This Privacy Policy is divided into two sections. The first describes how we maintain the accuracy, confidentiality and security of your personal information should you become a client of ours. The second describes how your device information is collected, used, and shared when you visit ustaxestoronto.com (the “Site”).

SECTION 1 – MAINTAINING THE CONFIDENTIALITY & SECURITY OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
We are committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of your personally identifiable information (“Personal Information”). As part of this commitment, our privacy policy governs our actions as they relate to the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information. Our privacy policy is based upon the values set by the Canadian Standards Association’s Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information and Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

“Personal information” refers to distinguishing information about you, as an individual. We are obliged to provide precise information to the government in order to access your personal file and to prepare your personal or corporate tax returns. The information we are required to impart, in order to effectively administer your account, includes but is not limited to the following: name, address, telephone number, social insurance number and / or social security number, marital status, income, dependant information, employment history, medical expenses and tuition. We may collect this personal information directly from you, or from your authorized representative.
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In undertaking the preparation and completion of your personal and corporate tax returns, we will collect, utilize and disclose personal information solely for the purposes identified below. (SEE SCH A – USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION)

It is your choice to provide us with personal information.  The degree of service we are able to provide will be determined by the nature and extent of the information you give us.  Our effectiveness may likewise be limited by your decision to withhold consent to the collection, use, and release of such information.

All staff members who access your personal information are aware of the sensitive nature of the information you have disclosed to us.  They are trained in the appropriate uses and protection of that information and have signed a confidentiality agreement.

SCH A – USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
Our office collects only pertinent information about you. This information is used for the purposes illustrated below:
• to complete your personal and corporate tax requirements
• to communicate with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CRA) on your behalf at your request
• to communicate with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on your behalf at your request
• to ensure that our privacy protocols comply with privacy legislation standards 
• to update our records as required
• to allow us to maintain communication and contact with you concerning your ongoing tax requirements.
• to handle ongoing concerns on your behalf
• to permit us to invoice you for tax services on a timely basis and to collect unpaid accounts

PRIVACY PRINCIPLES

1. Accountability
We are responsible for maintaining and protecting the Personal Information under our control. To   fulfill this mandate and ensure compliance with all privacy principles, Richard Markman has been designated as Privacy Officer.    Richard Markman and staff will ensure comparable levels of protection when using third party firms to process personal client information.

2. Identifying Purposes
We collect, use and disclose Personal Information to provide you with the product or service you have requested. The purposes for which we collect Personal Information will be identified before or at the time we collect the information.

3. Consent
Clients must provide us with informed consent to the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information. Providing us with your Personal Information is always your choice. However, your decision not to provide certain information may limit our ability to provide you with our products or services.

4. Limiting Collection
The client information collected must be relevant to the preparation and completion of personal and corporate tax returns.  This information will be collected in an impartial and legally recognized method.

5.  Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention
Client information may only be used or disclosed for the purpose for which it has been collected, unless otherwise directed by the client or when required or permitted by law.  Such information will only be retained for the duration required to fulfill client obligations and regulations specified by the IRS and CRA.

6.  Accuracy
Client information is maintained in as accurate, complete and current form as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it is to be used.  Clients are expected to provide the firm with updated information on a timely basis.

7.  Safeguarding Customer Information
Client data is protected by security safeguards, which are reasonable and appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.

8. Openness
The office of Richard Markman is required to provide to its clients the privacy policies and practices which apply to the management of client information.

9.  Client Access
Clients must be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of their information and given access to this information upon request.  Clients are entitled to verify the accuracy of their information and to request to have it amended where appropriate.

10. Handling Customer Complaints and Suggestions
Questions or inquiries regarding the privacy principles outlined above or about our practices may be directed to Richard Markman in his capacity as Privacy Officer.

SECTION 2 – PERSONAL DEVICE INFORMATION WE COLLECT WHEN YOU VISIT OUR SITE

When you visit the Site, we automatically collect certain information about your device, including information about your web browser, IP address, time zone, and some of the cookies that are installed on your device. Additionally, as you browse the Site, we collect information about the individual web pages or products that you view, what websites or search terms referred you to the Site, and information about how you interact with the Site. We refer to this automatically-collected information as “Device Information”.

We collect Device Information using the following technologies:

– “Cookies” are data files that are placed on your device or computer and often include an anonymous unique identifier. For more information about cookies, and how to disable cookies, visit http://www.allaboutcookies.org.

– “Log files” track actions occurring on the Site, and collect data including your IP address, browser type, Internet service provider, referring/exit pages, and date/time stamps.
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– “Web beacons”, “tags”, and “pixels” are electronic files used to record information about how you browse the Site.

HOW DO WE USE YOUR DEVICE INFORMATION?
We use the Device Information that we collect to help us screen for potential risk and fraud (in particular, your IP address), and more generally to improve and optimize our Site.
We may also share your Personal Information to comply with applicable laws and regulations, to respond to a subpoena, search warrant or other lawful request for information we receive, or to otherwise protect our rights.

DO NOT TRACK
Please note that we do not alter our Site’s data collection and use practices when we see a Do Not Track signal from your browser.

CHANGES
We may update this privacy policy from time to time in order to reflect, for example, changes to our practices or for other operational, legal or regulatory reasons.

CONTACT US
For more information about our privacy practices, if you have questions, or if you would like to make a complaint, please contact us by e mail at [email protected].