This Privacy Policy describes how Bernice Hassan & Associates, CPA ("we," "our," or "the firm") collects, uses, stores, and protects the information you provide through this website and during any professional engagement with the firm. We take the confidentiality of your personal and financial information seriously.
1. Who we are
Bernice Hassan & Associates, CPA is a Maryland-licensed Certified Public Accountancy firm located at 6996 Columbia Gateway Dr, Columbia, MD 21046. We specialize in IRS tax resolution and tax preparation services for individuals and small businesses nationwide. You can reach us at bernice@bernicehassancpa.com or (443) 741-4188.
2. Information we collect
When you submit our contact form or request a free case review, we typically collect:
- Your name, phone number, and email address
- An approximate amount of tax debt or a brief description of your situation
- Any additional details you choose to share in a message field
If you engage us for professional services, we will request and collect additional information necessary to represent you, which may include:
- Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- IRS account transcripts and prior-year tax returns
- Income records (W-2s, 1099s, profit-and-loss statements)
- Bank statements and other financial account information
- Dependent information and household composition
- Employer information and pay stubs
- Any additional records needed to represent you before the IRS or state tax authorities
3. How we use your information
We use the information you provide to:
- Provide CPA and IRS tax-resolution services you request
- Communicate with you about your case, deadlines, and documents
- Prepare and file tax returns on your behalf
- Represent you before the IRS and state tax authorities under a signed Power of Attorney (IRS Form 2848)
- Comply with our professional, ethical, and legal obligations as a CPA firm
4. How we share your information
We share your information only as necessary to provide the services you have engaged us for:
- With the IRS and state tax authorities as required to resolve your case — and only under a Power of Attorney you have signed
- With trusted subcontractors (such as e-filing platforms, secure document portals, and practice-management systems) bound by written confidentiality agreements
- When legally required (for example, in response to a valid subpoena or court order)
- As necessary to investigate or protect against fraud, security threats, or illegal activity
We never sell your information to third parties, and we do not share your information for marketing purposes.
5. Data retention
Client tax records are retained for a minimum of seven (7) years, consistent with IRS regulations and professional standards for CPAs. Contact-form-only inquiries that do not result in an engagement are retained for up to three (3) years and then deleted from our active systems.
6. Security
We take reasonable, industry-standard steps to protect your information. These include:
- Encrypted client portals for document exchange
- Encrypted email where available
- Access controls that limit client file access to staff working on your engagement
- Physical and administrative safeguards over paper records and office systems
No system is 100% secure. Please do not transmit sensitive information — such as your Social Security Number or bank account details — through unsecured channels like standard email or text message. We will provide a secure portal for sharing sensitive documents.
7. Cookies and analytics
This website uses basic cookies to support site functionality and may use Google Analytics 4 or Netlify Analytics to help us understand aggregate traffic patterns (which pages are viewed, how visitors arrive at the site, and similar non-identifying metrics). These tools do not identify you personally. You can disable cookies in your browser settings at any time; some site features may not work fully without them.
8. Your rights
You have the right to:
- Request a copy of the information we hold about you
- Correct inaccuracies in your records
- Request deletion of your information (subject to our seven-year tax-record retention obligations)
Maryland residents may have additional rights under state law. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at bernice@bernicehassancpa.com.
9. Children
This website is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided information through this site, please contact us so we can remove it.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes take effect when the updated policy is posted to this page. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will change to reflect the most recent revision. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
11. Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or about how we handle your information, please email bernice@bernicehassancpa.com or call (443) 741-4188.
See also: Terms · Disclosures