Privacy Policy

Last updated: [EFFECTIVE DATE]. This policy is a draft pending legal review.

This policy explains how BlackSolstice Technologies ("Taxcout") collects, uses, and protects your information when you use Taxcout. Your tax return information is sensitive, and we treat it that way.

Information we collect

To prepare your return, we collect what you enter or upload: your identity (name, Social Security number, address), your spouse and dependents where applicable, income and tax details (W-2, 1099, and similar figures), documents you upload to the Vault, and account information (email). We also collect basic technical/usage data to operate and secure the service. Payment card details are handled by Stripe — we do not store your full card number.

How we use your information

We use your information to prepare, compute, generate, store, and (once available) electronically file your tax return, to run your account and subscription, to provide support, and to secure and improve the service.

Your tax return information (IRC § 7216)

Federal law limits how tax return preparers may use and disclose tax return information. We use your tax return information only to provide the service to you. We will not use it for any other purpose, or disclose it to third parties, except with your consent, to the service providers who help us operate (below), or as required or permitted by law. [ATTORNEY TO CONFIRM § 7216 CONSENT LANGUAGE AND ANY SEPARATE CONSENT FORMS.]

How we share information

We share information with service providers who process it on our behalf under contract: Supabase (authentication and encrypted data/document storage), Stripe (payments), and our cloud hosting providers. When electronic filing is available, we (or an authorized transmitter) will transmit your return to the IRS and the California FTB at your direction. We may disclose information if required by law or to protect rights and safety. We do not sell your personal information.

How we protect it

We use encryption in transit and at rest, row-level access controls that scope your data to your account, and a written information security program consistent with the FTC Safeguards Rule and IRS Publication 4557. No system is perfectly secure, but we work to protect your data.

Retention

We keep your information as long as your account is active and as needed to provide the service and meet legal, tax, and recordkeeping obligations, then delete or de-identify it. [ATTORNEY TO SET RETENTION PERIODS.]

Your California privacy rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to know what personal information we collect, to access and delete it, to correct it, and to not be discriminated against for exercising these rights. We do not sell or "share" personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. To exercise your rights, contact privacy@taxcout.com.

Children

Taxcout is for adults and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect their information.

Changes and contact

We may update this policy and will post the new version with an updated date. Questions or requests: privacy@taxcout.com — BlackSolstice Technologies, 1545 N Texas St, Ste 201, Fairfield, CA 94533.