Membership Agreement

1. PURPOSE OF MEMBERSHIP
TaxPro Shield provides a legal protection membership program for tax professionals, designed to support regulatory, compliance, and related criminal legal defense matters arising from the Member’s tax preparation activities.
TaxPro Shield is not an insurance provider. All legal services are provided only through a separate engagement agreement with a designated law firm.

2. MEMBERSHIP FUNDING STRUCTURE
Membership fees are assessed on a per-return basis.
Fees are currently as follows:
$29.95 per return – Defense Guard Core
$59.95 per return – Defense Guard Plus
$99.95 per return – Defense Guard Premium

Membership fees may be used to pay approved attorney fees for regulatory and compliance matters, subject to plan terms, approval, and availability of funds.
Membership benefits apply based on active enrollment, not per-incident insurance coverage. Per-Return Deduction. The deduction for TaxPro Shield shall apply per tax return prepared and funded. For each qualifying return, the applicable TaxPro Shield fee shall be automatically deducted at the time of funding.

DEFENSE GUARD CORE
Defense Guard – $29.95 per return
The Defense Guard plan provides full regulatory and compliance defense support for tax professionals.

Included Services:
Legal defense support for IRS due diligence audits
IRS preparer notices and correspondence
ERO / EFIN monitoring letters, reviews, and site visits
Administrative-level OPR inquiries
Attorney review, legal strategy, and written responses
Payment of approved attorney fees for regulatory and compliance matters, subject to approval

Member Resources and Educational Benefits
Complimentary Member Resources & Educational Benefits
As part of active membership, TaxPro Shield may provide Members with access to certain complimentary educational and informational resources, which are intended to support professional awareness, compliance education, and general legal preparedness.
These resources do not constitute legal representation, do not replace the requirement for a separate law firm engagement, and may be modified or discontinued at any time.
Included Member Resources May Include:
1.     Complimentary Attorney Consultations
Members may be eligible for limited complimentary attorney consultations with TaxPro Shield’s designated law firm or affiliated attorneys, subject to availability and scheduling.
o   Consultations are informational in nature only
o   No attorney-client relationship is formed unless a separate written engagement agreement is executed
o   Consultations do not include document drafting, court appearances, or representation
2.    Legal Resource Library Access
Members may receive access to a digital legal resource library, which may include:
o   General compliance guides
o   Educational articles
o   IRS and regulatory updates
o   Sample checklists and informational materials
All materials are provided for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
3.    Pre-Recorded Training Videos & Discounts to Trainings
Members may receive access to pre-recorded training videos, webinars, or on-demand educational content covering topics such as:
o   IRS compliance requirements
o   Due diligence obligations
o   ERO and EFIN responsibilities
o   Risk management and audit preparedness
In addition, Members may be eligible for discounted registration to:
·       Live trainings
·       Workshops
·       Conferences
·       Speaking engagements
·       Educational programs or events conducted or hosted by TaxPro Shield or its principals
Discount availability, amounts, and eligibility may vary by event and are subject to separate terms.
 
Exclusions:
Criminal investigations or criminal prosecutions
Court litigation or trial representation
Taxpayer representation

DEFENSE GUARD PLUS
Defense Guard Benefits + 25% Civil and Criminal Defense Fee Discount – $59.95 per return
The Defense Guard Plus plan includes all Defense Guard benefits and adds limited criminal defense fee relief if a tax professional becomes the subject of a criminal tax matter.

Included Services:
All Defense Guard Core defense benefits
Full regulatory and compliance defense through engaged counsel
Twenty-five percent (25%) discount on civil and criminal tax defense attorney fees.

Once more than 1,000 returns have been covered under the plan, criminal investigations are fully at 100%.

Criminal Defense Terms:
A separate criminal defense engagement agreement is required
The discount applies only to attorney fees, not costs, fines, penalties, restitution, or third-party expenses
Twenty-five percent (25%) discount on civil and criminal tax defense attorney fees are subject to approval.

 

DEFENSE GUARD PREMIUM
Core Defense Guard Benefits + 50% Civil and Criminal Defense Fee Discount – $99.95 per return
The Defense Guard Premium plan provides the highest level of protection available under TaxPro Shield.

Included Services:
All Defense Guard and Defense Guard Plus benefits
Full regulatory and compliance defense through engaged counsel
Fifty percent (50%) discount on criminal and civil tax defense attorney fees.

Once more than 500 returns have been covered under the plan, criminal investigations are fully covered at 100%. 

Criminal Defense Terms:
A separate criminal defense engagement agreement is required
The discount applies only to attorney fees, not costs, fines, penalties, restitution, or third-party expenses
Fifty percent (50%) discount on criminal and civil tax defense attorney fees are subject to approval.

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.
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
The Member hereby authorizes and directs that all TaxPro Shield membership fees, assessed on a per-return basis, be deducted from the Member’s tax preparation fees for each tax return prepared and transmitted by the Member.
The Member further authorizes the Electronic Return Originator (ERO), service bureau, bank product provider, settlement processor, or any affiliated third party involved in return processing or fee disbursement to:
Deduct the applicable TaxPro Shield per-return membership fee from the Member’s preparer fees for each return; and
Distribute such funds directly to TaxPro Shield, without further authorization or approval from the Member.

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
TaxPro Shield bears no responsibility for ERO processing delays or errors
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 ERO or 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 of one hundred (100) returns
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.

ERO FEE DEDUCTION AUTHORIZATION FORM

This ERO Fee Deduction Authorization Form (“Authorization”) authorizes the deduction and remittance of TaxPro Shield™ membership fees from the tax professional’s preparer fees.

3. AUTHORIZATION TO DEDUCT & REMIT FEES
The undersigned Tax Professional hereby authorizes and directs the identified Electronic Return Originator (ERO), including any affiliated service bureau, bank product provider, settlement agent, or payment processor, to:

1. Deduct the applicable TaxPro Shield™ membership fee on a per-return basis from the Tax Professional’s preparer fees for each tax return prepared and transmitted by the Tax Professional; and
2.Remit such deducted amounts directly to TaxPro Shield, Inc. in accordance with standard settlement or reconciliation procedures.
This authorization applies only to preparer compensation and shall not be deducted from taxpayer refunds.