Anne Arundel Accounting and Taxes, Inc.’s Terms of Service

Anne Arundel Accounting and Taxes, Inc.

Terms of Service
Updated 07.11.2026

1. Introduction and Overview

Thank you for selecting Anne Arundel Accounting and Taxes, Inc. (referred to as “Anne Arundel Accounting and Taxes, Inc.”, “AAATAX”, “the Firm”, “we”, “our”, “us”) to provide professional services to you (“Client”, “you”, “your”).

a. Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) apply to all services we provide and are incorporated by reference into and made part of any engagement letter, proposal, invoice, or other agreement for services issued by AAATAX (collectively, the “Agreement”).

The Agreement includes:

• These Terms of Service;

• Any engagement letter, proposal, or scope-of-work; and

• Any invoice(s) or other documents expressly incorporated by reference.

If there is a conflict between an engagement letter/proposal and these Terms, the engagement letter/proposal controls.

b. Accepting the Terms

By any of the following, you agree to be bound by this Agreement:

• Signing an engagement letter, proposal, or these Terms;

• Paying an invoice for our services; or

• Using or continuing to use our services after receiving notice of these Terms.

You represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind yourself individually and/or the business or other legal entity on whose behalf you are acting.

 

2. Scope of Services

Your engagement letter, proposal, and/or invoice will describe the specific services, deliverables, and fees for your engagement (for example: tax planning, tax preparation, advisory, or ongoing support).

We will perform only those services specifically described in the applicable documents. Any additional services will require a separate agreement or an updated scope and fee.

 

3. Fees, Billing, and Payment

We primarily bill using fixed fees pricing. Your engagement letter, proposal, or invoice will specify the exact fee for your services. Fixed-fee arrangements are based on the scope, complexity, and value of the services—not on the amount of time spent.

A. Fixed-Fee Services

• Fees for fixed-fee or value-priced engagements are due as outlined in your invoice or engagement letter.

• Once payment is made, failure to use, schedule, or participate in services you purchased does not entitle you to a refund or credit.

• If additional services are requested outside the scope of your fixed fee, we will provide an updated fee or proposal for approval before performing those services.

b. Hourly Services & Retainers

On limited occasions, we may provide services on an hourly basis. When hourly billing applies:

• A retainer is required upfront and must be paid before services begin.

• The retainer is earned as our time is incurred and is applied to your final billing.

• If any balance remains after completion of the engagement, the unused portion will be refunded.

• If hourly work exceeds the retainer, additional fees will be billed and must be paid in accordance with the invoice terms.

c. Invoices & Payment Terms

• Payment for all invoices is due within 30 days of the invoice date.

• Past-due balances may accrue interest at 3% per month.

• You have 30 days from the invoice date to dispute charges in writing. After that period, you waive the right to dispute.

• All outstanding invoices must be fully paid before any deliverables are released. Work-in-progress will not be delivered if there is an unpaid balance.

d. Nonpayment & Suspension of Services

We may suspend or terminate services for late or unpaid invoices.
We are not responsible for penalties, interest, or missed deadlines resulting from nonpayment or delays caused by your failure to provide required information.

 

4. Client Responsibilities

You agree to:

• Provide complete and accurate information and records needed for us to perform our services;

• Respond to our requests and questions in a timely manner; and

• Review all deliverables and notify us promptly of any questions or concerns.

Failure to provide necessary information, documents, or responses does not constitute a basis for a refund or credit.

 

5. Guarantees

a. Tax Planning Fee Protection

We will refund up to 100% of the fee you paid for your tax strategy and planning service when both of the following conditions are met:

1. You provided all required documentation and information needed to complete your tax plan, in the form and manner requested by our Firm; and

2. Your completed tax plan does not identify estimated tax savings at least equal to 2x the fee you paid for the plan, based on the information you provided and current tax law at the time the plan is prepared.

“Estimated tax savings” are estimates only and are based solely on the facts and assumptions you provide. If your actual facts or circumstances differ from those provided (for example, your income, deductions, or business activity change), your actual tax savings may differ from the estimated savings and no refund will be due on that basis.

 

b. Tax Preparation Fee Protection

We will refund up to 100% of the fee you paid for our tax preparation service for any interest or penalties related to the accuracy of our preparation and filing of your tax return that are directly caused by our Firm.

Direct Firm-caused errors include, but are not limited to:

• Information entered on the tax return that does not match the information you provided; or

• Omissions from the tax return where the omitted information was timely and accurately provided by you.

This guarantee does not apply to:

• Inaccuracies or penalties resulting from incorrect, incomplete, or late information provided by you;

• Penalties or interest caused by your failure to provide requested information in a timely manner; or

• Any tax, interest, or penalties arising from positions you chose to take against our advice.

If an error covered by this guarantee occurs, our obligation is limited to a refund of up to 100% of the fee you paid us for the affected tax return(s).

 

6. Termination and Withdrawal

Either party may terminate the engagement at any time by written notice.

We may withdraw from the engagement for any reason, including but not limited to:

• Nonpayment of fees;

• Failure to comply with this Agreement; or

• Our determination that professional standards require withdrawal.

If the engagement ends before completion, you agree to pay for all services performed and expenses incurred through the effective date of termination. We are not responsible for missed deadlines, penalties, or interest that arise after services are suspended or terminated.

 

7. Proprietary Information and Firm Materials

Our methods, tools, templates, documents, forms, checklists, questionnaires, letters, and other materials (including any created during your engagement) are our intellectual property.

You receive a limited license to use these materials only within your own business or personal use and for your internal purposes. You and your agents may not copy, distribute, or make these materials available to anyone outside your organization without our written consent. This applies to all formats (digital, paper, or otherwise).

 

8. Conflicts of Interest

If we determine, in our sole discretion, that a conflict of interest exists that impairs our ability to continue in accordance with professional standards, we may suspend or terminate services and may be unable to issue work product.

 

9. Client Portals and Data Transmission

We use TaxDome as a secure online workspace to exchange information and deliverables.

You acknowledge and agree that:

• TaxDome is a data transfer tool, not a permanent storage solution. You are responsible for downloading and maintaining your own copies of all files. Information may be removed from the portal at our discretion.

• We are not responsible for the operations or security of TaxDome, nor for issues arising from your misuse of the portal.

• If you choose to send or receive confidential information via email or other non-secure methods, you accept all associated risks. We are not responsible for unauthorized access, alteration, transmission issues, or viruses once data is sent by a method you requested or authorized.

 

10. Use of Third-Party Service Providers and Offshore Professionals

We may use employees, contractors, subcontracotrs, third-party service providers, technology provides, administrative support providers, bookkeeping processionals, tax professionals and and other professionsal to assist in providing services to clients. These individuals or providers my abe located within or outside of the United States.

We may share client information with these individuals or providers when reasonably necessary for them to perform assigned work on our behalf, including tax preparation and other services.  This may involve sharing your confidential information with them, including Social Security Numbers or Tax Identification Numbers. 

We require such individuals and providers to maintain confidentiality or client information, use information only for authorized purposes, and follow reasonable privacy and data-security safegaurds. We limite access to client information based on the level of access needed to complete assigned work.

Our frim remains responsible for supervising the services performed on behalf of our clients and for maintaining reasonable policie sand proceedures to protect client informaiton.  

inCertain tax return information may not be disclosed to to anyone outside the United States unless required client consent has been obtained. When consent is required by law, including under Internal Revenue Code Section 7216 and related guidance, we will request a seerate written consent before disclosing tax return information.  If you consent is not provided, we may restirct access to your information and assign work only to authorized U.S base personnel or determine that we are not able to provide certain services. 

By engaging us, you consent to these disclosures as reasonably necessary to provide services. In certain cases, we may request additional written consent.

11. Records Management

a. Your Records

We will return original documents you provide at or before the conclusion of the engagement. Our copies are for documentation only and do not replace your records.

You are responsible for keeping complete and accurate books and records, including financial statements, schedules, tax returns, and deliverables we provide. If deliverables are provided via portal, you must download and save them within 30 days.

Professional standards preclude us from being the sole repository of your original data or records.

b. Our Workpapers

Our workpapers and internal documents are our property and remain under our control. Copies will not be distributed without your written request and our written consent.

We maintain workpapers in accordance with our record retention policy and applicable laws. Our current policy is to retain workpapers for three years, after which they may be destroyed. Catastrophic events or deterioration may result in earlier loss of records.

 

12. Requests from Regulators, Courts, and Other Parties

Regulators and other authorized parties may request access to our workpapers or testimony.

If we receive a request, summons, or subpoena related to your engagement and are permitted to do so, we will notify you as soon as practicable. You may, at your cost and within the time allowed for our response, pursue legal action to limit disclosure. If you do not act, or no protective order is obtained, we may comply with the request.

If we are not a party to the proceeding, you agree to reimburse us for our time, expenses, and our legal counsel’s fees incurred in responding.

 

13. Confidentiality and PII

We treat all client information, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII) such as addresses, bank information, and Social Security numbers, as confidential in accordance with AICPA standards and applicable laws.

You agree to provide only the information necessary for us to perform the services under this Agreement.

 

14. Referrals to Other Professionals

If we refer you to other professionals or products (for example, attorneys, bookkeepers, investment advisors, insurance agents, or software/tools):

• You are solely responsible for evaluating, selecting, and retaining them;

• We do not supervise their work or guarantee results; and

• We are not responsible for outcomes arising from services provided by those professionals or products, even if we referred them.

 

15. Limitations on Oral and Email Advice

We may discuss issues with you verbally or via email. Unless expressly provided as a formal written opinion or deliverable under a separate engagement, such communications are based on limited facts and research and may not represent a comprehensive analysis.

You accept responsibility—except where caused by our gross negligence or willful misconduct—for any consequences (including additional tax, penalties, or interest) arising from your decision to rely solely on oral or informal email advice rather than engaging us for formal written analysis.

If you want formal written advice, we will confirm scope and fees in a separate agreement.

 

16. Brokerage, Investment, and Digital Asset Statements

If you provide brokerage, investment advisory, or digital asset account statements, we will use them only as needed for the services described in your engagement.

We rely on the accuracy of these statements and do not verify them, monitor transactions, provide investment advice, or supervise anyone managing your accounts.

 

17. No Legal or Investment Advice

Unless expressly stated in your engagement letter:

• Our services do not include legal advice; and

• Our services do not include investment advice.

You should consult your attorney or investment advisor for those matters.

 

18. Electronic Communication and Data Storage

We may transmit and store data using internet-based applications and cloud services. We use reasonable measures to maintain security in accordance with applicable laws and professional standards.

You acknowledge that no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure and that we cannot control all risks of unauthorized access or interception. By engaging us, you consent to electronic transmission and storage of your data and accept these inherent risks.

 

19. Marketing and Educational Communications

From time to time, we may send newsletters, updates, or explanations of technical developments. These communications are for general educational and marketing purposes only and are not professional advice on which you should rely. They do not create an engagement or ongoing monitoring obligation.

 

20. Federally Authorized Practitioner–Client Privilege

Internal Revenue Code §7525 may provide limited confidentiality privileges for certain tax advice communicated with federally authorized tax practitioners. This privilege is narrow and generally does not apply to:

• Your underlying records;

• State tax issues; or

• Many civil or criminal proceedings.

You are responsible for asserting any privilege and avoiding inadvertent waiver through disclosure. Contact us promptly if you believe privilege may apply or have questions.

 

21. Dispute Resolution – Mediation

If a dispute arises out of or relates to this Agreement (other than disputes solely about fees) and cannot be resolved through discussion, the parties agree first to attempt resolution through mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Accounting and Related Services Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures.

Unless otherwise agreed, mediation will take place in Maryland. Mediation discussions are confidential and treated as settlement discussions. The mediator may not testify for either party in later proceedings. Mediation costs are shared equally; each party bears its own legal fees.

 

22. Limitation of Liability

Our liability for all claims, damages, and costs arising from negligent acts, errors, or omissions in this engagement is limited to:

• The total fees you paid to Anne Arundel Accounting and Taxes, Inc. for the specific service giving rise to the claim, or

• $500, if no fees were charged for that service.

23. Limitation of Damages

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for:

• Lost profits;

• Indirect, special, incidental, punitive, consequential, or similar damages;

even if you have advised us of the possibility of such damages.

24. Indemnification

Unless otherwise stated in your engagement letter, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Anne Arundel Accounting and Taxes, Inc. and its partners, principals, shareholders, officers, directors, members, employees, agents, and assigns from any and all third-party claims arising from this engagement, including associated costs and attorneys’ fees, except to the extent such claims result from our gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

 

25. Venue, Jurisdiction, and Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought in the courts of the State of Maryland, which the parties agree is the proper and most convenient venue. The parties consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

 

26. Timing for Claims

Any claim arising out of this Agreement must be commenced within one (1) year from the date our services conclude as described in your engagement letter, regardless of any longer period allowed by law.

A claim includes any demand for money or services, filing of a lawsuit, or initiation of arbitration against us.

 

27. Insurance

We will maintain accountants’ professional liability and cyber liability insurance during the engagement and for 1 year afterward, with an insurer authorized in Maryland.

Upon your written request, we will provide a certificate of insurance showing minimum limits per claim and in the aggregate.

 

28. Independent Contractor

We act as an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement creates a partnership, joint venture, employment, fiduciary, or similar relationship between you and us.

Our obligations are solely those of Anne Arundel Accounting and Taxes, Inc. No partner, principal, employee, or agent shall have personal liability to you arising from this engagement.

 

29. Force Majeure

Neither party is liable for delays or failure to perform due to causes beyond reasonable control, including fire, natural disasters, acts of God, war, terrorism, labor disputes, epidemics or pandemics (as defined by the CDC), or government orders.

A Force Majeure event does not relieve you of your obligations to pay outstanding invoices or indemnification obligations under this Agreement.

 

30. Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

 

31. Survival

The following provisions survive termination of this Agreement: Limitation of Liability, Limitation of Damages, Indemnification, Timing for Claims, Venue and Governing Law, Records Management, and any other provisions that by their nature should survive.

 

32. Assignment

This Agreement is binding upon and inures to the benefit of each party’s successors and permitted assigns, subject to applicable laws and regulations.

 

33. Electronic Signatures and Counterparts

Electronic signatures (including scanned signatures, e-signature tools, and touchscreen signatures) have the same force and effect as manual signatures.

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts; together they constitute one agreement.

 

34. Entire Agreement

This Agreement (including these Terms of Service and any engagement letters, proposals, or invoices that incorporate them) is the entire agreement between you and Anne Arundel Accounting and Taxes, Inc. and supersedes all prior oral or written understandings regarding the subject matter.

Any changes must be in writing and signed or acknowledged by both parties.

 

Acknowledgment

By signing an engagement letter, paying an invoice, or using our services after receiving these Terms, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Agreement.