4.MINIMUM RETURN VOLUME REQUIREMENT
Eligibility Requirement:
To be eligible for membership benefits under this Agreement, including compliance defense support and any criminal defense fee discount, the Member must:
Prepare a minimum of one hundred (100) tax returns per calendar year, and
Remain current on all per-return membership fees for core and plus plans.
Prepare a minimum of one hundred (300) tax returns per calendar year, and
Remain current on all per-return membership fees for premium plan.
TaxPro Shield reserves the right to:
Request verification of return volume
Suspend or terminate benefits if the minimum threshold is not met
Failure to meet the minimum return requirement does not relieve the Member of payment obligations already incurred.
5. COMMENCEMENT OF BENEFITS
1. Benefit Start Date
Membership benefits under this Agreement shall begin on the earlier of:
(a) the date the Member transmits the first tax return after enrollment for which a per-return membership fee applies; or
(b) the date the first per-return membership fee is successfully deducted or remitted to TaxPro Shield.
2. Membership benefits apply prospectively only and do not apply retroactively to matters, notices, audits, or investigations initiated prior to the Benefit Start Date.
6. AUTHORIZATION FOR ERO FEE DEDUCTION & DISTRIBUTION
1. Authorization to Deduct Membership Fees (ACH Authorization)
The Member hereby expressly authorizes TaxPro Shield, Inc., and any designated payment processor or disbursement provider acting on its behalf, to deduct all applicable TaxPro Shield membership fees on a per-return basis directly from the Member’s tax preparation fees.
The Member acknowledges and agrees that:
The applicable per-return membership fee shall be automatically deducted from the preparer fees associated with each tax return prepared and transmitted by the Member;
Such deductions may be processed through ACH, settlement, or other electronic fee disbursement methods utilized by TaxPro Shield or its authorized processing partners;
The deducted funds shall be remitted directly to TaxPro Shield, Inc.; and
No additional notice, invoice, or further authorization shall be required for each individual deduction once this authorization is executed.
This authorization shall remain in full force and effect for the duration of the Member’s participation in the TaxPro Shield program unless revoked in writing in accordance with the Membership Agreement.
This authorization applies to:
Defense Guard ($29.95 per return)
Defense Guard Plus ($59.95 per return)
Defense Guard Premium ($99.95 per return)
as elected by the Member.
2.The Member acknowledges and agrees that:
Membership fees are business expenses, not wages or compensation
Deductions are made from preparer fees, not taxpayer refunds
The Member remains responsible for payment if deductions are not successfully processed
7. PLAN TERM & RENEWAL
All TaxPro Shield membership plans are offered on an annual term basis. Upon expiration of a membership term, renewal is subject to the then-current plan offerings, pricing, and terms. TaxPro Shield reserves the right to discontinue legacy plans and require selection of a current plan at renewal.
8.LAW FIRM ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENT
All legal services under any TaxPro Shield plan require the Member to enter into a separate written engagement agreement with the designated law firm. The designated law firm is The Walton Firm, unless a conflict of interest arises. No attorney-client relationship is created with TaxPro Shield.
9. TERM, TERMINATION & SUSPENSION
1.Term
This Agreement becomes effective upon the Member’s enrollment and remains in effect on a rolling basis unless and until cancelled or terminated in accordance with this Section.
2.Cancellation by Member
The Member may cancel membership at any time by:
Submitting a cancellation request through the membership portal, or
Contacting TaxPro Shield directly via our 800-TAX-PROS.
For administrative and processing purposes, cancellation will become effective thirty (30) days after receipt of the cancellation request (“Cancellation Effective Date”).
3.Effect of Cancellation
Membership benefits remain available through the Cancellation Effective Date.
The Member remains responsible for all per-return membership fees incurred prior to the Cancellation Effective Date.
Fees already deducted or accrued are non-refundable.
Any processor deductions initiated prior to the Cancellation Effective Date may still be processed.
4.Termination by TaxPro Shield
TaxPro Shield may suspend or terminate this Agreement immediately upon notice if the Member:
Fails to remit required membership fees
Fails to meet the minimum annual return requirement according to the plan selected.
Makes material misrepresentations
Engages in fraud, willful misconduct, or illegal activity
Loses or fails to maintain a valid PTIN or EFIN
Abuses membership services or fails to cooperate with counsel
5.No Retroactive Cancellation
Cancellation or termination does not relieve the Member of:
Payment obligations incurred prior to the Cancellation Effective Date
Obligations under any separate law firm engagement agreement
10. APPLICABILITY
All plans apply only to tax professionals, not taxpayers
Benefits relate solely to the Member’s professional activities
Coverage is subject to approval, eligibility, cooperation, and plan limitations
11. NO GUARANTEE OF OUTCOME
TaxPro Shield does not guarantee outcomes, penalty abatements, dismissals, or favorable determinations.
11. NON-INSURANCE DISCLOSURE
TaxPro Shield is a legal protection membership program, not insurance.
Membership fees are not insurance premiums, and benefits are not insurance benefits.
12. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Georgia.
13. INDEMNIFICATION
The Member agrees to indemnify and hold harmless TaxPro Shield, the ERO, service bureau, and any payment processor from claims arising from authorized fee deductions made pursuant to this Agreement.
14. ACCEPTANCE
By signing this agreement and remitting membership fees, the Member acknowledges and agrees to this Agreement.