PRIVACY POLICY 

 

Effective 11-15-2025

 

Patrice Mills CPA P.C. recognizes the importance of and is committed to protecting your privacy. As CPAs, our firm is bound by professional standards of confidentiality that are even more stringent than those required by law. Therefore, we protect your right to privacy. We do not collect any personally identifiable information from you that you do not volunteer. We do not sell, share or rent information to third parties without your consent. If you register or submit personally identifiable information to us, you agree to the use of such information in accordance with this privacy policy.

 

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information in compliance with the IRS, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Safeguards Rule, and applicable state privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA).

 

 

1. INTRODUCTION

Patrice Mills CPA P.C. does not use cookies to track its visitors and we do not require visitors to sign in. Personally identifiable information about visitors to our site is collected only when knowingly and voluntarily submitted by the visitor. 

 

As a tax, accounting, and advisory services provider, we collect and process sensitive personal and financial information. We maintain strict confidentiality as required under:

• Internal Revenue Code §7216
• Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
• FTC Safeguards Rule
• AICPA professional standards
• California privacy laws (when applicable)

 

We do not sell personal information.

 

 

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

We may collect the following categories of information over the course of providing professional services:

• Identifiers: name, address, email, phone number, SSN, EIN
• Taxpayer and income information
• Financial and banking information
• Employment and payroll information
• Documents uploaded through portals, secure email, or SMS
• Communication records (emails, SMS, secure messages)
• Sensitive personal information (SSN, account numbers, W-2s, 1099s, etc.)

 

3. PURPOSE OF COLLECTING INFORMATION

We use personal information solely for:

• Preparing federal and state tax returns
• Providing bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting services
• Identifying and verifying clients
• Internal recordkeeping and compliance
• Communicating with clients about services, deadlines, and document requests
• Regulatory or legal compliance

 

We do NOT use sensitive information for marketing or profiling.

 

4. INFORMATION SHARING AND DISCLOSURE

We may disclose information only as permitted by law:

• To the IRS, state tax agencies, or government authorities as required
• To vendors providing essential services (e.g., secure portals, e-signature tools, SMS providers)
• To third parties ONLY with written consent when required under IRC §7216

 

We do not share information for advertising or cross-context behavioral targeted marketing purposes.

 

5. DATA SECURITY – GLBA SAFEGUARDS RULE COMPLIANCE

Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be totally secure. Although our Firm strives to protect your personal information, we cannot ensure or warranty the security of any information you may transmit to us. This transmission is done at your own risk. However, once we receive your transmission, we make our best effort to ensure its security on our systems.

We implement administrative, technical, and physical controls including:

• Encrypted data storage and transmission
• Access controls and multi-factor authentication
• Employee confidentiality agreements and training
• Network and device security protocols
• Secure backup and recovery procedures
• Vendor risk assessments

 

6. DATA RETENTION

We retain tax and financial records for a minimum of 7 years or longer when:

• Required by federal or state law
• Necessary for ongoing client engagements
• Needed to comply with regulatory requirements

 

7. CLIENT RIGHTS

Clients may request to:

• Access their information
• Correct inaccuracies
• Request copies of documents
• Update contact information

 

Deletion requests may not apply to tax and financial data that we are required to retain under federal or state law.

 

8.  LINKS

This site contains links to other web sites. Patrice Mills CPA P.C. is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such other sites and hereby expressly disclaims all responsibility and liability which may arise therefrom.

 

9. MOBILE DATA PRIVACY

Mobile information will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. This excludes text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with third parties. 

 

You agree to receive informational messages (appointment reminders, account notifications, etc.) from Patrice Mills, CPA, P.C. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. For help, email us at millsadmin@millscpa.com. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP.

 

10. CHANGES

Patrice Mills CPA P.C. reviews its privacy policy periodically and reserves the right, at its discretion, to modify or remove portions of this policy at any time. Notification of any changes to this statement will be posted on this page.

 

 

 

CALIFORNIA PRIVACY ADDENDUM (CCPA/CPRA)

Applies to California residents only.

 

1. RIGHTS UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW

California residents have the following rights:

• Right to know what information we collect
• Right to access collected information
• Right to delete information (with exceptions)
• Right to correct inaccurate information
• Right to opt-out of sale or sharing (we do NOT sell or share PI)
• Right to restrict use of sensitive personal information
• Right to non-discrimination

 

IRS- and GLBA-governed information may be exempt from deletion requests.

 

 

2. CATEGORIES OF INFORMATION COLLECTED

We collect:

• Identifiers: name, address, phone, SSN/EIN
• Financial and tax information
• Employment information
• SMS/mobile information, including text content and phone numbers
• Sensitive personal information

 

3. PURPOSE FOR COLLECTION

Information is used solely to provide tax, accounting, payroll, and advisory services.

 

4. SENSITIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION

Includes:

• Social Security Numbers
• Taxpayer data
• Financial account numbers
• Document uploads (W-2s, 1099s, payroll reports, etc.)
• SMS/text message content related to services

 

We do NOT use sensitive information for marketing or profiling.

 

5. MOBILE/SMS DATA (CALIFORNIA-SPECIFIC)

SMS messages and mobile numbers are treated as personal information. SMS content is used only for client communication and documentation. We do NOT:

• Sell mobile numbers
• Share SMS content with third parties
• Use SMS content for advertising

 

6. DATA RETENTION

• Tax and financial records: minimum 7 years  
• Other personal information: retained only as long as necessary for service delivery.

 

7. HOW TO EXERCISE CALIFORNIA RIGHTS

California residents may submit requests via:

• Email: [Your Email]
• Phone: [Your Phone Number]
• Mailing Address: [Your Address]

 

We may require identity verification before fulfilling requests.

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CONTACT US

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or your rights, contact us at:

Patrice Mills CPA P.C. 

millsadmin@millscpa.com