Privacy Policy for EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX Accounting and Business Solutions)
Effective Date: 12/12/2024

At EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX Accounting and Business Solutions), we prioritize the privacy and security of your personal and business information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, process, and disclose your personal information when you interact with our services, including accounting solutions, business solutions, tax preparation and other services.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or would like to exercise your privacy rights, you can contact us directly to our Customer Care Solutions Department at info@eqtax.com or (201) 488 4060

What This Privacy Policy Covers
This Privacy Policy explains how EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX Accounting and Business Solutions), collects and uses personal information in connection with the services we offer, including but not limited to tax preparation, accounting, business consulting, and related services. This Privacy Policy applies to all interactions with our website, mobile applications, and any direct interactions we have with you.

Activities Not Covered by This Privacy Policy
The following activities are not covered by this Privacy Policy:

Third-Party Links: Personal information collected or used by other businesses when you click on third-party links found on our website or use social media widgets that we provide. You should refer to the privacy policies of these third-party websites for information about their privacy practices.
Employment Activities: Personal information collected during employment activities, including job applications, employment-related records, and internal HR processes, is not covered by this policy.

EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX Accounting and Business Solutions)
Approach to Privacy

At EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX Accounting and Business Solutions), we take your privacy seriously. We are committed to handling your personal and business information securely, and in compliance with applicable privacy laws. Our team follows strict internal privacy and security protocols, and we implement Privacy-by-Design principles to ensure your data is protected.
We also maintain privacy and security teams that are dedicated to safeguarding your information, and we continuously work to improve our privacy practices.

The Personal Information We Collect
The personal information we collect varies depending on the nature of our interaction with you. Below are the types of personal and business-related information we may collect to provide our services effectively:

Identifiers: These include your name, contact details (email, phone number, address), business name, Social Security Number (SSN), Employer Identification Number (EIN), and tax identification numbers.

Sensitive Information: We may collect sensitive financial data, such as bank account details, income information, tax filing history, and business tax records, to provide tax preparation and accounting services.

Biometric Information: With your consent, we may use technologies (in partnership with trusted providers) to verify your identity for certain services, such as through facial recognition or digital signatures.

Commercial Information: Information related to your business or personal purchases, financial transactions, or services you have obtained from us, including past or potential services.

Internet and Usage Information: This includes data about your online activity, such as browsing behavior, device information, IP addresses, and interactions with our website or applications. We may also track the effectiveness of emails and advertisements.

Geolocation Information: For certain services, such as mileage tracking or location-based business solutions, we may collect geolocation data to better serve you.

Audio and Visual Information: We may record phone calls or video conferences for training, quality assurance, or service delivery purposes. These recordings will be used in compliance with applicable laws.

Professional and Employment Information: This includes your professional background, business status, income, or employment-related details, especially for services like business consulting or tax preparation.

Other Personal and Business Information: This could include physical characteristics, financial details such as credit card and bank account numbers, insurance details, or other data you provide directly to us, for example, through a survey, consultation, or document submission.

How We Use Your Information

We collect and use your personal and business information for several purposes, including:

Providing Services: To offer our accounting, tax preparation, and business consulting services, such as tax filing, bookkeeping, financial reporting, business planning, and more.

Improving Services: To enhance our services and personalize your experience with us, improving both the functionality of our website and the quality of services we provide.

Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and contractual obligations related to financial services, business operations, and tax reporting.

Client Communication: To communicate with you regarding the services you’ve requested, to provide updates, or to send reminders about tax deadlines, consultations, and more.

Where We Collect Personal Information

In this section of the Privacy Policy, we explain where and how we collect personal information.

Customers:
Much of the personal information that EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS) collects comes directly or indirectly from our customers and prospective customers. Information that is collected directly from you includes details you provide when you complete a form online, upload documents, use a chat feature, or speak with us over the phone. We may also collect information indirectly when you interact with our website, using cookies and other tracking technologies.

Related Parties:
We may collect information about you from someone you know. For example, if you are involved in a business that receives our accounting or tax services and other services, we may be provided with information about you to complete the services requested or fulfill legal requirements. We may also receive information from customers using our services to send communications to you, such as tax filing information or other documents.

Service Providers:
We may collect information about you from our Service Providers or other third-party companies that we partner with to provide services. Service Providers refers to entities that we have contracted with to assist in fulfilling our business needs. An example of the type of information we may receive from a Service Provider includes tax-related documents, payment information, or status updates regarding services like tax filings or business registrations. Service Providers may assist us in collecting information both directly and indirectly from you.

Professionals (including Accountants and Tax Experts):
We may receive information about you from accountants or tax professionals you work with. EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX Accounting and Business Solutions), does not intend to collect any information were doing so, would compromise your privacy or result in a breach of confidentiality. With your consent, we may also receive information from our network of tax experts to assist in providing you with the services you have requested.

Business Partners:
We may receive information about you from our Business Partners. Business Partners refers to entities with whom we have contracted for cross-promotional or product integration activities. An example of the type of information we may receive from our business partners includes details about the services you’ve purchased or financial information relevant to our offerings.

Affiliates and Subsidiaries:
We may collect information from our affiliates and subsidiaries. For example, if we acquire a company or partner with another firm, we may receive information about you as part of that business relationship if you have previously engaged with their services.

Publicly/Commercially Available Information:
We may collect information about you from publicly available sources, including government records, professional licensing databases, or other commercially available sources. For example, we may collect information to verify business registration status or confirm if you have previously filed taxes with a different entity.

Unrelated Parties:
We may receive information related to you from individuals or entities with whom we do not have a direct business relationship. For instance, we may receive financial documents or tax-related paperwork on your behalf from third parties in our capacity as your tax service provider or business solutions partner.

How We Use the Personal Information We Collect
In this section of the Privacy Policy, we explain the commercial and business purposes for which we collect personal information. EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS) uses the information that we collect for the purposes listed below. We utilize technology, including automated processing, AI, and human review, to accomplish these purposes. Additionally, we may combine information from multiple sources.

If we decide to use the personal information, we have collected for purposes that are inconsistent with what is described below, we will notify you and provide information regarding your legal rights related to your personal information.

Providing Products and Services:
We use personal information to deliver and support our accounting, tax, and business solutions. Examples of these uses include preparing and filing tax returns, providing financial consultations, processing business registrations, and offering personalized business advice based on client needs.

Security:
We use personal information to ensure the security of our digital platforms and physical facilities, including safeguarding against fraud, data breaches, or suspicious activities. This also includes maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of financial data and personal information shared with us during our services.

Marketing and Advertising:
We use personal information to market our services to current and prospective clients. This includes targeted advertising, promotional emails, and offering relevant services based on client needs. You can control how your personal information is used for marketing purposes, as outlined in the sections "Your Choices Regarding Personal Information Collected by EQTAX" and "Cookies and Similar Technologies."

Product Development:
We use personal information for product development, including improving our existing services and creating new offerings in accounting, tax preparation, and business solutions. This may also include enhancing technologies like AI for financial analysis and forecasting.

Analytics:
We use personal information for analytics purposes, such as analyzing how visitors engage with our website and understanding customer preferences. This helps us identify trends, improve user experience, and better serve the needs of our clients. We may also use this data to draw inferences regarding customer behaviors, financial habits, and business requirements.

Operational Purposes:
We use personal information for operational purposes, both for our own needs and for the needs of our service providers, business partners, affiliates, and subsidiaries. This includes maintaining our website and infrastructure, training staff, quality assurance, conducting customer surveys, running promotions, and managing relationships with third-party vendors.

Financial Reporting:
We use personal information for financial reporting and other internal processes. Examples include budgeting, tax reporting, preparing financial statements, and fulfilling legal and regulatory obligations related to financial matters.

Meeting Legal Requirements:
We use personal information to meet our legal and regulatory obligations. This includes performing customer due diligence, maintaining records as required for tax and accounting services, complying with financial regulations, and responding to legal inquiries such as subpoenas or audits.

Business Transfers:
If EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS) undergoes a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or other business transition, we may transfer or share some or all our assets, including customer information, as part of the transaction. In such cases, your personal information may be treated as part of the assets, and we will notify you via email or a prominent notice on our site regarding any change in ownership or the use of your personal information. You will also be informed about any choices you may have, concerning the handling of your information.

How We Use the Personal information We Collect
We do not sell or rent your personal or business information to third parties. However, we may share your information in the following scenarios:

Service Providers: We may share your data with third-party vendors who assist us in providing services, such as cloud storage, tax filing software, or secure communication tools. These third parties are bound by confidentiality agreements.

With Tax Authorities: We may share necessary personal and business information with the IRS, state or local tax agencies, or other governmental bodies as required for tax filing or compliance purposes.

Business Transactions: If we undergo a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your data may be transferred as part of that transaction.

Data Security
We implement a variety of security measures to protect your personal and business data, including encryption, secure servers, and regular security audits. While no system can be completely secure, we work diligently to safeguard your information and mitigate any risks.

Analytics
We use personal information for various types of analytics. For example, EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS), uses personal information to analyze how visitors arrive at and interact with our website, and to gain insight into the types of customers that may be interested in our products and services. We may also use the information to develop inferences from the information we collect regarding customer preferences, characteristics, predispositions, behaviors, and attitudes.

Operational Purposes
We use personal information for operational purposes, and the operational purposes of our service providers, business partners, affiliates, and subsidiaries. For instance, EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS), may use the information to maintain our website and other infrastructure, training, quality assurance, for conducting surveys or sweepstakes, to promote our brand, and to use, in connection with our relationships with service providers and business partners.

Data Retention Policy for EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS)

EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS), retains your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, to provide you with our services and products, to comply with legal obligations, and to manage our business operations effectively. This retention period may vary depending on the nature of the data, applicable legal requirements, and any contractual obligations.

Your Rights Regarding Personal Information Collected by EQTAX

This section outlines how you can access, control, and manage the personal information EQTAX holds about you. These rights apply to all individuals worldwide, including those who have used our services or those whose information may have been provided to us by third parties. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have additional rights regarding your personal data.

Confirmation of Possession of Personal Information: Upon a verified request, EQTAX will inform you if we hold personal information related to you, subject to privacy concerns of others and technical limitations. In some cases, EQTAX may correct or delete your information upon verified request, unless required by law to retain it. For certain services, we may need to retain your information to continue providing the service.

How to Submit a Data Request: You can submit a data request by completing the form on our website or by contacting us directly at info@eqtax.com (201) 488 4060. You may be asked to verify your identity and provide additional details for security purposes.

User Access to Personal Information

Order Information Access: EQTAX will provide you with information related to your account or services, including data such as the nature of the services provided, payment details, and contact information. If you wish to designate someone as an authorized contact for your account, you can do so through your EQTAX account settings. Please ensure that all authorized contacts are updated as needed. We may send a confirmation email to any new authorized contacts.

Account Access and Updates: You can access your account at any time by signing in to your personal account. Here, you can review, update, and correct your personal information, check the status of services, and make new requests.

Opting Out of Communications

Promotional Emails: You can opt out of promotional email communications at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link in the email or by contacting us directly at info@eqtax.com or (201) 488 4060. Certain non-promotional, transactional communications may still be sent, and you may not opt-out of these communications if they are required for the ongoing provision of services.

SMS/Text Messages: If you no longer wish to receive SMS or text messages from EQTAX, you can reply "STOP" to any message, or contact us at info@eqtax.com (201) 488 4060

Marketing Calls: To be added to EQTAX’s "Do Not Call" list, please notify us either during a phone conversation or by emailing us at itmarketing@eqtax.com

Security and Identity Protection Practices

EQTAX is dedicated to protecting your personal information with a combination of physical, technical, and administrative safeguards. We use SSL/TLS encryption for payment information and regularly monitor our systems for potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, Multi-Factor Authentication is implemented for customer accounts to enhance security.

Despite these efforts, no system is entirely immune to breaches. While we take extensive measures to protect your data, there remains a possibility that your personal information may be compromised due to unforeseen circumstances such as interception during electronic transmission or misdelivery through mail.

If you suspect that your personal information has been accessed without authorization or misused, please notify us immediately via our privacy contact form or by contacting us directly.

Your Rights Regarding Your Information
Depending on where you are located, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including:

Accessing your information.
Correcting or updating your information.
Deleting or requesting the removal of your personal or business data (subject to certain exceptions).
Opting-out of certain communications, such as marketing materials.
To exercise these rights, please contact us at info@eqtax.com or (201) 4884060

To further enhance the EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX Accounting and Business Solutions) privacy policy with detailed information on where personal information is collected, here’s a revised version that aligns with the structure and content you’ve provided. This addition clarifies the sources of personal and business data collected from various parties in the course of your services:

Customers and Prospective Customers
Much of the personal and business information we collect comes directly from our customers or prospective clients. This is the information you provide when:

Filling out forms online: For example, when submitting a request for accounting or tax preparation services or signing up for a consultation.

Uploading documents: We may ask for specific financial or tax-related documents to provide accurate services.

Using chat features: Information you provide when interacting with us through live chat or messaging on our website.

Speaking with us on the phone: When you contact us directly for questions, support, or services.
In addition to the information, you provide directly, we may also collect information indirectly when you interact with our website through cookies or other tracking technologies.

Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. The "Effective Date" at the top of this page will reflect the latest revision. We encourage you to review this page periodically for any updates.

Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal or business information, please contact us at:

EQAMERICA INC (DBA EQTAX Accounting and Business Solutions).