Tax Industry Notice: Certain uses and disclosures of tax return information are regulated by federal law (e.g., 26 U.S.C. §7216 and related regulations). Where those rules apply, we will obtain your consent or act as otherwise permitted by law.
1) Scope
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit amerifile.com or use our tax preparation and related services (the “Services”).
2) Information We Collect
Identifiers & contact data (e.g., name, email, phone, address).
Tax & financial information you provide for preparation (e.g., W-2/1099 data, dependent info, deductions, banking details for direct deposit/withdrawal).
Government identifiers (e.g., SSN/ITIN) where required for tax filing and identity verification.
Technical data (e.g., IP address, device/browser type, pages viewed, referral/UTM data, cookies, and similar technologies).
Communications (e.g., messages, scheduling notes, recordings if you consent).
Payment data (processed through our payment partners; we do not store full card numbers).
3) How We Use Information
Provide, personalize, and improve the Services (including e-filing and document handling).
Verify your identity and prevent fraud.
Comply with laws, regulations, and professional standards.
Communicate about appointments, returns, updates, and marketing (you may opt out of marketing).
Maintain security, debug, and perform analytics on website performance.
4) Legal Bases (where applicable)
We process information based on your consent, to perform a contract, to comply with legal obligations, and for our legitimate interests (e.g., maintaining secure systems and improving services).
5) Sharing & Disclosures
With your consent or as permitted by tax law (e.g., IRS 7216 rules governing use/disclosure of tax return information).
Service providers (e.g., secure document portals, e-file transmitters, payment processors, IT/security, scheduling, communications) under contractual confidentiality obligations.
Government authorities (e.g., IRS/State revenue agencies) as required for filing, audits, or legal compliance.
Business transfers (e.g., merger, acquisition) subject to continued protection of your information.
We do not sell your tax return information. We do not knowingly sell or share personal information of children under 16.
6) Cookies & Similar Technologies
We use cookies and similar tools to operate the site, remember preferences, measure performance, and improve content. You can adjust browser settings to limit cookies; some features may not work properly if disabled.
7) Data Security
We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information, including encryption in transit (TLS) and access controls. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.
8) Data Retention
We retain information for as long as necessary to provide services, meet legal and regulatory obligations (including IRS/state retention rules), resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.
9) Your Choices
Marketing: Opt out via unsubscribe links or by contacting [email protected].
Access/Update: You may request access to or correction of your information.
Consent for tax return information: Where required, you may grant or revoke consent for specific uses/disclosures beyond what the law permits without consent.
10) State-Specific Notices
If you reside in a U.S. state with a comprehensive privacy law (e.g., California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Virginia), you may have rights to access, delete, correct, or opt out of certain processing. To exercise these rights, email [email protected] with the subject “Privacy Request,” indicate your state of residence, and verify your identity. For California residents, we provide the following additional disclosures:
Categories collected: Identifiers; customer records; protected classification characteristics (only if you choose to provide and where lawful); commercial information; internet/network activity; geolocation (approximate); audio/electronic info (if recorded with consent); professional/employment information; sensitive information (e.g., SSN) where required for tax services.
“Selling”/“Sharing”: We do not sell personal information. We do not share for cross-context behavioral advertising.
Retention: See Section 8 above.
Right to limit use of sensitive information: We use sensitive information only to provide services reasonably expected by an average consumer seeking tax preparation, to ensure security/integrity, for short-term transient use, or as otherwise permitted by law.
11) Children’s Privacy
Our website is not directed to children. We process dependents’ information only as provided by the taxpayer for tax preparation and related lawful purposes.
12) International Users
We primarily serve U.S. taxpayers. If you access our site from another country, your information may be processed in the United States where privacy laws may differ from those where you live.
13) Third-Party Links
Links to third-party sites/services are provided for convenience. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies.
14) Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The Effective Date above indicates the latest version. Material changes will be posted on this page.