Thank you for choosing EMPOWER CONSULTING GROUP LLC to assist you with your tax preparation for the requested tax year. This letter confirms the terms of our engagement with you and outlines the nature and extent of the services we will provide.
We will prepare your requested federal and state income tax returns. We will rely on you to provide the information needed to prepare complete and accurate returns. Please note that the law imposes penalties when taxpayers underestimate their tax liability. While we may ask you to clarify some items, we will not audit or otherwise verify the data you submit.
We will perform accounting services only as needed to prepare your tax returns.
Accordingly, our engagement should not be relied upon to disclose errors, fraud, or other illegal acts, though it may be necessary for you to clarify some of the information you submit. We will, of course, inform you of any material errors, fraud, or other illegal acts we discover.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Our work (whether consultation, tax return, tax plan or related product) is based on data you provide.
We are not responsible to audit or verify the data that you give to us.
We may ask for clarification of your data or additional information.
We are not responsible to discover fraud or other irregularities, should any exist.
We will work to find all the credits and deductions you are legally entitled to.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
To provide all the information required for a complete and accurate finished product.
To provide this information in a timely manner.
To retain, with the completed work, all the documents, cancelled checks and other data that form the basis of income and deductions since you may later have to provide them to a taxing authority.
To carefully review all work completed by our office before you sign. You have the final responsibility for anything submitted to a taxing authority.
You are responsible not to commit fraud.
You are responsible to let us know if you recieve additional sources of income, self-employed income, 1099k Form, and Unemployment 1099 Form.
Client Acknowledgment
I acknowledge that all information provided to EMPOWER CONSULTING GROUP LLC is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that I must have supporting documentation to validate the information I provide. I further understand that knowingly providing false information on my tax return is a criminal offense punishable by law, which may include court appearances, restitution, and possible imprisonment.
I waive EMPOWER CONSULTING GROUP LLC and the tax preparer of any liability due to errors resulting from incorrect information I provide. By signing below, I authorize EMPOWER CONSULTING GROUP LLC to file my tax return.
Payment Terms
I acknowledge that if I and/or my spouse owe any federal or government debts such as IRS balances, child support, student loans, or other obligations, I/we are still responsible for the tax preparation fees due to EMPOWER CONSULTING GROUP LLC at the time of service. Additionally:
If the refund amount is mailed instead of directly deposited, I/we remain responsible for the tax preparation fees.
Failure to pay tax preparation fees will result in legal action to collect the unpaid balance.
I agree not to dispute tax preparation fees for services rendered due to IRS delays.
Record Retention
Invoices are due and payable upon presentation. At the end of this engagement, your original records will be returned to you. You should securely store these records, along with all supporting documents, canceled checks, etc., as these may be needed to verify the accuracy of your return.
We will retain copies of your records and work papers for three years, after which they will be securely destroyed. If paper copies of your tax return are requested, they will be available for an additional fee.
E-Filing and Document Authorization
Our engagement concludes with the delivery of your completed returns (if paper-filing) or upon your signature and our subsequent submission of your tax return (if e-filing).
If you choose not to e-file your returns through our office, you will be solely responsible for filing with the appropriate tax authorities.Review all tax-return documents carefully before signing.
By signing this agreement, your signature is transferrable to IRS Forms 1040, 8879, 7216, and any other applicable forms in the finalized tax return.
PENALTIES, EXAMINATIONS AND NOTICES
The IRS and state taxing authorities impose penalties for certain offenses, including understatement of income, filing after the deadline, underpaying estimated taxes, or under withholding taxes (If you would like more information, please contact us.) They can also select any return for examination.
PRIVACY POLICY
Tax preparers are bound by professional standards of confidentiality. Therefore, we have always protected your right to privacy. For current and former clients, we do not disclose any nonpublic personal information obtained in the course of our practice except as required or permitted by law, and as is necessary to properly provide our services to you.
Types of Nonpublic Personal Information We Collect. We collect nonpublic personal information about you that is provided to us by you or obtained by us with your authorization.
Parties to Whom We Disclose Information. We make available information to our employees and to nonaffiliated third parties who need to know that information to assist us in providing services to you. In all such situations, we require a contractual agreement that includes procedural safeguards that protect the confidential nature of the information being shared.
Protecting the Confidentiality and Security of Current and Former Client Information.
We retain records relating to professional services that we provide so that we are better able to assist you with your professional needs and, in some cases, to comply with professional guidelines. In order to guard your nonpublic personal information, we maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with our professional standards.
OUR FEES
We invoice for time spent, depending on schedules and forms completed and out-of-pocket expenses incurred. Our rates vary depending on the nature of the work performed. We may invoice for partially completed work that is placed on extension or remains undone.
TAX DOCUMENTS
All clients are provided a copy of their tax documents at the conclusion of their tax preparation, if return is e-filed to the IRS. Tax documents are issued via email or in office only. In order to provide you with a copy of your tax documents, tax return must be e-filed and submitted to the IRS. Any additional copies of your e-filed tax documents are $50 per year.
*A retainer will be required when working on ALL tax returns and before undertaking projects for new clients.
ARBITRATION
If a dispute arises out of or relates to this contract or engagement letter, or the obligations of the parties therein, and if the dispute cannot be settled through negotiation, the parties agree first to try in good faith to settle the dispute by mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association under its commercial Mediation Rules before resorting to arbitration, litigation, or some other dispute resolution procedure.
AGREEMENT
The foregoing is in accordance with my (our) understanding of your engagement to provide tax and financial services and you are hereby advised that each item of revenue or expense can be substantiated by receipts, cancelled checks, or other documents. This information is true, correct, and complete to the best of my (our) knowledge. Further, it is my (our) understanding that these terms will continue to be in force for the succeeding years of our engagement.
Final Acknowledgment
To confirm that this letter correctly summarizes your understanding of the arrangements for this work and that you agree to allow EMPOWER CONSULTING GROUP LLC to file your tax return, please sign below.