True North Tax & Accounting, Inc. ("True North," "we," "us" or "our") respects the privacy of everyone who visits this website and everyone who becomes a client. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through truenorth.cpa, why we collect it, how it is used and shared, how long we keep it, and the choices available to you.
This policy covers the website. Information you provide to us inside a professional engagement is also governed by our engagement documents and by the confidentiality obligations that apply to tax and accounting professionals.
Information We Collect
Information You Give Us
When you complete a form on this site, request a consultation, subscribe to something, or email or call us, you may provide:
- Your name and the name of your business
- Email address and telephone number
- The service you are interested in and your preferred method of contact
- How you heard about us
- Any other details you choose to include in a message or attachment
Please do not send Social Security numbers, employer identification numbers, bank account details, copies of tax returns or other sensitive financial records through a website form or ordinary email. Once an engagement begins we will tell you how to transmit those documents securely.
Information Collected Automatically
Like most websites, this site records certain technical information when you visit, which may include your IP address, browser type and version, device type, operating system, referring page, the pages you view, the time and date of your visit and how long you stay. This information is used in aggregate to understand how the site is used and to keep it working correctly.
Information From Third Parties
If you reach us through a search engine, a referral link or an online business listing, that service may pass along limited information about how you arrived. We may also receive information from a third party who refers you to us.
How We Use Information
- To respond to your inquiry, schedule a consultation and communicate with you
- To provide, manage and improve the accounting, tax, payroll and advisory services you engage us for
- To send service-related messages such as deadline reminders, document requests and filing confirmations
- To operate, secure, maintain and improve this website
- To understand which pages and sources bring people to the site
- To meet our legal, regulatory, professional and record-keeping obligations
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not rent or trade it. We do not use the information you submit through this site to send marketing on behalf of anyone else.
Cookies And Similar Technologies
This site may use cookies and similar technologies. A cookie is a small text file placed on your device that lets the site remember information between pages and visits. We may use:
- Essential cookies, which are required for the site to function, to keep it secure and to remember settings such as form state.
- Analytics cookies, which help us understand how visitors find and use the site so we can improve it.
Most browsers let you refuse cookies, delete cookies already stored, or alert you when a cookie is set. Those controls are found in your browser settings. Blocking cookies may affect how parts of this site behave. Where your browser sends a Do Not Track or Global Privacy Control signal, we honor it for analytics purposes.
Service Providers And Third Parties
We use a small number of reputable service providers to run the practice and this website, which may include website hosting, email delivery, appointment scheduling, website analytics, secure document exchange, accounting and payroll platforms, and electronic filing services. These providers may process limited information on our behalf, and only as needed to perform their function for us. We expect them to protect information to a standard consistent with this policy.
We may disclose information when we are required to by law, subpoena, court order or another legal process; when we need to establish, exercise or defend legal rights; when it is necessary to investigate suspected fraud or a security incident; or with your consent. If the firm is ever sold, merged or reorganized, client and site information may transfer as part of that transaction, subject to the same obligations set out here.
Tax Return Information
Information provided to us for the preparation of a tax return is subject to federal confidentiality rules governing tax return preparers. We do not disclose or use tax return information for any purpose other than preparing or assisting in preparing your return, unless the law permits it or you give us written consent.
How Long We Keep Information
Inquiries that do not become engagements are kept only as long as needed to respond and to keep a reasonable record of the contact. Client records are retained for the periods required by professional standards, federal and Michigan law, and our own records policy, which is generally at least seven years after the relevant filing or the end of the engagement. Website analytics data is retained on the rolling schedule set by the analytics provider.
Security
We use administrative, technical and physical safeguards intended to protect information against loss, misuse and unauthorized access, including encrypted transmission for document exchange, access controls, and a written information security program consistent with the requirements that apply to tax professionals. No method of transmitting or storing information is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. If we become aware of a breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you as required by applicable law.
Your Choices And Rights
- Access and correction. You may ask what personal information we hold about you and ask us to correct anything inaccurate.
- Deletion. You may ask us to delete information we are not required to retain by law, professional standards or an active engagement.
- Communications. You may ask us to stop sending non-essential messages at any time. We will still send messages necessary to an active engagement, such as filing deadlines and document requests.
- Cookies. You can control cookies through your browser settings as described above.
To make a request, contact us using the details below. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request, and we will respond within the time frame required by applicable law.
Children's Privacy
This website is intended for business owners and adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided information through this site, contact us and we will delete it.
Links To Other Websites
This site may link to third-party websites, including accounting, payroll or scheduling platforms. We do not control those sites and are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Read their policies before providing information to them.
Changes To This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy as our practice, our technology or the law changes. The effective date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised. Material changes will be reflected here, and continued use of the site after an update means you accept the revised policy.
Contact Us About Privacy
Questions, requests or concerns about this policy or about how your information is handled can be directed to:
True North Tax & Accounting, Inc.
PO Box 5318
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 947-8707
info@truenorth.cpa
Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, and during tax season from January through April, Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.