This Independent Contractor Agreement is made effective as of signed date below by Tax preparer ("Preparer") and Tax Preparation Company ("Shaw Business Solutions") In this Agreement, the party who is contracting to receive the services shall be referred to as "Company," and the party providing the services shall be referred to as "Preparer.'
1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES. Beginning on date signed, Preparer will provide the following services (collectively, the "Services"): tax preparation services; client file management
2. REMUNERATION FOR SERVICES. Preparer is entitled to receive a portion of fees collected from clients for Services rendered per the option agreed upon and indicated below. Preparer is required to issue an invoice to Company for Services provided to his/her clients. Preparer will be paid from paid fees.
3. TERM/TERMINATION. This agreement automatically terminates on April 15, 2024. Preparer will be subject to liability for breach of contract if, at any time prior to April 15, 2024, Preparer terminates this agreement. Likewise, Company cannot terminate this agreement prior to April 15, 2025, unless Preparer is not productive or violates terms of this agreement.
4. RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES. It is understood by the parties that Preparer is an independent contractor and not an employee of Company. As such, Company will not provide fringe benefits, including health insurance benefits, paid vacation leave, or any other employee benefit, for the benefit of Preparer.
5. PTIN. Preparer is required to obtain and maintain a Preparer's Tax Identification Number (PTIN) in accordance with the IRS' rules and regulations in place during the period covered by this agreement. Company will also issue in house Preparer Number which will also be an identifier of all the tax returns associated with Preparer.
6. CODE OF CONDUCT. Preparer will be governed and is required to comply with the IRS Circular 230 and all relevant federal and state laws including any other laws that govern the tax return preparation industry Preparer acknowledges that he/she will comply with the due diligence requirements and is aware of the penalties imposed by the IRS with respect to the preparation of returns containing refundable credits, particularly the earned income tax credit, the child tax credit, the education credit and any other.
7. LIABILITY. Preparer is liable for own errors and omissions and agrees to correct any errors or omissions whether intentional or inadvertent without compensation from Company. Preparer agrees that any liability associated with their tax returns prepared under this agreement will be that of Preparer and not the Company. It is in the favor of the tax preparer to obtain a Professional Insurance Bond (Errors and Omissions This will be obtained solely by the Tax Preparer and not the company.
8. BACKGROUND CHECKS AND FINGERPRINTING. Company and its licensor reserve the right to conduct a progressive background check on Preparer. The background check may include but is not limited to, credit history, criminal history and previous business history. Preparer is required to submit a fingerprint card, to be taken by a Company certified representative. If a certified representative is not available, Preparer must obtain a fingerprint card from their local police department.
9. WORK PRODUCT OWNERSHIP. Any copyrightable works, ideas, discoveries, inventions, patents, products, or other information (collectively, the "Work Product") developed in whole or in part by Preparer relating to any Services included in this agreement, shall be the exclusive property of Shaw Business Solutions LLC. This agreement grants the Company exclusive rights and full ownership of the 'Work Product'.
10. CLIENTS. Preparer is responsible for generating their own leads and clients for return preparation. Any clients obtained by Preparer are the property of Preparer. The Company will step in to provide customer service during the duration of this agreement should the Preparer fail to render such service to protect the company name.
11. OWNERSHIP OF SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACTS. The company must approve any social media marketing containing the company name before it is posted on social media. Any social media contacts, including "followers" or "friends," that are acquired through accounts (including, but not limited to email addresses, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or other social media networks) used or created on behalf of Company will remain the property of Preparer.
12. TRAINING. Preparer is required to complete all training necessary to qualify for and maintain their paid preparer status with the IRS. Company may facilitate such training but is not obligated. A training assessment will be issued at the completion of Company training. Preparer is required to score 70% or better on examinations should Company provide such training.
13. CONTINUING EDUCATION. Preparer is responsible for completing all continuing education required to maintain their PTIN as mandated by the IRS.
14. EFIN NUMBER. The preparer will utilize Company's EFIN number for electronically filing tax returns prepared by Preparer and shall never at any point submit fraudulent returns under the Company EFIN.
15. CONFIDENTIALITY. Preparer will not at any time or in any manner, either directly or indirectly, divulge, disclose, or communicate any information that is the property of Company to any third party whether such conveyance personally benefits Preparer or not. Preparer will protect all such information and treat it as strictly confidential. This provision shall continue to be effective after the termination of this Agreement. Upon termination of this Agreement, Preparer will return to Company all records, notes, documentation and other items that were used, created, or controlled by Preparer during the term of this Agreement with respect to any Services provided that are required for Company to comply with any due diligence requirements imposed by the IRS.
16. FILE AND RECORD MAINTENANCE. Company will maintain all client return files in accordance with rules and regulations set forth by the IRS. Preparer may access their clients' files as needed to respond to requests from the client or the IRS. Preparer may maintain copies of their own records at a location of their choosing, but Preparer accepts all liability for any disclosures of client information that occur because of these files they choose to maintain. This clause does not require Company to create the files. The creation of the files is the sole responsibility of Preparer. Preparer is required to upload all document into scanned documents location within the software with all documents used to create the tax return. Preparer acknowledges that he/she is aware of the various recordkeeping and due diligence requirements associated with each return that is prepared. Preparer also acknowledges that they will follow all IRS rules with respect to file and recordkeeping. Client files without the proper upload of scanned documents in the tax software may delay the processing of tax return for the client. Returns will not be processed if substantial documents are not present.
If tax returns are processed without the attached documents the funds from the tax client will be held in an escrow account until documents have been uploaded.
(This policy is at the discretion of the company.)
17. OFFICE AND EQUIPMENT USE. For in office employees: Company will provide an office environment with a computer, printer and phone for the Preparer to prepare returns for his/her clients. The office is available for use during the Company Business Hours. Preparer can utilize any of his/her own equipment or resources to assist in the preparation of returns for his/her clients and this utilization should not interfere with the Company direct clients or violate any existing licenses, covenants, etc. of Company. Preparer sets his/her own work hours and is free to utilize Company's office space assuming there is availability to meet the required agreed tax
For Virtual Preparers: Company will not provide an office environment with a computer, printer, and phone for Preparer to prepare returns for his/her clients. It is the responsibility of the Virtual Tax Preparer to provide a reliable laptop with the latest Window 8.1 or higher, computer/laptop, printer, internet, and phone to prepare returns for his/her clients. Preparer can utilize any of his/her own equipment or resources to assist in the preparation of returns for his/her clients and this utilization should not interfere with the Company direct clients or violate any existing licenses, covenants, etc. of Company. Preparer will be responsible for fees to utilize office, copies, fax or scan documents. Company will provide Preparer with software training to prepare returns for his/her clients. Preparer sets his/her own work hours and is free to utilize Company's space assuming there is availability to meet the required agreed tax return. Each preparer must complete two or more tax returns to qualify for one zero preparer fee personal return.
18. BUSINESS EXPENSES. Any expenses associated with Preparer's provision of Services are his/her own and will not be reimbursed by Company. This includes, but is not limited to: automobile expenses associated with providing Services for clients; any office supplies used by Preparer; costs associated with Preparer's retaining employees, agents, or designees; etc.
19. INDEMNIFICATION. Preparer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Company from all claims, losses, expenses, fees including attorney fees, costs, and judgments that may be asserted against Company that result from the acts or omissions of Preparer, Preparer's employees, agents, or designees, if any.
20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties, and there are no other promises or conditions in any other agreement, whether oral or written, that usurp the provisions contained herein.
21. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and enforceable. If a court finds that any provision of this agreement is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would become valid and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited.
22. NON-COMPETE Tax Preparer will sign and date the companies non-compete agreement upon employment. 23. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day, month and year first below written.
TAX PREPARERS NAME
* *
EMAIL
*
TAX PREPARERS PTIN
PHONE NUMBER
* *
DIRECT DEPOSIT INFORMATION
ALL PAYMENT INFORMATION WILL BE REQUESTED IN A SEPARATE EMAIL FROM OUR PAYROLL PARTNER GUSTO.
I AGREE TO THE TAX PREPARER TERMS
![]()
* 
*