Lightening The Load Privacy Policy
Effective date:
Who We Are
Lightening The Load, LLC (“Lightening The Load,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect personal information when you visit www.lighteningtheload.com (the “Site”), use our client portal, or contact us.
By using the Site, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.
Contact information
Lightening The Load, LLC 367 Atlanta St SE, Marietta, GA 30060 Phone: (770) 520-6376 E-mail: info@ltltaxllc.com
Information We Collect
We collect information you give us directly and some information collected automatically when you use the Site.
Information you provide
- Contact and inquiry forms: name, e-mail address, phone number, and any details you include in your message.
- Referral forms: your name and contact details, plus the name and contact details of the person you refer. Please only refer people who would welcome hearing from us.
- Job applications: information you submit through our Careers page, such as your resume and work history.
- Purchases and payments: billing name, address, and order details. Payment card data is processed by our payment processor and is not stored on our Site.
- Client onboarding and services: information needed to prepare returns and provide tax, bookkeeping, and planning services. This may include Social Security numbers, income records, bank details, business records, and information about dependents.
Information collected automatically
- Usage data: IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, referring pages, and time spent on the Site.
- Cookies and similar technologies: small files that help the Site work, remember preferences, and measure traffic. See the Cookies section below.
How We Use Your Information
We use personal information to:
- Respond to inquiries and schedule consultations
- Provide tax preparation, filing, planning, bookkeeping, and related services
- Set up and manage your secure client portal account
- Process payments and send invoices and receipts
- Send service updates, reminders, and tax tips (you can opt out of marketing e-mails at any time)
- Review job applications
- Operate, maintain, and improve the Site
- Protect against fraud, unauthorized access, and other security risks
- Comply with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations
How We Share Your Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share it only as described below.
- Service providers: trusted vendors who help us run our business, such as our secure client portal (TaxDome), website hosting, e-mail and marketing tools, form processing, payment processing, and analytics. They may use your information only to perform services for us.
- Tax authorities: the IRS and state or local tax agencies, when filing returns or acting on your behalf with your authorization.
- People you authorize: anyone you direct us to share with, such as your attorney, financial advisor, or lender.
- Legal requirements: when required by law, subpoena, or court order, or to protect our rights, our clients, or others.
- Business transfers: if our business is merged, sold, or transferred, client information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to the same protections.
Tax Return Information
As a tax preparer, we follow federal rules that protect your tax information, including Internal Revenue Code Section 7216 and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) as enforced through the FTC Safeguards Rule.
We will not use or disclose your tax return information for any purpose other than preparing your return and providing the services you engaged us for, unless the law allows it or you give us written consent. We maintain a written information security plan with administrative, technical, and physical safeguards for client data.
Please do not send Social Security numbers, tax documents, or other sensitive financial information through our website contact forms or regular e-mail. Use the secure client portal instead.
Text Messaging (SMS)
If you opt in to receive text messages from Lightening The Load, we will use your mobile number to send appointment reminders, service updates, document requests, and other account-related messages. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out at any time, or HELP for help.
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties, except service providers that help us deliver messages. This applies regardless of anything else stated in this policy.
Cookies and Analytics
The Site uses cookies to keep features working (such as the shopping cart) and to understand how visitors use the Site. We may use analytics services such as Google Analytics, which collect usage data on our behalf. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of the Site may not work properly without them. To opt out of Google Analytics, visit tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
Client Portal
Our client login links to a secure portal hosted by TaxDome. Information you upload or exchange there is also subject to TaxDome’s privacy policy and security practices.
How We Protect Your Information
We use reasonable safeguards to protect personal information, including encrypted (SSL) connections, secure portal access, restricted staff access, and trusted service providers. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
How Long We Keep Information
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes in this policy, or as required by law and professional standards. Tax records are generally kept for the period required by IRS and state rules.
Third-Party Links
The Site may link to other websites, such as social media pages or government resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites.
Children’s Privacy
The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them online. Information about dependents is collected only from parents or guardians as part of tax services.
Your Choices
- Marketing e-mails: use the unsubscribe link in any e-mail, or contact us.
- Access and updates: contact us to review, correct, or update your information.
- Deletion: you may request deletion of your information, subject to records we are legally required to keep.
- Do Not Track: the Site does not currently respond to browser Do Not Track signals.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes take effect when posted on this page with a new effective date.
Contact Us
Questions about this policy or your information? Contact us at info@ltltaxllc.com or (770) 520-6376.