Privacy Policy

1. Scope of this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how Pearson Financial Services collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards personal information in connection with:

• Tax preparation, tax planning, and filing services;
• Bookkeeping and related financial services; and
• Our websites, online portals, forms, and other digital tools (collectively, the “Services”).

This Policy applies to information we collect from individuals located in the United States. Certain sections, such as the “State Privacy Rights” section, apply only to residents of specific states.

2. Information We Collect

a. Information You Provide to Us

We may collect personal information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Contact details (name, mailing address, email address, phone number);
• Identity information (date of birth, Social Security number or taxpayer ID, driver’s license or ID);
• Financial and tax information (income, deductions, credits, dependents, bank account numbers for refunds or payments, prior year tax returns, withholding forms, W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, K-1s, and other tax documentation);
• Business information (employer/business name, EIN, entity type, bookkeeping records);
• Communications and preferences (messages, notes, responses to questionnaires and intake forms); and
• Any other information you choose to share with us in connection with the Services.

b. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website or use our online tools, we may automatically collect certain information through cookies, pixels, and similar technologies, such as:

• IP address and approximate location;
• Device identifiers, browser type, and operating system;
• Pages viewed, links clicked, and the dates and times of your visits; and
• Referring/exit pages and other usage data.

c. Information from Third Parties

We may obtain information about you from third parties, such as:

• Employers, financial institutions, or payroll providers who send us tax forms or statements at your request;
• Public databases and government entities (including the IRS or state tax authorities); and
• Service providers who help us verify identity or prevent fraud.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information for purposes including:

• Providing tax preparation, bookkeeping, and related financial services;
• Preparing, filing, and amending federal, state, and local tax returns as you authorize;
• Communicating with you about your account, your returns, deadlines, refunds, and payments;
• Maintaining our client records and complying with applicable record-keeping obligations;
• Improving, operating, and securing our websites, portals, and internal systems;
• Detecting, investigating, and preventing fraud, security incidents, or misuse of our Services; and
• Complying with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations, including under IRS rules and applicable financial privacy laws such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

4. Legal Bases for Processing (Where Applicable)

In jurisdictions that require a legal basis for processing personal information, we typically rely on:

• Your consent (for example, when you choose to provide information or authorize electronic filing);
• The performance of a contract or steps taken at your request (such as preparing and filing your tax returns);
• Our legitimate interests in operating and improving our business and protecting our clients; and
• Compliance with legal obligations (e.g., IRS rules, federal and state tax laws, and financial privacy obligations).

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following circumstances:

a. With Service Providers

We may share information with trusted vendors and service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:

• Secure client portal and document storage providers;
• Electronic signature and e-file transmission partners;
• Payment processors and banks (for refunds or service payments); and
• IT, security, analytics, or professional consulting providers.

These parties are permitted to use your data only as necessary to provide services to us and are expected to safeguard your information appropriately.

b. With Tax Authorities and Other Third Parties You Authorize

In preparing and filing your tax returns, we may share information with the Internal Revenue Service, state and local tax agencies, and other parties as you explicitly authorize, such as financial institutions or payroll providers.

c. For Legal and Safety Purposes

We may disclose information when we believe it is necessary to:

• Comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request;
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of PFS, our clients, or others;
• Enforce our agreements; or
• Respond to suspected fraud or security incidents.

d. Business Transfers

If we undergo a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of some or all of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to confidentiality protections and applicable law.

6. Data Security

We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure. These measures are intended to be consistent with our obligations under applicable U.S. financial privacy laws and IRS guidance for tax professionals.

No system can be guaranteed 100% secure. We encourage you to use strong passwords, avoid reusing credentials across sites, and notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access to your information.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• Provide the Services and maintain our relationship with you;
• Comply with legal, regulatory, and professional record-keeping requirements (including IRS and state rules); and
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements.

When information is no longer needed for these purposes, we may delete it, anonymize it, or securely store it in archival form, consistent with applicable law.

8. Your Choices and Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding your personal information, such as:

• Requesting access to the personal information we maintain about you;
• Requesting that we correct or update inaccurate information;
• Requesting that we delete certain information, subject to legal and contractual obligations; and
• Opting out of non-essential marketing communications.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information in the “Contact Us” section below. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling certain requests.

9. State Privacy Rights (e.g., California)

If you are a resident of a U.S. state with a comprehensive privacy law (such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act), you may have additional rights regarding how we use and disclose your personal information.

These rights may include the right to know what categories of personal information we collect, the sources of that information, our business purposes for collection and disclosure, and the categories of third parties with whom we share it. You may also have the right to request access, correction, or deletion of certain information, and to limit certain types of sharing.

We do not sell personal information in the ordinary sense of that term. We also do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising in a way that would require a “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link under California law.

To submit a state privacy request, please contact us using the details below and indicate that your request is related to your state privacy rights.

10. Cookies and Online Tracking

We and our service providers may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to understand how our website is used, improve performance, and remember your preferences. You can usually configure your browser to block or delete cookies, but doing so may affect the functionality of our website or client portal.

Our website is not designed to respond to “Do Not Track” signals at this time.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our Services are not directed to children under 13 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without appropriate consent, we will take reasonable steps to delete that information.

12. Third-Party Websites and Links

Our website and communications may contain links to third-party sites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information to them.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will update the “Effective date” at the top of this page and, where appropriate, provide additional notice.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, or if you would like to exercise your rights, you may contact us at:

Pearson Financial Services
Email: [email protected]