How long does the review process take?

Typically 5-7 business days from when we receive your completed intake form and authorization to pull your IRS transcripts. We'll keep you updated throughout the process.

What documents do I need to provide?

We'll need a signed authorization form allowing us to access your IRS transcripts. We'll guide you through the secure submission process.

What if you find something wrong?

Don't worry – that's exactly why you're doing this review. If we discover issues, we'll explain your options clearly and can help you resolve them. Most issues are fixable, and addressing them proactively is always better than waiting for the IRS to find them.

Is this the same as an audit?

No, this is a private, proactive review conducted by our firm – not the IRS. Think of it as a health checkup for your tax situation. It's designed to help you identify and address potential issues before they become problems.

What if I have unfiled returns?

We can help with that too. During our review, we'll identify any gaps in your filing history and discuss the best approach to get you current. Many clients are surprised to learn that catching up is often easier than they feared.

Do I need to be a current client?

No! While we offer a discounted Client Edition for existing clients, our Community Edition is designed specifically for people new to our firm. Either way, you'll receive the same thorough, professional review.

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 1, 2025

KohariGonzalez Oneyear&Brown, CPAs & Advisors ("KGOB," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our clients' personal and financial information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you engage our professional services or visit our website.

As a licensed CPA firm in North Carolina, we are bound by professional ethical standards and federal and state regulations governing the confidentiality of client information. This policy is designed to comply with the North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners rules (21 NCAC 08N), the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), FTC Safeguards Rule, IRS Publication 4557, and North Carolina data breach notification laws (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-65).

Contact Information

Office Address

2740 East WT Harris Blvd, Suite 240
Charlotte, NC 28213

Phone

1-844-499-3355

relief@kgob.com

Privacy Officer

privacy@kgob.com

1. Information We Collect

Personal Identification Information

Full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security Number (SSN)
Employer Identification Number (EIN) for businesses
Driver's license or state identification number
Passport information (if applicable)
Contact information (address, phone, email)

Financial Information

Bank account and routing numbers
Income statements (W-2s, 1099s, K-1s)
Investment and brokerage account information
Real estate records and mortgage information
Business financial statements and records
Credit card information (for payment processing only)
Prior tax returns and IRS correspondence

Tax-Related Information

IRS account transcripts and tax history
State tax records and filings
Deduction and credit documentation
Estimated tax payment records
IRS notices and correspondence

Methods of Collection

We collect information through:

Direct submission from clients (in-person, mail, email, secure portal)
Third-party sources with your authorization (IRS, state agencies, financial institutions)
Website forms and secure client portals
Phone conversations and video consultations

2. How We Use Your Information

Primary Uses

Preparing and filing federal and state tax returns
Conducting IRS Peace-of-Mind Reviews and transcript analysis
Providing tax planning and advisory services
Representing clients before the IRS and state tax authorities
Preparing financial statements and accounting reports
Responding to IRS notices and correspondence

Administrative Uses

Client billing and payment processing
Scheduling appointments and managing engagements
Communicating about your services and deliverables
Quality assurance and peer review compliance
Maintaining required professional records

3. Confidentiality Commitment

In accordance with 21 NCAC 08N .0205 and the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct Section 1.700, we shall not disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of a professional engagement except with the consent of the client.

Limited Exceptions to Confidentiality

We may disclose your information without your consent only in the following narrowly defined circumstances:

Court Order or Subpoena: When legally compelled by a valid court order or subpoena. We will notify you before disclosure when legally permitted.
IRS or State Tax Authority Inquiries: When required to respond to official tax authority requests as part of your tax representation.
NC Board of CPA Examiners Investigation: In connection with enforcement actions by the North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners.
Professional Standards Compliance: As required by AICPA peer review or quality control standards (without identifying confidential client information).
Legal Requirements: When disclosure is mandated by federal or state law.
Client Authorization: When you have provided explicit written consent for disclosure.

4. Information Security Safeguards

We maintain a comprehensive Written Information Security Plan (WISP) in compliance with the FTC Safeguards Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 314) and IRS Publication 4557. Our security measures include:

Administrative Safeguards

• Designated Security Officer
• Employee confidentiality agreements
• Annual security training
• Background checks
• Access termination procedures

Technical Safeguards

• AES-256 encryption (data at rest)
• TLS 1.2+ encryption (transmission)
• Multi-factor authentication
• Firewall & intrusion detection
• Regular security updates

Physical Safeguards

• Locked file storage
• Restricted office access
• Cross-cut shredding
• Visitor log procedures
• Secure document destruction

5. Data Retention

We retain your information in accordance with professional standards and legal requirements:

Tax-related records: Minimum 7 years from the date of filing or the date the tax was due, whichever is later.
Engagement files: Minimum 5 years after completion of the engagement.
IRS representation records: Retained for the longer of 7 years or until all matters are resolved.
Client-provided original documents: Returned to you upon completion of services or upon request.

Upon expiration of the retention period, records are securely destroyed using cross-cut shredding for paper documents and certified data wiping for electronic files.

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Right to Access: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
Right to Correction: You may request correction of any inaccurate information.
Right to Your Records: You may request return of client-provided records at any time (per 21 NCAC 08N .0305).
Right to Portability: You may request your information in a transferable format.
Right to Deletion: You may request deletion of your information, subject to our legal retention requirements.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer at privacy@kgob.com or call 1-844-499-3355. We will respond to all requests within 30 days.

7. Data Breach Notification

In compliance with the North Carolina Identity Theft Protection Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-65), if we discover unauthorized access to your personal information that creates a material risk of harm, we will:

Notify you within 45 days of discovering the breach
Describe the types of information involved
Explain the steps we are taking to address the breach
Provide recommended steps for your protection
Offer credit monitoring services when appropriate
Notify the North Carolina Attorney General as required by law

8. Third-Party Service Providers

We may share your information with carefully selected service providers who assist us in delivering services, including:

Tax preparation software providers
Secure cloud hosting and backup services
Electronic filing services (IRS-authorized e-file providers)
Secure document portal services
Payment processing services

All service providers are required to maintain substantially similar security standards and have executed data processing agreements that protect your information. We retain the right to audit our service providers for compliance.

9. Regulatory Compliance

This Privacy Policy complies with:

21 NCAC 08N – North Carolina Administrative Code Professional Ethics and Conduct
AICPA Code of Professional Conduct – Section 1.700 Confidential Client Information Rule
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) – 15 U.S.C. § 6801-6809
FTC Safeguards Rule – 16 C.F.R. Part 314
IRS Publication 4557 – Safeguarding Taxpayer Data
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-65 – North Carolina Data Breach Notification Law

10. Filing Complaints

If you have concerns about our privacy practices, you may contact:

Our Privacy Officer

Email: privacy@kgob.com

Phone: 1-844-499-3355

NC Board of CPA Examiners

1101 Oberlin Road, Suite 104

Raleigh, NC 27605

Phone: (919) 733-4222

NC Attorney General

Consumer Protection Division

Website: ncdoj.gov

Federal Trade Commission

Website: ftc.gov/complaint

11. Policy Updates

We review and update this Privacy Policy at least annually. Material changes will be communicated to clients within 30 days of the effective date. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when it was most recently revised. Continued use of our services after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

This firm is licensed by the North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners pursuant to N.C. General Statutes Chapter 93.