this Policy to reflect compliance with all applicable requirements.
Additional Privacy Disclosures
Privacy Statement
How To File Taxes LLC d/b/a Affordable Tax Co. may modify this privacy statement from time to time to reflect our current privacy practices. When we make changes to this statement, we will revise the date at the top of this page.
Exercising your rights in relation to personal data
You may make privacy requests by emailing lrobinson@howtofiletaxesllc.com (Please allow 30 days for a response)
If you would like any additional information, or have questions surrounding the content or resources within this policy, please contact us at lrobinson@howtofiletaxesllc.com or by mail (Please allow 30 days for a response).
How To File Taxes LLC
171 Crisler St
Canton, GA 30114
