Privacy Policy

01 Introduction

Valeo Ysaguirre ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") operates the website located at valeoysaguirre.com and provides professional tax preparation, tax strategy, accounting, and bookkeeping services. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, contact us, or engage our services.

By using our website or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this policy, please discontinue use of our website and services.

This policy applies to all information collected through our website, email communications, telephone interactions, and any other means by which you interact with Valeo Ysaguirre.

02 Information We Collect

We collect information to provide, improve, and personalize our services. The types of information we may collect include:

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Identity Information: Full legal name, Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN), date of birth, and government-issued identification details required for tax preparation and compliance purposes.
• Contact Information: Email address, mailing address, phone number, and preferred method of contact.
• Financial Information: Income records, W-2s, 1099s, investment statements, business financial records, bank account information (for direct deposit of refunds), and any other financial documents necessary to provide our services.
• Business Information: Business name, entity type, EIN, business financial records, payroll data, and related business documentation for business clients.
• Communication Data: Messages, emails, and other correspondence you send to us through our website contact form, email, or other channels.
• Consultation Information: Notes, preferences, and information shared during consultations, strategy sessions, or client meetings.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring URLs, and navigation patterns on our website.
• Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type, and screen resolution.
• Cookie Data: Information stored via cookies and similar tracking technologies as described in Section 8 of this policy.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• IRS and Tax Authorities: Information obtained from the IRS or state tax agencies in connection with providing our services, including transcripts and account information requested with your authorization.
• Financial Institutions: Information from banks, investment firms, or employers provided or authorized by you in connection with your services.

03 How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect solely for legitimate business purposes, including:

• Service Delivery: Preparing tax returns, developing tax strategies, maintaining bookkeeping records, and providing accounting services on your behalf.
• Client Communication: Responding to your inquiries, sending appointment confirmations, delivering completed work products, and providing important updates regarding your services or deadlines.
• Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Meeting our obligations as a registered tax preparer under IRS regulations, including requirements under IRC §7216 and Treasury Regulation §301.7216, and complying with federal and state laws.
• Quality & Improvement: Reviewing and improving our internal processes, service quality, and client experience.
• Marketing Communications: Sending newsletters, tax tips, or promotional materials — only with your prior consent, and only in accordance with applicable law. You may opt out at any time.
• Security & Fraud Prevention: Detecting, investigating, and preventing fraudulent activity, unauthorized access, and other illegal activity.
• Website Analytics: Understanding how visitors use our website to improve its performance and content.

04 How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal or financial information to any third party. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize us to share your information, such as when we need to contact your financial institution, employer, or another tax authority on your behalf.
• Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors who assist us in operating our business (e.g., secure document storage, accounting software providers, encrypted communication tools). These vendors are contractually bound to maintain the confidentiality of your information and may not use it for any other purpose.
• IRS and Tax Authorities: As required to file your tax returns and comply with applicable tax laws.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, subpoena, or government regulation, or when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our business, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and your continued rights.
• Professional Advisors: With our attorneys, accountants, or other professional advisors where necessary for legitimate business purposes, subject to professional confidentiality obligations.

05 Data Security

We take the security of your personal and financial information extremely seriously. We implement industry-standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure, including:

• Encrypted transmission of sensitive data (SSL/TLS)
• Secure, password-protected client portals for document exchange
• Access controls limiting staff access to client data on a need-to-know basis
• Regular security training for all personnel who handle client information
• Secure disposal of physical documents containing sensitive information
• Regular review and updating of our security procedures

While we employ robust security measures, please be aware that no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. In the unlikely event of a data breach that affects your information, we will notify you as required by applicable law.

06 Data Retention

We retain your personal and financial information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Specifically:

• Tax Records: We retain copies of completed tax returns and supporting documents for a minimum of seven (7) years in accordance with IRS record-keeping recommendations and our professional obligations.
• Bookkeeping & Accounting Records: Retained for the duration of our engagement and for a minimum of seven (7) years following termination of services.
• Client Communications: Retained for a minimum of three (3) years following the end of our professional relationship.
• Website Contact Form Data: Retained for up to twelve (12) months unless a service relationship is established.

When your information is no longer needed, we will securely destroy, delete, or anonymize it in accordance with our data disposal procedures.

07 Your Rights & Choices

Subject to applicable law, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Access: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Correction: You may request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information we hold about you.
• Right to Deletion: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to our legal obligations to retain certain records (such as tax returns).
• Right to Restrict Processing: You may request that we limit how we use your information in certain circumstances.
• Right to Data Portability: You may request a copy of your information in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to Opt Out of Marketing: You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email or by contacting us directly.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@valeoysaguirre.com. We will respond to all verifiable requests within 30 days.

08 Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience and collect analytics data. The types of cookies we may use include:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly. These cannot be disabled.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website (e.g., pages visited, time on site). This data is aggregated and anonymous.
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences for a more personalized experience.

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website. We do not use cookies for advertising or cross-site tracking purposes.

09 SMS & Mobile Communications

Valeo Ysaguirre may offer the option to receive appointment reminders, tax deadline alerts, service updates, and other communications via SMS (text message) to the mobile phone number you provide. The following terms apply to all SMS communications:

• Message Types: SMS messages may include appointment confirmations and reminders, tax filing deadline reminders, requests for missing documents, notification that your completed tax return or reports are ready, responses to your inquiries submitted via text, and promotional messages about our services (only with your explicit opt-in consent).
• Message Frequency: Message frequency varies. During active service engagements, you may receive up to 4–6 messages per month. Promotional messages are sent no more than 2 times per month.
• Message & Data Rates: Message and data rates may apply. Standard SMS and data rates charged by your mobile carrier will apply to all messages sent and received. Valeo Ysaguirre does not charge any additional fees for SMS communications. Please check with your mobile carrier for details on your plan's messaging rates.
• Supported Carriers: SMS service is available on most major U.S. mobile carriers including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, Boost Mobile, MetroPCS, and others. Carrier coverage may vary and we are not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages due to carrier issues.
• How to Opt In: You may opt in to SMS communications by (1) checking the SMS consent checkbox on our contact or client intake form, (2) texting START to our business number, or (3) providing written consent during your client onboarding process.
• How to Opt Out: You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. You will receive one final confirmation message acknowledging your opt-out. After opting out, you will receive no further SMS messages unless you re-opt-in. You may also opt out by emailing info@valeoysaguirre.com or calling us directly.
• Help: For assistance with SMS communications, reply HELP to any message or contact us at info@valeoysaguirre.com.

10 Mobile Information Sharing Statement

Valeo Ysaguirre is committed to protecting your mobile phone number and mobile communications data. The following statement governs how we handle mobile information:

• Data We Collect: When you opt in to SMS communications, we collect your mobile phone number, the date and time of your opt-in, the method by which you opted in, and records of messages sent and received.
• How Mobile Data Is Used: Your mobile number is used solely to send you the SMS communications you have consented to receive. It is stored securely alongside your client record and is not used for any purpose beyond delivering agreed-upon communications.
• Limited Sharing: Your mobile number may be shared only with our SMS service provider (a CTIA-compliant aggregator or messaging platform) solely for the purpose of delivering messages to you. Such providers are contractually prohibited from using your data for any other purpose.
• Carrier Disclosure: Please be aware that your mobile carrier may have access to message content and metadata as part of delivering SMS messages. Carrier practices are governed by their own privacy policies, which are outside our control.
• Retention: SMS opt-in records are retained for a minimum of 4 years as required by CTIA guidelines and applicable regulations. Your mobile number is removed from our SMS lists immediately upon receipt of your opt-out request.
• No Automated Spam: We do not use your mobile number for unsolicited spam, bulk marketing blasts, or any communications beyond what you have explicitly consented to receive.

11 Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, resources, or services that are not owned or controlled by Valeo Ysaguirre. This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected by our website and services. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the privacy practices of any third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party site you visit.

12 Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at info@valeoysaguirre.com and we will promptly delete such information from our records.

13 California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

• Right to Know: You have the right to request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you, the sources of that information, the business purposes for collecting it, and the categories of third parties with whom we share it.
• Right to Delete: You have the right to request deletion of personal information we have collected about you, subject to certain exceptions.
• Right to Correct: You have the right to request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Right to Opt Out of Sale: We do not sell personal information. However, you have the right to opt out of the sale of personal information should our practices change.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA/CPRA rights.

To exercise your California privacy rights, please contact us at info@valeoysaguirre.com. We will respond to verifiable consumer requests within 45 days.

14 Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you via email or a prominent notice on our website. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our website or services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

15 Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

We are committed to working with you to resolve any concerns promptly and fairly.