These terms and conditions are to confirm our understanding of the terms and objectives of our engagement and to clarify the nature and extent of the services we will provide. In order to ensure an understanding of our mutual responsibilities, we ask all clients for whom we provide services to confirm the following arrangements.
We will perform the services outlined in your engagement. You represent that the information you are supplying to us is accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge and you have disclosed to us all relevant facts affecting the returns. We will not verify the information you give us; however, we may ask for additional clarification of some information.
It is your responsibility to provide all the information required for the preparation of complete and accurate services. You are responsible for maintaining an adequate and efficient accounting system for the proper recording of transactions in the books of accounts, for the safeguarding of assets, and for the substantial accuracy of the financial records. You should retain all the documents, canceled checks, and other data that form the basis of income and deductions. These may be necessary to prove the accuracy and completeness of the services. You have the final responsibility for services, therefore, you should review everything provided to you.
Our work in connection with the engagement does not include any procedures designed to discover defalcations or other irregularities, should any exist unless specifically engaged to do so. We will not audit or otherwise verify the data you submit unless specifically engaged to audit. Accordingly, our engagement cannot be relied upon to disclose errors, fraud, or other illegal acts that may exist. However, it may be necessary to ask you for clarification of some of the information you provide, and we will inform you of any material errors, fraud, or other illegal acts that come to our attention.
If we discover information that affects your prior-year, we will make you aware of the facts. However, we cannot be responsible for identifying all items that may affect prior-years. If you become aware of such information during the year, please contact us to discuss the best resolution of the issue.
We will use professional judgment in resolving questions where the tax law or GAAP or other accounting basis is unclear, or when conflicts exist between the authorities’ interpretations of the law and other supportable positions. Unless otherwise instructed by you, we will resolve such questions in your favor whenever possible.
You are responsible for adopting sound accounting policies, for maintaining an adequate and efficient accounting system, for safeguarding assets, for authorizing transactions, for retaining supporting documentation for those transactions, and for devising a system of internal controls that will, among other things, help assure the preparation of proper income tax returns. Furthermore, you are responsible for all management decisions and performing all management functions, and for designating a competent individual who possesses suitable skill, knowledge, or experience to oversee the tax services we provide. In addition, you are responsible for evaluating the adequacy and results of the tax services performed and accepting responsibility for such services.
In connection with this engagement, we may communicate with you or others via email transmission. As emails can be intercepted and read, disclosed, or otherwise used or communicated by an unintended third party, or may not be delivered to each of the parties to whom they are directed and only to such parties, we cannot guarantee or warrant that emails from us will be properly delivered and read only by the addressee. Therefore, we specifically disclaim and waive any liability or responsibility whatsoever for interception or unintentional disclosure of emails transmitted by us in connection with the performance of this engagement. In that regard, you agree that we shall have no liability of any loss or damage to any personal or entity resulting from the use of email transmissions, including any consequential, incidental, direct, indirect, or special damages, such as loss of revenues or anticipated profits, or disclosure or communication of confidential or proprietary information.
It is our policy to retain engagement documentation for a period of three years, after which time we will commence the process of destroying the contents of our engagement files. Any original documents provided during the engagement will be returned to you promptly upon completion. The balance of our engagement file, other than a copy of your income tax return, which we will provide to you at the conclusion of the engagement, is our property and we will provide copies of such documents at our discretion along with compensation for any time and costs associated with the effort.
In the event we are required to respond to a subpoena, court order or other legal process for the production of the documents and/or testimony relative to information we obtained and/or prepared during the course of this engagement, you agree to compensate us for the time expended in connection with such response, and to reimburse us for all of our out-of-pocket costs incurred in that regard.
These engagement terms and conditions are contractual in nature, and include all of the relevant terms that will govern the engagement for which it has been prepared. The terms supersede any prior oral or written representations or communications by or between the parties. Any material changes or additions to the terms set forth in the terms and conditions will only become effective if evidence by a written amendment to these terms and conditions, signed by all parties.
Our fees for these services are based upon the amount of time required at a standard billing rates plus out-of-pocket expenses. All invoices are due and payable upon presentation. A 1-1/2% monthly interest charge (18% per annum) will be added to the balances unpaid after invoice date.
By signing the engagement letter, you are accepting personal financial responsibility for payment. If it becomes necessary to resort to any attorney or to other legal action for collection or enforcement of any terms contained herein, the client shall be responsible for any attorney’s fees or court costs and other expenditures attributable thereto.
If there are any issues you do not understand or there are other tax returns you expect us to prepare, please contact us in writing.
We want to express our appreciation for this opportunity to work with you. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to call.