Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 28, 2026 · Last updated: August 13, 2026

TaxOwl Advisors is operated by CKT Ventures, LLC ("we," "us," or "our"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our website and tax preparation services.

DATA WE COLLECT

Information we collect

Client information

Before engagement, our public forms are limited to contact information, the service requested, and high-level complexity information. After you accept an engagement and enter the authenticated client portal, we may collect your mailing address, Social Security Number, date of birth, identification, IP PIN, and other personal information necessary to perform the service.

Tax return data

We collect financial information necessary to prepare your tax return, including but not limited to wage information (W-2), self-employment income (1099, Schedule C), investment income (1099-DIV, 1099-B, 1099-INT), property records, foreign account information, and supporting documentation. Sensitive tax-return data is collected only through the authenticated TaxDome organizer and document-upload tools. Do not send it through ordinary email, text messages, public website forms, consultation notes, or chat.

Payment information

We use Stripe to process payments to TaxOwl. We do not store your full credit card number on our servers; Stripe's privacy policy governs that payment data. Bank routing and account numbers used for a tax refund or electronic tax payment are separate tax-return data and are collected only in the authenticated organizer when you choose that option.

Bookkeeping connections

For bookkeeping, clients connect accounting platforms and financial institutions using authorized invitations or OAuth connections when available. TaxOwl will never ask for or retain an online-banking username, password, or security code.

Usage information

We collect information about how you interact with our website, including pages visited, time spent, and referring sources. This is used for site improvement and is not tied to your tax preparation engagement.

DATA USE

How we use your information

We use your information to:

• Prepare and file your federal and state tax returns.
• Communicate with you about your engagement.
• Process payments and provide receipts.
• Provide year-round support and tax planning advice.
• Comply with IRS and state tax authority requirements for return preparation, e-filing, and recordkeeping.
• Improve our services.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

IRS §7216 CONSENT

IRS §7216 disclosure consent

Federal law (IRS §7216) restricts how tax return preparers may use and disclose taxpayer information. We obtain your written consent before using or disclosing your tax return information for any purpose other than preparing your return. Your engagement letter and intake forms include the §7216 consent language required by federal regulation.

SECURITY

Data security

We implement industry-standard security measures including:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission.
• Secure document portal hosted by IRS-compliant providers.
• Multi-factor authentication and access controls.
• A written Information Security Plan (WISP) as required of all federal tax preparers.
• Regular security monitoring and audit logging.

Tax return data is stored and processed under IRS-compliant security controls.

GLBA NOTICE

GLBA Privacy Notice

As a tax preparer, TaxOwl Advisors is a "financial institution" under the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) for purposes of safeguarding nonpublic personal information about clients. We collect such information solely for the purpose of preparing your tax returns and providing related services. We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about clients or former clients to anyone, except as permitted by law (such as to our clients themselves, the IRS or applicable tax authorities, or our service providers, all of whom are obligated to maintain confidentiality). We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those employees who need to know that information to provide services to you, and we maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with applicable federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.

THIRD PARTIES

Third-party services

Depending on your engagement and website choices, service providers may include:

• TaxDome — authenticated client portal, secure document exchange, messaging, engagement workflow, and electronic signatures.
• CrossLink / TaxOwl Pro — professional tax-return preparation, workflow, and electronic-filing systems.
• Stripe — payment processing.
• Hostinger — website, server, and email infrastructure.
• Google Analytics — consent-controlled website measurement. Analytics storage is denied unless you accept analytics cookies.
• IRS and state tax agencies — e-file transmission endpoints.

Each service has its own privacy policy governing data handling. We select third-party services that meet IRS data security standards.

RETENTION

Data retention

We retain your client information for the duration of our engagement and for a period afterward consistent with IRS recordkeeping requirements (generally a minimum of three years from the filing date, often longer based on the type of return and applicable statutes). After that period, records are securely destroyed. You may request a copy of your retained records at any time.

YOUR RIGHTS

Your rights

You may request to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate information.
• Receive a copy of your tax returns and supporting records.
• Discontinue our services at any time, subject to engagement letter terms.
• Have your data deleted, subject to legal retention requirements (most tax-related records must be retained per IRS rules).

To make a request, email us at hello@taxowl.co.

FLORIDA RESIDENTS

Florida residents

TaxOwl Advisors is a Florida limited liability company. Florida residents have rights under the Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA) and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA). Notification of any data breach affecting Florida residents will be made in accordance with FIPA's requirements.

CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

Children's privacy

TaxOwl Advisors does not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from children under the age of 13. Tax returns for minor children may be filed under the engagement of a parent or legal guardian.

AMENDMENTS

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by email or by posting a notice on our website. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance.

CONTACT

Contact us

For corrections or additional questions, email hello@taxowl.co.