Privacy Policy

RL Hinton CPA PC ("the Firm," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to safeguarding the confidential information of our clients. Our professional and ethical obligations, as well as federal and state law, require that we protect your nonpublic personal information. This Privacy Policy ("Policy") outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect the information we obtain from and about you, including through your use of our website, www.rlhinton.com.

As Certified Public Accountants, our professional standards of confidentiality are even more stringent than those required by law. We value the trust you place in us and are dedicated to maintaining that trust.

I. Scope of This Policy

This Policy applies to nonpublic personal information we collect from individual clients and business clients who obtain financial products or services from us to be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. It also applies to visitors of our website.

II. Information We Collect

We collect nonpublic personal information about you from the following sources:

• Information We Receive Directly From You: This includes information you provide on applications, tax organizers, forms, and through other communications, whether in writing, in person, by telephone, or electronically. This may include, but is not limited to, your name, address, Social Security number, income, assets, investment details, banking information, and other tax or financial data.

• Information About Your Transactions With Us or Others: This includes information concerning your account balance, payment history, and financial transactions that we process or are otherwise aware of.

• Information We Receive From Third Parties: With your authorization, we may receive information from third parties such as brokerage firms, banks, and other financial institutions.

• Information Collected Automatically: When you visit our website, we may collect certain information automatically from your device, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and information on actions taken on the site. This is typically done through cookies and similar tracking technologies.

III. How We Use Your Information

We use your nonpublic personal information for the primary purpose of providing you with the professional accounting, tax, and advisory services you have requested. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Preparation of tax returns for federal, state, and local authorities.

• Provision of bookkeeping, auditing, and other financial accounting services.

• Provision of financial planning and consulting services.

• Communicating with you regarding your account, our services, and important updates.

• Billing for our services and collecting payments.

• Improving our website functionality and user experience.

• Complying with our legal, regulatory, and professional obligations under Georgia law, federal law (including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act), and the standards of the accounting profession.

IV. Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell, share, or disclose your nonpublic personal information to any third parties, except as permitted or required by law, professional regulations, or with your explicit consent.

Permissible disclosures may include:

• To Third-Party Service Providers: We may engage third-party service providers to perform services on our behalf, such as secure data hosting, tax software processing, or IT support. These providers are contractually bound to maintain the confidentiality and security of your information and are prohibited from using it for any other purpose.

• As Required By Law: We may disclose your information to comply with a validly issued and enforceable subpoena, summons, court order, or other legal process. This includes responding to inquiries from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or state taxing authorities.

• Pursuant to Your Consent: We will disclose your information to a third party (e.g., a mortgage broker, attorney, or financial advisor) only upon receiving your written authorization to do so, in accordance with Internal Revenue Code § 7216.

• To Protect Our Rights: We may disclose information where we believe it is necessary to protect our rights, property, or the safety of our firm, our clients, or others.

• In Connection with a Business Transfer: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our firm's assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to the receiving party's agreement to adhere to confidentiality terms at least as stringent as our own.

V. Data Security

We maintain a comprehensive information security program with administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the security, integrity, and confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information. These measures include:

• Access Controls: Access to your information is restricted to those employees and partners who have a professional need-to-know in order to provide services to you.

• Data Encryption: We utilize encryption for sensitive data both in transit over public networks and at rest in our systems.

• Physical Security: We maintain secure office facilities and data centers to protect physical records and hardware.

• Regular Training: Our personnel are regularly trained on their responsibilities to protect client data and comply with this Policy and applicable laws.

VI. Data Retention

We retain your nonpublic personal information for as long as necessary to provide you with our services, and for a further period as required to comply with our legal obligations, professional standards, and internal record-keeping policies (for example, as mandated by the IRS and the Georgia State Board of Accountancy).

VII. Your Rights and Choices

• Access and Correction: You have the right to review the personal information we have collected about you and to request that we correct any inaccuracies.

• Opt-Out of Communications: You may opt-out of receiving non-essential marketing communications from us by following the instructions in those communications. Please note that you cannot opt-out of essential communications related to the services we are providing to you.

• Cookie Policy: Our website uses cookies to enhance user experience. You can manage your cookie preferences through your web browser settings.

VIII. Children's Privacy

Our services and website are not directed to individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected such information, we will take steps to delete it.

IX. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to amend this Policy at any time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by posting the updated Policy on our website and updating the "Effective Date" at the top of this Policy. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically to stay informed.

X. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please do not hesitate to contact us:

RL Hinton CPA PC 

Attn: Privacy Officer

11720 Amber Park Drive

Suite 160

Atlanta, GA 30009

Phone: (770) 729-4470