Privacy Policy
Last updated: June 21, 2024
Introduction
This Privacy Notice (“Privacy Notice”) details how Tax Status Inc (“we” “us” or the “Company”) will collect, use, disclose and protect personal information (“Personal Information”) obtained about and from taxpayers and commercial clients who use our Tax Status solution (collectively, “End Users”). Further, it describes the rights that you have with respect to such Personal Information.
IMPORTANT: Tax Status offers the Tax Status solution solely as it relates to U.S. taxpayers. While U.S. taxpayers may utilize the TaxStatus solution from anywhere in the world, TaxStatus does not market the Tax Status solution to users outside of the U.S.
Description of Our Solution
Tax Status’ solution (“TaxStatus”) enables taxpayers establish an account through our web application (“Personal Account”) and request and obtain their official personal and/or corporate Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) tax transcripts and to monitor their IRS account for activity. Commercial clients (“Enterprise Client”) can establish an enterprise account to request and obtain official IRS tax transcripts, and monitor IRS accounts, of taxpayers who have granted consent for the Enterprise Clients to do so (“Enterprise Account”). Enterprise Accounts may interface with TaxStatus through our web application or API.
Personal Information
What is Personal Information
Personal Information is defined differently by different laws and is sometimes referred to as “personally identifiable information” or “personal data.” Generally speaking, it is a category of information that can be used to identify a specific person or that can be reasonably associated with a specific person. The particular types of data that qualify as Personal Information vary depending on the state in which you reside. However, the following data elements are examples of Personal Information in most jurisdictions:
- Name
- Postal address
- Unique personal identifier
- Internet protocol address
- Email address
- Social security number
- Driver’s license number
- Date of birth
- Bank account number
- Credit card number
- Biometric identifiers (e.g., fingerprints)
- Purchasing history
- Internet browsing activity
TaxStatus’ Collection and use of Personal Information
TaxStatus collects Personal Information about End Users when an account is established and when the TaxStatus solution is used. Listed below are the sources from which the Company obtains Personal Information, the categories of Personal Information collected from each and the purposes for such collection.
Taxpayers
TaxStatus collects the following personal identifiers from the taxpayer when registering to use TaxStatus and during each transaction:
- First and last name
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- Email address
- IP address
- Taxpayer ID number
- Password
Purpose for collection:
- To establish and maintain a TaxStatus account;
- To fulfill the taxpayer’s requests;
- To respond to taxpayer inquiries and requests;
- To request feedback regarding a taxpayer’s experience with TaxStatus;
- To improve the operation of TaxStatus;
- To detect, prevent, and investigate activities that may violate our policies, pose safety issues or be fraudulent or illegal, and;
- For security purposes
Enterprise Clients
TaxStatus collects the following personal identifiers from End Users at an Enterprise Client when registering to use TaxStatus and during each transaction: First and last name Email address Phone number IP address Password TaxStatus collects Personal Information about the personnel of our Enterprise Clients as a service provider to our Enterprise Client and processes such Personal Information only as authorized by our contracts with the Enterprise Client. In addition, TaxStatus collects the following personal identifiers about taxpayers from our Enterprise Clients: First and last name Mailing address Phone number Email address IP address Taxpayer ID number Password An Enterprise Client’s processing of Personal Information about taxpayers is governed by the Enterprise Client’s privacy policy and the contract that may exist between the Enterprise Client and the taxpayer.
Purpose for collection:
- To establish and maintain a TaxStatus account;
- To fulfill the Enterprise Client’s requests;
- To respond to Enterprise Client inquiries and requests;
- To request feedback regarding a Enterprise Client’s experience with TaxStatus;
- To improve the operation of TaxStatus;
- To detect, prevent, and investigate activities that may violate our policies, pose safety issues or be fraudulent or illegal, and;
- For security purposes
Any End User’s Device
Internet or other electronic network activity information: When an End User interacts with TaxStatus, TaxStatus collects electronic network activity information and device information. We also collect information regarding your use of the TaxStatus such as: (a) Date TaxStatus account first opened (b) Time spent per usage (c) Cumulative time spent across all usage (d) Frequency of usage (e) Frequency of changes to default security settings (f) TaxStatus features visited/buttons clicked/actions taken and frequency of each Browser Agent User Operating system and version Performance data
Purpose for collection:
- To establish and maintain End User accounts;
- To fulfill End User requests;
- To improve the operation of TaxStatus;
- to detect, prevent, and investigate activities that may violate our policies, pose safety issues or be fraudulent or illegal, and;
- for security purposes
From the IRS
Taxpayer name Taxpayer ID number (sometimes received in redacted form) Spouse’s name (if filing jointly) Spouse’s taxpayer ID number (if filing jointly) (sometimes received redacted) Customer file number Tracking number Third party designee name and ID number
Purpose for collection:
- To fulfill the Taxpayer’s and / or Enterprise Client’s requests;
Data Collection Through Cookies
In addition to the above, TaxStatus uses “cookies” to collect Personal Information. Cookies are text files that store information on the browser of your device when you visit a website. These text files serve a number of important functions, including to remember a website visitor and their previous interactions with the website, to help web pages load faster and to route information over a network. Cookies enable TaxStatus to analyze how TaxStatus is used and to monitor the performance of the TaxStatus solution so we can create the best user experience. We use cookies to collect information about your browsing activities over time and across different website pages.
Other Tracking Technologies
We also use technologies that are similar to cookies, such as tags. Tags are small portions of code that we use on the TaxStatus solution to learn whether you have clicked on certain web content.
Our Site may use locally stored objects (“LSOs”) to provide certain content, such as video on demand, video clips, or animation, and a better user experience. Your browser may also offer other tools to delete or reject other LSOs; please check your browser’s settings or help menu for more information.
How We Use Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies
- Strictly necessary cookies — These cookies are essential for a visitor to successfully browse the TaxStatus solution and use its features. These cookies are generally first-party cookies and are session-based, which means they are deleted automatically once your browser is closed.
- Preferences cookies — These cookies are also known as “functionality cookies.” TaxStatus may use preference cookies at times to enable the TaxStatus solution to remember choices you have made in the past.
- Statistics cookies — These cookies are also known as “performance cookies.” They collect information about how you use TaxStatus, such as which pages you visit and which links you click on. This information is aggregated and is not used to identify you. The sole purpose of these cookies is to improve the function of the TaxStatus solution.
Name of First Party Cookie and Activities
Managing Cookies
If you wish to withdraw your previously-provided consent for TaxStatus to use preference and/or statistics cookies, you may adjust your browser to reject cookies from us or from any other website. This will not affect operation of strictly necessary cookies. Please note that disabling a cookie or category of cookies does not delete the cookie from your browser unless manually deleted through your browser function. Controlling cookies via browser cotntrols may not limit our use of other technologies. Please consult your browser’s settings for more information. However, blocking cookies or similar technology might prevent you from accessing some of the TaxStatus features.
To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to block and delete cookies, please visit http://www.aboutcookies.org/.
TaxStatus' Disclosure and Sale of Personal Information
TaxStatus does not “sell” Personal Information to third parties in the ordinary meaning of the word. Rather, TaxStatus is a technology solution through which Enterprise Clients can request and receive official IRS transcripts after obtaining the written consent of the taxpayer to whom the transcripts pertain.
TaxStatus may disclose Personal Information as necessary or appropriate in connection with any of the purposes for which we use Personal Information.
For our business or commercial purposes
- We communicate Personal Information about taxpayers to the IRS in order to request official tax transcripts. In addition, we transfer Personal Information about taxpayers to Enterprise Clients and other third party recipients at the taxpayer’s requests, after receiving the consent of the taxpayer.
- TaxStatus may disclose Personal Information to third-party service providers who help us develop and maintain the TaxStatus solution and who assist us with other services (including, but not limited to, order processing and fulfillment, customer service, and sending client communications on our behalf).
For legal purposes
- For instance, (i) to investigate, prevent or take action regarding actual or suspected illegal activities or fraud, situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any person, or violations of our terms of use; (ii) to respond to or defend against subpoenas, court orders, or other legal process; (iii) to establish or exercise our legal rights; or (iv) to otherwise comply with applicable law.
As part of a corporate transaction
- TaxStatus may acquire other businesses, and other businesses may acquire us. If that occurs, the Personal Information we collect may be one of the assets examined or transferred as part of the transaction. TaxStatus will not permit another business to examine the Personal Information we have collected without a confidentiality agreement. We will not transfer the Personal Information we have collected unless the recipient agrees to provide privacy protections equal to or exceeding those established by this Privacy Notice.
Third Party Cloud Provider
- Cloud hosting services
As referenced above, TaxStatus uses a limited number of third-party service providers to assist us in making TaxStatus available. Those third parties include:
- Third Party Cloud Provider for Cloud Hosting Services
How Long We Retain and How We Protect Personal Information
How Long We Retain Personal Information
TaxStatus stores the Personal Information collected in a third party cloud environment.
Account set-up and device information: TaxStatus retains an End User’s account set-up information until such time as the End User expressly requests deletion of his/her/their profile via the functionality provided in TaxStatus. When an End User “deletes” his/her/their profile, TaxStatus will delete such End User’s account set-up information from our system. An End User may also contact us directly and request that his/her/their account set-up information and taxpayer information be deleted. Once deleted, an End User cannot re-activate the deleted account; a new account must be established in order to use TaxStatus.
Taxpayer information: TaxStatus retains tax transcripts TaxStatus until such time as the subject taxpayer expressly requests deletion of his/her/their profile via the functionality provided in TaxStatus. When an End User “deletes” his/her/their profile, TaxStatus will delete all of such End User’s taxpayer information including, without limitation, IRS tax transcripts and related information. A taxpayer End User may also contact us directly and request that his/her/their taxpayer information be deleted.
How Long We Protect Personal Information
We work hard to protect against unauthorized access to, alteration, disclosure, and destruction of the Personal Information we hold, including:
- We use encryption to keep your Personal Information private while in transit and at rest
- We offer a range of security features to help you protect your account
- We review our information collection, storage, and processing practices, including physical security measures, to prevent unauthorized access to our systems
- We restrict access to Personal Information to Tax Status employees and service providers who need that information in order to fulfill the reason for which it is processed. Anyone with this access is subject to strict contractual confidentiality obligations and may be disciplined or terminated if they fail to meet these obligations.
If You Are a Nevada Resident
Effective Date: September 3, 2021
In accordance with Nevada law, our Privacy Notice identifies for individual taxpayers the categories of “covered information” that we collect through TaxStatus and the categories of third parties with whom we may share such covered information. Please see that information above.
End Users can review and change the information in their individual user account on the “Profile” page of the TaxStatus solution. However, TaxStatus is not able to make changes to taxpayer information received from the IRS. Only the IRS can make changes to such information.
TaxStatus does not sell “covered information” as that term is defined by Nevada law. In addition, TaxStatus does not enable third parties to collect “covered information” about End User’s activities over time and across different Internet website when using TaxStatus.
If TaxStatus makes changes to this Privacy Notice, an End User will be notified of such upon login and will be required to acknowledge and agree to such changes.
Access and Ability to Correct Your Information
End Users can review and change the information in their individual user account on the “Profile” page of the TaxStatus solution. However, TaxStatus is not able to make changes to taxpayer information received from the IRS. Only the IRS can make changes to such information. In addition, taxpayer End Users can download their IRS transcripts from the TaxStatus solution at any time.
You may also contact us to request a correction via email or phone:
- Email: privacy@taxstatus.com
- Phone: (972) 377-0025
Children Under 17
TaxStatus is not intended for use by persons under 17. We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from children under 17. If you become aware that an End User under 17 years of age is accessing TaxStatus, please contact us via email or phone:
- Email: privacy@taxstatus.com
- Phone: (972) 377-0025
We will take steps to remove Personal Information from TaxStatus’ servers and terminate the associated account should we determine that a child under 17 has provided Personal Information to TaxStatus.
Changes or Updates to the Privacy Notice
We reserve the right to revise or update this Privacy Notice at any time, and each update to the Privacy Notice will reflect the “Last Modified” Date. By clicking “I agree”, you agree to the terms contained herein. You should periodically revisit the Privacy Notice to learn of any revisions or updates.
If TaxStatus makes changes to this Privacy Notice, an End User will be notified of such upon login and will be required to acknowledge and agree to such changes.
If you have specific questions about this Privacy Notice, please e-mail us at privacy@taxstatus.com.
