Privacy Policy
Effective Date: February 2026 | Last Updated: February 19,
2026
At akalinCPA ("we," "us," "the Firm"), your privacy and the security of your personal and financial data
are of paramount importance. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your
information when you use our website, client portal, and professional services.
1. Information We Collect
We collect and process the following categories of information:
- Identity Information: Full legal name, date of birth, Social Security Number (SSN)
or Employer Identification Number (EIN), driver's license or government ID.
- Contact Information: Email address, phone number, mailing address.
- Financial Information: Income records (W-2s, 1099s), bank statements, investment
statements, expense records, business financial statements, prior tax returns.
- Business Information: Entity name, entity type, state of incorporation, ownership
structure, employee data (for payroll services).
- Technical Information: IP address, browser type, device information, and usage data
collected automatically when you access our website or client portal.
- Communications: Messages sent through our portal, emails, and notes from
consultations.
2. How We Use Your Data
Your data is used exclusively for the following purposes:
- Preparing and filing federal and state tax returns
- Providing bookkeeping, payroll, and company formation services
- Communicating with you about your engagement and deliverables
- Processing payments through our secure payment portal (CPACharge)
- Complying with IRS, state, and federal regulatory requirements
- Improving our services and website experience
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal or financial information to any third
party.
3. Third-Party Services
- Tax Filing: IRS e-file system, state tax authority portals
- Accounting Software: QuickBooks Online, Xero (for bookkeeping services)
- Payroll Providers: Gusto, or equivalent payroll processing platforms
- Payment Processing: CPACharge (PCI-DSS compliant payment gateway)
- Scheduling: Calendly (for appointment booking — limited to your name and email)
- Communication: Email service providers for transactional notifications
4. Cookies & Tracking
Our website uses essential cookies for site functionality (e.g., session management). We use the Calendly
widget for scheduling, which may set its own cookies. We do not use advertising cookies or tracking
pixels.
5. Data Security
- All data transmitted to and from our website and portal is encrypted via TLS (HTTPS).
- Our client portal uses authentication controls to restrict access to your account.
- We maintain a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) as required for tax preparers under IRS
guidelines and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) Safeguards Rule.
- We strongly discourage sending sensitive personal information via unsecured email. Please use our
secure client portal for document exchange.
6. Data Retention
We retain copies of your work products for a period of seven (7) years from the date of
engagement completion, in accordance with IRS record-keeping requirements.
7. Data Breach Notification
In the event of a data breach, we will notify you within seventy-two (72) hours of
discovery via email and/or through the client portal.
8. Your Rights (California Residents — CCPA)
- Right to Know: You may request a copy of the personal information we have collected
in the preceding 12 months.
- Right to Delete: You may request the deletion of your personal information, subject
to legal retention requirements.
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising
any of your privacy rights.
- Right to Opt-Out: We do not sell personal information. This right is not
applicable.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@akalincpa.com.
9. Contact Us