Lakeline Tax Website Terms of Service (TOS)

Last Updated: April 1, 2025

Welcome to Lakeline Tax and Bookkeeping Services, Inc. (“Lakeline Tax”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”). These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of our website, www.lakelinetax.com (the “Website”), and the tax preparation, tax planning, bookkeeping, and tax resolution services we offer (collectively, the “Services”). By accessing or using our Website and Services, you (“Client”, “you” or “your”) acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not use the Website or Services.

We provide professional tax-related services to clients across all 50 U.S. states and internationally (including India and other countries). These include individual and business tax preparation, tax planning and advisory, bookkeeping and accounting, and IRS/state tax resolution, among other services. Your use of our Services anywhere in the world is subject to these Terms, and you are responsible for ensuring that your use complies with all applicable local laws. Specific features or services may be subject to additional guidelines or agreements, which will supplement these Terms as applicable.

1. Overview of Services

Lakeline Tax operates the Website to provide information about our tax preparation, tax planning, bookkeeping, and tax resolution Services, and to enable Clients to engage with us through an online portal and related tools. Our Services include, but are not limited to:

• Tax Preparation and Filing: Comprehensive individual and business tax preparation services, including e-filing of federal and state tax returns.

• Tax Planning and Advisory: Proactive tax planning consultations and advice to optimize tax positions for individuals and businesses.

• Bookkeeping and Accounting: Ongoing bookkeeping, accounting, and financial record-keeping services to support your business operations.

• Tax Resolution: Assistance with IRS and state tax issues, such as audit representation, resolving tax debts, filing back taxes, and negotiating with tax authorities.

• Client Portal Access: Secure online portal for document sharing, real-time collaboration, and ongoing support related to the above services.

Any specific terms or requirements related to a particular service may be outlined in a separate engagement letter or agreement. In the event of a conflict between these Terms and any service-specific agreement, the terms of the service-specific agreement will prevail for that particular service.

2. Client Responsibilities and Representations

By registering an account on our Website or otherwise using our Services, you make the following representations, warranties, and agreements about yourself (and, if applicable, your business or organization):

• Accuracy of Information: You represent that all information you provide to us (including during account creation or service intake) is truthful, accurate, current, and complete to the best of your knowledge. You agree to promptly update such information if it changes.

• Authority: If you are using our Services on behalf of a business or other entity, you represent that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms. You will ensure that each person authorized to act on behalf of your business in using our Services is a legitimate representative with permission to do so.

• Providing Data and Documents: You have all necessary rights and permissions to provide any data, documents, or materials that you submit to Lakeline Tax in the course of using the Services. This includes financial records, personal information, and any other content you upload or share with us.

• Timely Cooperation: You agree to timely provide all information, documentation, and cooperation reasonably required for us to perform the Services. This includes responding to information requests, reviewing drafts of filings or reports, and communicating any changes or errors you discover.

• Review of Deliverables: You are responsible for reviewing all documents, filings, or other deliverables prepared by Lakeline Tax for accuracy and completeness before signing or submitting them to any third party (such as the IRS or state tax authorities). If you identify any inaccuracies, you will promptly notify us before submission.

• Recordkeeping: You acknowledge that you are responsible for maintaining your own copies of records and supporting documentation for your tax returns or financial statements, as required by law (e.g., IRS record retention requirements). While we may store documents in our portal for a period, you should keep your own backup of all important records.

• Compliance with Laws: You agree to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards in your use of the Services. This includes not using the Services to engage in any unlawful activities or to further any fraudulent purpose.

3. Accounts and Use of the Website

In order to access certain features of our Services (such as the client portal or online tools), you may need to create an account on the Website. Your use of the Website and account is subject to the following terms:

3.1 Account Security and Authorized Use

• Account Credentials: If you create an account, you must treat your login credentials (username and password) as confidential. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and ensuring that only you (and/or authorized representatives of your business, if applicable) access the account. You agree not to share your password or give any other party access to your account.

• Responsibility for Account Activity: You are solely responsible for all activities that occur under your account, whether or not you personally authorized them. If you allow employees or agents to access the account, you must ensure they comply with these Terms. Lakeline Tax is entitled to assume that any actions taken through your account are authorized by you.

• Notification of Breach: You agree to immediately notify us at support@lakelinetax.com if you suspect or become aware of any unauthorized access to your account or any breach of your account security (for example, lost or stolen passwords or unauthorized use). We may ask you to provide information about the incident and to cooperate in any investigation of the incident.

• Two-Factor Authentication: We reserve the right to require two-factor authentication or other security measures for account access. Where available, you agree to follow our security procedures such as two-factor authentication to further protect your account.

3.2 Acceptable Use and Prohibited Activities

You agree to use the Website and Services only for their intended purpose and in a lawful, respectful manner. You will not:

• Violate Laws or Regulations: Use the Website or Services in any way that violates any applicable federal, state, local, or international law or regulation, or that would cause Lakeline Tax to be in violation of any law or regulation.

• Provide False Information: Submit false, fraudulent, or misleading information through the Website or in connection with the Services. All information you provide must be truthful and accurate as per Section 2 above.

• Interfere with the Website: Introduce any viruses, malware, Trojan horses, worms, logic bombs, or other harmful code to the Website, or otherwise attempt to interfere with the proper functioning of the Website. You will not attempt to bypass any security measures or access controls implemented on the Website.

• Automated Access: Use any robot, scraper, crawler, or other automated means to access or scrape data from the Website for any purpose without our express written permission. This includes not using any automated system that sends more request messages to our servers than a human could reasonably produce in the same time.

• Credential Sharing or Misuse: Misuse the Website by using another user’s account or impersonating any person or entity, or by sharing your own account credentials with others in violation of Section 3.1.

• Overburden Infrastructure: Take any action that imposes an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on our website infrastructure. You agree not to engage in denial-of-service attacks, “spam” attacks, repeated bulk requests, or any other behavior that could overwhelm or harm the Website’s systems.

• Unauthorized Data Use: Access, download, or use data or content from the Website for purposes outside the scope of the Services or in any manner that violates these Terms. This means you will not harvest, scrape, or collect any information from the Website to use for your own commercial purposes outside of your engagement with Lakeline Tax.

3.3 Privacy and Data Use on the Website

• Compliance with Privacy Laws: To the extent you have access to any personal information through the Website (for example, if you are a business client accessing information about your employees or customers), you agree to comply with all applicable privacy and data protection laws (such as laws governing personal data of individuals). This includes GDPR, CCPA, or other laws as applicable, and any commitments in your own privacy policy if you have one.

• Use of Information: You will only access, use, or download information from the Website as necessary for the purpose of using our Services and as authorized by these Terms or by us. Any personal information obtained through the Service must be kept confidential and used solely for legitimate purposes related to the Services.

• Degree of Care: You will protect any confidential information or personal data obtained through the Website with at least the same degree of care that you use to protect your own sensitive information, and in no case less than a reasonable standard of care.

• No Unauthorized Disclosure: You will not disclose any information obtained through the Services to any third party except as permitted by these Terms or required by law. If you inadvertently obtain access to another clients’ information, you must immediately stop viewing such information and notify Lakeline Tax.

3.4 Security Incidents

If you become aware of any security incident or potential vulnerability related to the Website or your use of the Services (such as a data breach, or if you discover a flaw in the Website’s security), you agree to notify Lakeline Tax promptly (no later than 48 hours from discovery). You can report security concerns to support@lakelinetax.com. You agree to cooperate with us in any investigation and mitigation efforts regarding such security issues. We take security seriously, and any users found to have deliberately compromised security may have their access terminated and could face legal consequences.

4. Fees and Payment Terms

4.1 Fees for Services

Fees for our Services will be communicated to you in advance, typically through a proposal, quote, or an engagement letter outlining the scope of work. Fees may be structured as one-time charges (for example, a fee for preparing a specific tax return) or as recurring subscription fees (for example, a monthly bookkeeping service subscription). All fees are stated in U.S. Dollars (USD) and payments must be made in USD unless otherwise specified.

We reserve the right to require upfront payment or a retainer before commencing services, as specified in your engagement details. Any estimates of fees provided are based on the information you have given us; if the information is incomplete or changes, the actual fees may vary. We will inform you of any fee adjustments before proceeding with work that would incur additional charges.

4.2 Billing and Subscription

For Services billed on a subscription or recurring basis (such as ongoing bookkeeping or advisory services):

• Automatic Renewal: Subscription-based services will automatically renew at the end of each billing cycle (e.g., monthly or annually) unless you cancel the service in accordance with the cancellation policy (see Section 5). By providing a payment method for a subscription service, you authorize us to charge that payment method for each renewal until you cancel.

• Billing Cycle: Your subscription will begin on the date of your first payment and continue for the period indicated (e.g., one month, one year). It will then renew for successive periods of the same length unless canceled prior to the renewal date. We will typically bill your authorized payment method at the start of each cycle.

• No Partial Refunds: If you cancel a subscription (or if we terminate it due to your breach) mid-cycle, the cancellation will take effect at the end of the then-current billing period. We do not provide pro-rated or partial refunds for unused time in a billing cycle. You will continue to have access to the Service until the end of the paid period, after which the service will cease.

For one-time services, we may bill 100% upfront or may require a deposit with the balance due upon completion, as specified in your engagement. All invoices are due upon receipt unless a different due date is stated.

4.3 Payment Methods and Authorization

We accept various payment methods for our Services, including but not limited to credit/debit cards (processed via Stripe), bank transfers or payments through Zelle, and mobile payments such as Venmo. By providing your payment information, you authorize Lakeline Tax and our third-party payment processors to charge the specified payment method for the fees due for the Services you select. This includes any applicable taxes or transaction fees (unless otherwise noted, prices for Services do not include sales, use, value-added, or other taxes, which may be added as required by law).

When you make a payment, the charge may appear under our Company name or an identifiable descriptor. For example, charges may display as “Lakeline Tax” or a related identifier on your bank or card statement. By agreeing to these Terms, you consent to this billing descriptor. If you have any questions about a charge on your statement, please contact us for clarification.

You agree that:

• Authorized Charges: We may charge your provided payment method for the agreed fees and any applicable renewal fees without additional notice, provided that you have authorized the charges (for instance, by signing up for a subscription or approving a one-time service fee). It is your responsibility to ensure your payment information is up to date to avoid interruption of Services.

• Failed Payments: If a payment fails or is declined (for example, due to an expired card or insufficient funds), we may retry the payment. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to Services if fees remain unpaid. You agree that we may also charge you for any fees incurred due to the failed payment (e.g., bank fees or charges by the payment processor for the failed transaction), to the extent permitted by law.

• Disputed Charges: If you believe there is an error or unauthorized charge, you agree to contact us promptly to resolve the issue. You will not initiate a chargeback or reversal with your bank or card issuer without first attempting to resolve the matter with us. We are here to help and will work with you in good faith to address billing disputes. Unauthorized chargebacks may be considered a breach of these Terms if the charge was valid and these Terms were not followed.

5. Fulfillment, Cancellations, and Refunds

5.1 Fulfillment of Services

Lakeline Tax is committed to delivering Services in a professional and timely manner. Fulfillment of Services refers to our completion of the work agreed upon (e.g., delivery of a finished tax return, completion of a bookkeeping period, providing a tax consultation, etc.). Once a service has been fully performed or a deliverable has been provided to you, that service is considered “fulfilled.”

Given the nature of professional services (which involve time, expertise, and in many cases immediate advisory value), all payments for Services that have been completed or fulfilled are non-refundable. We strive for client satisfaction, so if you have concerns about a delivered service, please contact us and we will attempt to address the issue. However, completed work cannot be undone, and thus fees for services already rendered will not be refunded in most circumstances.

5.2 Cancellation by Client

We understand that circumstances can change. You may request to cancel or discontinue Services as follows:

• One-Time Services: For one-time, stand-alone services (such as a single-year tax return preparation), you may cancel the service before we have begun working on it. If you request a cancellation within 24 hours of engaging us and before we have started performing the service, you will not be charged or will receive a full refund of any fees paid. Once we have begun work (e.g., we have started analyzing your documents or preparing your return), cancellation may still be requested, but any fees paid will be refundable only at our discretion and typically we will charge for work performed up to the point of cancellation.

• Ongoing or Subscription Services: For ongoing engagements or subscription-based services (e.g., monthly bookkeeping or a tax advisory service), you may cancel at any time with at least 30 days’ notice in writing (email to our support address is acceptable for notice). The cancellation will become effective at the end of the 30-day notice period or the end of the current billing cycle, whichever is later. You will be responsible for payment of services rendered up through the effective cancellation date. No refunds will be given for any period of a subscription already paid (service will continue until the period ends).

To cancel services, you should notify us in writing (via email or the portal communication) and obtain confirmation from us of your cancellation request. Simply stopping usage of the service or failing to pay does not constitute an official cancellation.

5.3 Termination by Company; Effect of Termination

Termination by Lakeline Tax: We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Website, your account, or any Services at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice. Reasons we may terminate or suspend service include, but are not limited to: (a) your breach of any of these Terms or any engagement letter; (b) we are unable to verify or authenticate information you provided and you do not promptly provide requested verification; (c) we believe your actions or omissions may result in legal liability or harm to us or other clients; or (d) we decide in our sole discretion to discontinue offering the Service in your region or generally. In most cases, if the issue is fixable, we will attempt to warn or work with you before termination; however, in egregious or urgent cases we may terminate immediately.

Effect of Termination or Cancellation: Upon termination or cancellation of services for any reason, your right to use the Services and access the Website or client portal will cease. If your account is terminated or your engagement ends, you must stop using any secure areas of the Website and any of our software or tools provided as part of the Service. We may immediately deactivate or delete your account and all associated data and files, and/or bar any further access to such data and files. You are advised to secure and backup any information or documents you have provided or received through our Services prior to cancellation or termination.

Termination or cancellation of Services does not relieve you of any obligation to pay for Services rendered up to the date of termination. If you had pre-paid for a service that was not yet fulfilled as of termination (for example, you paid for a year of service and terminate after 6 months), we may in our discretion provide a pro rata refund for the portion of services not rendered, less any costs or damages we incur as a result of your early termination or breach. Any provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive termination (such as limitations of liability, indemnities, confidentiality obligations, dispute resolution provisions, etc.) will remain in effect after termination.

6. Payment Processing and Security

All payments for our Services are processed using trusted third-party payment processors, such as Stripe (for card payments), Zelle, Venmo, or other processors as we may utilize from time to time. When you make a payment through the Website or via an electronic invoice, your payment details are handled by these third-party platforms over secure, encrypted connections (HTTPS).

Security of Payment Information: Lakeline Tax does not store your full credit card numbers or bank account details on our systems. Any sensitive payment information you provide is transmitted directly to and stored by the payment processor in accordance with their security and privacy policies. These processors are PCI-DSS compliant (for card transactions) or follow equivalent security standards for their payment methods. While we may retain basic transaction information (such as your name, contact, the amount, and date of the transaction), this is for record-keeping and cannot be used to charge your card without your authorization.

Third-Party Payment Platforms: By making a payment, you may also be subject to the terms and conditions and privacy policies of the third-party payment platform (e.g., Stripe’s Services Agreement or Zelle/Venmo user agreements). Lakeline Tax is not responsible for and makes no warranties regarding the services of these third-party payment processors. Any errors, security breaches, interruptions, or issues that occur on the payment processor’s side are beyond our control. We disclaim liability for any losses or damages you may suffer as a result of the actions or omissions of third-party processors. However, we will reasonably assist you in contacting or communicating with a processor to resolve an issue (for instance, helping to trace a transaction).

Always ensure that you are using our official Website or trusted communication for payments. We will never ask you to send payment information via email or insecure channels. If you have any concerns that a payment request may be fraudulent or not genuinely from us, please contact us directly to verify.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

All content and materials available on the Website and through the Services, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, video, software, and design elements (collectively, the “Content”), as well as the selection, arrangement, and presentation of the Content, are the property of Lakeline Tax or its licensors and are protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property or proprietary rights laws.

• Lakeline Tax Trademarks: The company name “Lakeline Tax & Bookkeeping Services Inc,” our logos, and any product or service names or slogans displayed on the Website are trademarks or service marks of Lakeline Tax (whether registered or unregistered). You must not use any Lakeline Tax marks without our prior written permission. All other marks on the Website are the property of their respective owners.

• Limitations on Use of Content: You are granted a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Website and its Content for your personal or internal business use in connection with obtaining our Services, in accordance with these Terms. No other use of the Content or Website is authorized. You agree not to copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, create derivative works from, publicly display or perform, republish, download, store, transmit, or exploit any of the Content or features of the Service, in whole or in part, except as explicitly permitted in these Terms or with our prior written consent.

• Proprietary Rights: These Terms do not transfer any intellectual property rights to you. As between you and Lakeline Tax, all rights, title, and interest in and to the Website, Services, and Content (except for content you provide) will remain with Lakeline Tax and/or its third-party partners. You will not remove, obscure, or alter any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary rights notices affixed to or contained within any Content or the Website.

• Third-Party Content: If any third-party content (such as third-party software libraries, stock images, or embedded widgets) is included or made available through the Website or Services, such content is owned by the respective third parties. Your use of that third-party content may be subject to additional terms of the third party. Lakeline Tax’s inclusion of third-party content in our Services does not grant you any license or right to use it except within the context of using our Services.

Any feedback, suggestions, or ideas you provide to us regarding the Services (“Feedback”) is entirely voluntary, and we will be free to use such Feedback as we see fit and without any obligation or compensation to you.

8. Confidentiality

During the course of our relationship, either you or Lakeline Tax (each, for purposes of this Section, a “Party”) may disclose or make available to the other Party certain non-public, confidential, or proprietary information. This Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial information, business records, trade secrets, customer data, technical data, strategies, or any other information that is either identified as confidential at the time of disclosure or that should reasonably be understood to be confidential given the nature of the information and the context of disclosure.

Each Party (as the “Recipient” of Confidential Information) agrees to the following obligations with respect to the Confidential Information of the other Party (the “Discloser”):

• Use Restriction: The Recipient shall use the Discloser’s Confidential Information solely for the purposes of fulfilling its obligations or exercising its rights under these Terms (and any applicable service agreement) and for no other purpose.

• Non-Disclosure: The Recipient shall not disclose or permit access to the Discloser’s Confidential Information to any third party, except to the Recipient’s own employees, agents, or subcontractors (“Representatives”) who need to know such information for the purposes permitted by these Terms and who are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as protective as those herein. The Recipient will be responsible for any breach of this Section by its Representatives.

• Standard of Care: The Recipient must protect the confidentiality of the Discloser’s Confidential Information by using the same degree of care that it uses to safeguard its own confidential information of a similar nature, but in no event less than a reasonable standard of care. Confidential Information should be stored and handled in a secure manner to prevent unauthorized disclosure.

• Exclusions: Confidential Information does not include information that the Recipient can demonstrate: (a) was already lawfully known to or in the possession of the Recipient without obligation of confidentiality before receiving it from the Discloser; (b) is obtained by the Recipient from a third party who had the right to disclose it, without breaching any confidentiality obligation to the Discloser; (c) is or becomes generally available to the public through no act or omission of the Recipient (i.e., not due to the Recipient’s breach of this Section); or (d) was or is independently developed by the Recipient without reference to or use of the Discloser’s Confidential Information.

• Compelled Disclosure: If the Recipient is legally required (by court order, subpoena, law, or regulation) to disclose any of the Discloser’s Confidential Information, the Recipient shall, to the extent permitted, give prompt written notice to the Discloser so the Discloser may seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy. The Recipient shall disclose only that portion of Confidential Information which it is legally required to disclose and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain confidential treatment for any Confidential Information that is so disclosed.

These confidentiality obligations shall continue for five (5) years after the termination of these Terms or our Services, or indefinitely with respect to trade secrets, personal data, and any particularly sensitive information.

9. Data Protection and Privacy

Protecting your personal data is very important to us. In addition to the confidentiality obligations above, we maintain a separate Privacy Policy that describes how we collect, use, store, and disclose personal information. By using our Services, you also agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy (available on our Website). We summarize key privacy and data protection commitments below:

• Compliance with Data Protection Laws: Lakeline Tax complies with applicable data protection and privacy laws, including, as relevant, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), among other federal and state privacy laws. This means we implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard personal data, and we honor certain rights that individuals may have under these laws (such as rights to access or delete personal data, when applicable).

• Use of Personal Data: We will only use your personal information as necessary to provide our Services to you, to comply with our legal obligations (such as tax law requirements), and as otherwise described in our Privacy Policy. We do not sell personal data to third parties. We may share data with trusted third-party service providers as needed for business operations (for example, secure cloud storage, payment processing, or sending email communications), but always under obligations of confidentiality and for specified purposes.

• International Data Transfer: If you are located outside of the United States, please note that your personal data may be transferred to and processed in the United States. We will take steps to ensure that adequate protections are in place for such international transfers as required by applicable law. By using the Services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the U.S. (and potentially other countries) as needed to provide the Services.

• Your Privacy Rights: Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain legal rights with respect to your personal data. For example, under the GDPR (for EU residents) you have rights to access, correct, or delete your data, and under the CCPA (for California residents) you have rights to know, delete, or opt-out of certain data sharing. Lakeline Tax honors valid exercises of these rights. Details on how to exercise these rights are provided in our Privacy Policy or can be obtained by contacting us at privacy@lakelinetax.com.

• Data Security: We employ security measures (such as encryption, access controls, and secure data storage practices) to protect personal data from unauthorized access or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure, so while we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You also play a role in security by keeping your account credentials safe as described in Section 3.1.

If you have any questions about how we handle your personal information, please review our Privacy Policy or reach out to us directly. By using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy.

10. Disclaimers of Warranties

10.1 “As Is” Provision: THE WEBSITE, THE SERVICES, AND ALL INFORMATION, CONTENT, AND MATERIALS PROVIDED ON OR THROUGH THE WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, LAKELINE TAX DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO THE WEBSITE OR SERVICES, INCLUDING (BUT NOT limited to) ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTY ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE WEBSITE OR SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR COMPLETELY SECURE, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT the WEBSITE, the SERVERS, or ANY EMAIL SENT FROM US ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. Any information or materials obtained through the Website are used at your own discretion and risk. We make no warranty or representation regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content obtainable through the Services, or regarding any results that may be obtained from use of the Services.

10.2 No Professional Advice Warranty: No advice or information (whether oral or written) obtained by you from Lakeline Tax through the Website or in the course of using the Services shall create any warranty not expressly stated in these Terms. You acknowledge that any tax or financial information provided by us is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation unless you have engaged us for personalized advice. We do not guarantee any particular outcomes (such as a specific tax refund amount or resolution result) as those depend on factors beyond our control (including information you provide and government processing).

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so some of the above exclusions may not apply to you. In such cases, any implied warranties are limited to the minimum scope and duration permitted by applicable law.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Lakeline Tax and its owners, directors, employees, affiliates, agents, and contractors shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages (including, without limitation, damages for lost profits or revenues, loss of data, loss of goodwill, business interruption, or any other intangible losses) arising out of or in connection with your access to or use of (or inability to use) the Website or Services, whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, or any other legal theory, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Lakeline Tax’s total cumulative liability to you for any claims arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Website, or the Services, shall not exceed the greater of: (a) the total amount of fees you paid to us for Services in the three (3) months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the liability, or (b) $25.00 USD. This means that if you have not paid any fees to us, we owe you no damages, and if you have, our liability is capped at $25 or the 3-month fee total, whichever is higher (but note, if one of those is not applicable, the other applies; in most cases for a paying client the 3-month fees would likely exceed $25).

No Liability for Third Parties: Lakeline Tax will not be liable for any delays, failures, or damages caused by third-party services or products, including without limitation the performance of third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe, Zelle, Venmo), mail carriers, internet service providers, or any third-party software or hardware. Similarly, we are not responsible for any malware or viruses that may infect your computer or other equipment due to downloading or accessing any content from our Website (you are responsible for implementing security measures on your own systems).

Because some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for certain damages, the above limitation may not apply to you in its entirety. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Lakeline Tax, its parent, affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents (the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, judgments, awards, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that arise out of or relate to:

• Your Use of Services: Any use of the Website or Services by you (or anyone using your account) that is in violation of these Terms or of any law or regulation. This includes, for example, claims arising from content you submit or actions you take through the Service.

• Breach of Terms: Your breach of any provision of these Terms, any warranty or representation you make herein, or any other agreement between you and Lakeline Tax (such as an engagement letter or separate service agreement).

• Third-Party Rights: Any allegation that any information or material you provided to Lakeline Tax (e.g., documents, data, or content) infringes or misappropriates the intellectual property, privacy, or other rights of a third party, or has caused harm to a third party.

• Other Acts or Omissions: Any other act or omission by you in connection with the Services that results in a claim against an Indemnified Party, except to the extent caused solely by our gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Lakeline Tax reserves the right, at our own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you. In that case, you agree to cooperate with our defense of such claim. You agree not to settle any such matter without the prior written consent of Lakeline Tax. We will use reasonable efforts to notify you of any claim, action, or proceeding covered by this indemnity upon becoming aware of it.

13. Dispute Resolution (Arbitration Agreement)

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. It requires that most disputes be resolved by binding arbitration rather than in court, and it limits the manner in which you can seek relief from us.

13.1 Agreement to Arbitrate

By agreeing to these Terms, you and Lakeline Tax agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation, or validity thereof, or to the use of the Services or Website (collectively, “Disputes”) shall be resolved exclusively by final and binding arbitration, except as expressly provided below.

You acknowledge and agree that you and Lakeline Tax waive the right to a trial by jury or to participate as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, collective, or representative proceeding in any respect. Individual arbitration is the only forum in which a Dispute will be resolved, and the arbitrator can only award relief to you as an individual claimant and not as a class representative or class member.

13.2 Arbitration Procedures

The arbitration will be administered by a neutral arbitration association (for example, the American Arbitration Association (AAA)) in accordance with its applicable Rules (e.g., the Commercial Arbitration Rules or Consumer Arbitration Rules, as appropriate). The seat or location of the arbitration shall be Austin, Texas, USA, unless otherwise agreed by both parties in writing. The arbitration shall be conducted in the English language. A single independent and impartial arbitrator will be appointed.

Arbitration Hearing and Decision: The parties may appear in person, via video/teleconference, or through the submission of documents, as agreed with the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall issue a written decision stating the essential findings and conclusions upon which the award is based. The arbitrator’s award shall be final and binding on the parties and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Costs: Each party shall bear its own costs and expenses of arbitration, including attorney’s fees, but the arbitrator has the authority to award the prevailing party its reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees, except where prohibited by law. Arbitration filing fees and arbitrator’s fees shall be allocated as required by the arbitration rules or as determined by the arbitrator.

13.3 Exceptions and Opt-Out

• Small Claims Court: Notwithstanding the foregoing agreement to arbitrate, either party may bring an individual action in small claims court for disputes or claims within that court’s jurisdiction, in Austin, Texas (or the small claims court of your county of residence if required by law).

• Injunctive Relief: Either party may seek injunctive or equitable relief in a court of law in order to stop unauthorized use or abuse of the Services or infringement of intellectual property rights. Seeking such legal relief will not be deemed a waiver of the right to arbitrate.

• Opt-Out Right: If you do not wish to resolve disputes by binding arbitration, you may opt out of this arbitration agreement within 30 days of first accepting these Terms by contacting us at support@lakelinetax.com in writing and stating your intention to opt out. This opt-out must include your name, address, and a clear statement that you do not agree to arbitration of disputes with Lakeline Tax. If you opt out of arbitration, any subsequent changes to these Terms (not including a change to the Arbitration section) will not give you a new right to opt out.

13.4 Governing Law for Arbitration

This arbitration agreement is made pursuant to a transaction involving interstate commerce, and the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16) will govern the interpretation and enforcement of this Section 13 (Dispute Resolution). The arbitrator will decide the rights and liabilities, if any, of you and Lakeline Tax. The dispute will not be consolidated with any other matters or joined with any other cases or parties. If any portion of this arbitration provision is found unenforceable, that portion shall be severed, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

By agreeing to arbitration, both parties are giving up their constitutional and statutory rights to go to court and have a trial in front of a judge or jury, and instead are accepting the use of a neutral arbitrator to resolve disputes.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms, and any dispute or claim (whether in contract, tort, or otherwise) arising out of or in connection with these Terms or your use of the Services, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, USA, except to the extent that federal law applies or other state or national law cannot be waived. This choice of Texas law applies regardless of your location, and regardless of any principles of conflicts of law that might otherwise apply the laws of a different jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction: Subject to the arbitration provisions above, you agree that any legal action (to the extent a court proceeding is permitted under these Terms) shall be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts located in Travis County, Texas (which includes Austin, Texas). You consent to the personal jurisdiction of these courts and waive any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum.

Global Use: We operate our business from the United States, but we serve clients throughout the U.S. and internationally. If you access the Website or use the Services from outside the United States, you do so on your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws. You agree that the laws of Texas (USA) will govern these Terms and any disputes, as stated above, regardless of your country of residence or the location from which you use Services. Nothing in these Terms affects any rights you might have as a consumer to rely on the mandatory provisions of the law of the country in which you reside, to the extent those laws are applicable and cannot be waived by contract.

15. Force Majeure

Lakeline Tax shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms if that failure or delay is due to causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters (e.g., floods, earthquakes, hurricanes), fire, epidemic or pandemic, acts of government (e.g., mandates, lockdowns, changes in law), war, terrorism, civil unrest, strikes or labor disputes, power failures, telecommunications or Internet disturbances, or any other events beyond our reasonable control (each a “Force Majeure” event).

During the existence of a Force Majeure event, our obligations under these Terms will be suspended to the extent and for the duration that they are affected by the event. Lakeline Tax will use reasonable efforts to mitigate the impact of the Force Majeure and resume full performance as soon as practicable. This clause does not excuse your obligation to pay for Services already rendered. However, if a Force Majeure event substantially prevents us from delivering a service you have paid for, we will work with you to either reschedule the service, provide a suitable substitute, or issue a refund at our discretion.

16. Entire Agreement and Severability

These Terms (along with any additional agreements or policies expressly incorporated by reference, such as our Privacy Policy or any applicable Engagement Letter) constitute the entire agreement between you and Lakeline Tax regarding the Website and the Services provided, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, regarding such subject matter. No oral or written information or advice given by any party shall create any warranties or contractual obligations other than those expressly stated in these Terms.

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be severed or limited to the minimum extent such that the remaining provisions of the Terms will continue in full force and effect. In other words, the invalid part will be cut out or narrowed, and the rest of the Terms will remain effective and enforceable.

No waiver of any term or condition of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term. A party’s failure to assert a right or enforce a provision under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

17. Changes to Terms

Lakeline Tax reserves the right to modify or update these Terms of Service at any time, in our sole discretion. If we make material changes, we will post the updated Terms on the Website and update the “Last Updated” date at the top. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically for any changes. Your continued use of the Website or Services after any changes to the Terms constitutes acceptance of those changes.

If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you should stop using the Website and Services, and, if applicable, cancel your account or engagement with us (subject to any surviving obligations). In certain cases, we may also notify you of updates to the Terms via email or other communication, especially if required by law. However, lack of such notification does not waive your responsibility to adhere to the updated Terms.

18. Electronic Consent and Digital Signature Compliance

18.1 Electronic Records and Communications

By accepting these Terms or engaging with our Services electronically, you consent to receive all communications, agreements, disclosures, notices, and documents electronically, including by email or through our client portal. You agree that such electronic communications satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

18.2 Digital Signatures

You acknowledge that any electronic signatures, whether digital or encrypted, included in or affixed to any agreement, engagement letter, tax forms, or other communications with Lakeline Tax, are intended to authenticate your identity and will be treated as your binding signature to the same extent as a handwritten signature. You agree not to contest the validity or enforceability of electronically signed documents based on the fact that they were signed electronically.

18.3 Consent Withdrawal

You may withdraw your consent to receive communications electronically at any time by contacting us in writing. If you withdraw consent, Lakeline Tax may terminate your account or limit your access to certain features or Services. Any withdrawal of consent will not affect the legal validity of any documents signed or received prior to the withdrawal.

19. Data Retention Policy

Lakeline Tax retains data as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected and to comply with legal, contractual, and regulatory obligations. Unless otherwise required by law:

• We retain client tax records, financial information, and communications for a period of at least seven (7) years following the completion of services, in accordance with IRS record-keeping requirements and industry best practices.

• If you have an account with us, your personal and financial data will be stored securely during the term of our relationship and for a reasonable period thereafter to resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and comply with our legal obligations.

• After the expiration of applicable retention periods, we may securely delete or anonymize personal data in our possession unless required to preserve it for legal or operational reasons.

You may request deletion of your data, subject to limitations imposed by tax laws, data retention statutes, and legitimate business interests. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy or contact support@lakelinetax.com.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about these Terms or our Services, or if you need to provide any notice under these Terms, you can contact us using the information below:

Lakeline Tax & Bookkeeping Services Inc
2521 Long Lasso Pass
Leander, Texas 78641, USA
Email: support@lakelinetax.com
Phone: +1 (512) 335-8037

Our business hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday (excluding federal holidays). We value our clients and users and will do our best to respond to inquiries in a timely manner.

By using the Lakeline Tax Website and Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms of Service and agree to be legally bound by them. Thank you for trusting Lakeline Tax with your tax and bookkeeping needs. We look forward to serving you with professionalism and integrity.