1. Returning clients only
This intake form is available only to returning individual tax clients who were clients of BalancePoint Business Solutions Inc., formerly Sheila Hinson Tax Preparation, for the 2025 tax filing season, unless BalancePoint has provided prior written approval. Submission by anyone who does not meet these requirements does not obligate BalancePoint to provide services.
2. No automatic engagement
Submitting an intake form, uploading documents, receiving an automated confirmation, or communicating with our office does not by itself create or renew a professional engagement. BalancePoint may decline an engagement for any lawful reason, including workload limitations, conflicts of interest, missing information, unpaid balances, matters outside our scope of practice, or failure to follow our procedures.
An engagement begins only after BalancePoint confirms acceptance and all required engagement documents are completed. The scope of our services will be governed by the applicable engagement letter. If these Terms conflict with a signed engagement letter, the engagement letter controls.
3. Your responsibility for accurate information
You are responsible for providing complete, accurate, and truthful information. You agree to:
- Provide all tax documents and disclose all income, deductions, credits, foreign accounts, digital asset activity, business activity, ownership interests, and other information relevant to your return.
- Answer all intake questions completely and accurately.
- Review information submitted for yourself, your spouse, dependents, businesses, and related parties.
- Promptly notify BalancePoint if submitted information changes or is discovered to be incorrect.
- Retain original records and supporting documentation as required by law.
BalancePoint may rely on the information you provide without independently auditing or verifying it unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing. We are not responsible for errors, penalties, interest, additional tax, or missed benefits resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, or late information provided by you or a third party.
4. Spouses and joint returns
If you request preparation of a joint return, each spouse is considered a client for that engagement. Unless you instruct us otherwise in writing, you authorize BalancePoint to communicate with either spouse regarding preparation of the joint return and to share information related to that joint return with either spouse. Each spouse must separately complete all signatures, identity verification, and electronic-filing authorizations required by law.
5. Document submission and security
You agree to submit sensitive documents only through secure upload methods approved by BalancePoint. Do not send Social Security numbers, tax documents, banking information, passwords, or other sensitive information by ordinary email or text unless specifically instructed by BalancePoint.
We maintain safeguards intended to protect client information, but no electronic transmission or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. Our technology providers may process or store information as necessary to support our services. Tax return information will be handled in accordance with applicable federal and state privacy requirements. When legally required, we will obtain a separate written consent before using or disclosing tax return information for a purpose not directly related to preparing or providing services connected with your tax return.
6. Electronic communications
You consent to service-related communications from BalancePoint through email, secure portals, electronic forms, and text messages when applicable. These may include appointment information, document requests, reminders, status updates, invoices, and signature requests. You are responsible for providing current contact information, monitoring your messages, securing your accounts and devices, and promptly reporting unauthorized access.
7. Electronic records and signatures
By checking the acceptance box and submitting the intake form, you agree to conduct this transaction electronically. Your electronic acceptance is intended to have the same effect as a handwritten signature to the extent permitted by law. It does not replace a separate engagement letter, tax return signature, Form 8879-series authorization, consent to use or disclose tax return information, or any other document that must be separately reviewed and signed.
8. Deadlines and extensions
Submitting the intake form or uploading documents does not guarantee completion or filing by a particular deadline. If complete information is received after BalancePoint’s submission deadline, we may place the return on extension, complete it after the original due date, charge an expedited or additional fee, or decline the engagement.
An extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. You remain responsible for paying estimated tax by the original filing deadline. Extension and estimated-payment calculations may be based on information then available and may differ from the final amount due.
9. Review and filing authorization
You are responsible for carefully reviewing your completed return before signing an electronic-filing authorization. Verify names, Social Security numbers, addresses, dependents, banking information, income, deductions, credits, and estimated payments, and report errors before authorizing filing. BalancePoint will not electronically file a return until all required authorizations are completed.
10. Fees and payment
Fees are based on the nature and complexity of the services and may differ from prior years. Submission of this form does not establish a fixed price. Estimates may change when additional work, schedules, research, corrections, bookkeeping, amended returns, notices, or other services are required. Payment is due according to the engagement letter, invoice, or other written terms. To the extent permitted by law and professional standards, BalancePoint may withhold completed work or decline to file until required fees and prior balances are paid.
11. Services not included
Unless expressly included in a written engagement, tax return preparation does not include:
- Auditing or independently verifying information you provide;
- Bookkeeping or reconstruction of records;
- Tax planning, projections, or monitoring later events;
- Responding to tax notices or providing audit, collection, appeals, or examination representation;
- Amended returns;
- Legal, investment, or financial-planning advice; or
- Regulatory filings unrelated to the tax return.
Additional services may require a separate engagement and additional fees.
12. Professional judgment and tax positions
Tax laws and administrative guidance may be unclear or subject to different interpretations. BalancePoint will use reasonable professional judgment based on the information provided and authorities available when services are performed. We may decline to sign or file a return containing a position we believe lacks adequate support, is misleading or incomplete, or does not comply with applicable law or professional standards. You remain ultimately responsible for the contents of your return and for all tax, interest, and penalties legally assessed.
13. Record retention
BalancePoint is not responsible for permanently storing your original records. Keep copies of all returns, source documents, depreciation schedules, basis records, property records, and supporting information for as long as they may be relevant. Our internal retention practices do not relieve you of your responsibility to maintain your own records.
14. Third-party information and services
BalancePoint may receive information from payroll providers, financial institutions, bookkeeping platforms, government agencies, and other third parties. You are responsible for reviewing that information for accuracy and completeness. BalancePoint is not responsible for the availability, performance, security, errors, or omissions of Cognito Forms, financial institutions, government websites, tax software providers, or other independent third-party services.
15. Limitation of responsibility
To the extent permitted by law, BalancePoint will not be responsible for indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages arising from delayed, incomplete, inaccurate, or unauthorized information supplied by you or a third party; failures of third-party systems; events beyond our reasonable control; or your failure to review, approve, pay for, or timely authorize filing of a return. Nothing in these Terms waives a right or responsibility that cannot legally be waived.
16. Termination
Either you or BalancePoint may terminate the engagement by written notice, subject to the engagement letter and professional obligations. You remain responsible for fees earned and costs incurred through termination and for arranging timely completion and filing of unfinished returns or filings.
17. Governing law
These Terms are governed by Texas law without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Disputes will be handled as provided in the engagement letter. If it contains no dispute-resolution provision, venue will lie in a court of competent jurisdiction in Texas, subject to applicable law.
18. Changes to these Terms
BalancePoint may update these Terms periodically. The version presented when you submit the intake form will apply to that submission unless a later written agreement states otherwise.
19. Acknowledgment
By accepting these Terms and submitting the intake form, you confirm that you have read and understood them; that the information submitted is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge; that you are authorized to provide it; that you consent to electronic records and communications; and that submission does not guarantee acceptance, completion, or filing of your return.