STOKES & MESSIER LLC ENGAGEMENT POLICIES & PROCEDURES

We will prepare your Federal and State income tax returns based on information you provide. You represent the information you provide is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. We will perform accounting services only as needed to prepare your tax returns.  The law imposes penalties when taxpayers underestimate their tax liability.  

We will not audit or otherwise verify the data you submit. Our work will not include procedures to find defalcations or other irregularities. Accordingly, our engagement should not be relied upon to disclose errors, fraud, or other illegal acts, though it may be necessary for you to clarify some of the information you submit. 

Final responsibility for the accuracy of your income tax returns rests with you. You should review your copy of the completed tax returns to confirm there are no omissions or misstatements and notify us immediately should you become aware of any such items.

Our engagement to prepare your tax returns will conclude with the delivery of the completed returns to you, or with e-filed returns, with your signature and our subsequent submittal of your tax return. Any services provided at a later date will include additional fees including amending current or prior year returns and assistance with audits.

We are required to electronically file all returns unless you opt out of this process.  If you choose to opt out, we are required to obtain written disclosure from you, and you will be solely responsible to file the returns with the appropriate taxing authorities.

PRIVACY POLICY

Your privacy is important to us. Read the following privacy policy.  We collect nonpublic personal information about you from various sources, including:

* Interviews regarding your tax situation

* Applications, organizers, or other documents that supply such information as your name, address, telephone number, Social Security Number, number of dependents, income, and other tax-related data

* Tax-related documents you provide that are required for processing tax returns, such as Forms W-2, 1099R, 1099-INT and 1099-DIV, and stock transactions

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our clients or former clients to anyone, except as requested by our clients or as required by law.

We restrict access to personal information concerning you, except to our employees who need such information in order to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your personal information.