Easy Way Accounts is committed to protecting your privacy. As a registered Tax Agent, we are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and the strict confidentiality requirements of the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (TASA), including the TPB Code of Professional Conduct.
This policy outlines how we manage the personal information we collect, use, and disclose.
Kinds of Information We Collect:
The personal information we collect is necessary to provide you with our accounting, tax, and advisory services. This typically includes:
How We Collect It:
We primarily collect information directly from you (in person, via email, phone, or secure client portals). We may also collect information from third parties with your consent (e.g., your bank, the ATO, or your financial advisor).
2. Confidentiality and Disclosure (TPB Code Item 6)
Your confidentiality is our professional and legal priority.
Our Duty of Confidentiality:
Unless we have a legal duty to do so, we will not disclose any information relating to your affairs to a third party without your express permission.
Disclosure to Third Parties (Outsourcing & Technology):
As a modern, tech-based firm, we use trusted third-party software and service providers. Your information may be disclosed to these entities for the purpose of providing services to you. These disclosures require your permission:
| Disclosed To | Information Used For | Client Permission |
| Cloud Software Providers | Accounting software (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks), document storage, secure client portals, practice management tools. | Required (obtained via our Letter of Engagement or separate consent). |
| External Service Providers | Bookkeepers, data entry specialists, specialized tax consultants, or auditors we engage on your behalf. | Required (obtained via specific or general consent in the Letter of Engagement). |
| Government/Regulators | Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), Superannuation funds. | Required/Authorised by Law (often implied when engaging us for tax/compliance services). |
Overseas Disclosure (Cloud Storage):
Easy Way Accounts generally uses cloud servers based in Australia. However, some essential third-party software providers (e.g., global technology companies) may store or process data in overseas locations, such as The United States or Singapore.
By engaging our services, you acknowledge and consent to your data potentially being stored or accessed in these overseas locations.
3. Use of Tax File Numbers (TFNs)
We treat your TFN as sensitive information. We collect, use, and disclose your TFN only for the purpose of providing services to you under taxation law and as specifically authorised by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). We will never use or disclose your TFN for any other purpose.
4. Data Quality and Security (Modern Tech)
Data Security:
As a technology-driven firm, we take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Our measures include:
Data Retention:
In compliance with TASA, we retain your client records for a minimum of five (5) years after the completion of the tax agent service.
5. Access and Correction
You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to request that we correct any information that is inaccurate, out-of-date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading. Any Workpapers remain our Intellectual Property and at our discretion to hand our to you or third parties.
To request access or correction, please contact our Privacy Officer (details below). We will respond to your request within 30 days.
6. Making a Privacy Complaint
If you believe we have breached the Privacy Act, the APPs, or our TPB confidentiality obligations, please contact our Privacy Officer in writing.
We will acknowledge your complaint and aim to resolve it within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
7. Contacting Our Privacy Officer
Please direct all privacy-related questions or complaints to:
| Role: | Privacy Officer |
| Firm: | Easy Way Accounts |
| Email: | info@easywayaccounts.com.au |
For further information please read the TPB’s Information for Clients to understand your obligations to the ATO and ours. https://www.tpb.gov.au/factsheets – INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS FACTSHEET
Our website may link to external sites that are not operated by us. Please be aware that we have no control over the content and practices of these sites, and cannot accept responsibility or liability for their respective privacy policies.
You are free to refuse our request for your personal information, with the understanding that we may be unable to provide you with some of your desired services.
Your continued use of our website will be regarded as acceptance of our practices around privacy and personal information. If you have any questions about how we handle user data and personal information, feel free to contact us.
This policy is for Easy Way Accounts – https://www.easywayaccounts.com.au/ effective as of 2025.