HGBROWN, Certified Public Accountants (“we”, “us”, “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with applicable laws, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), IRC §7216, Florida privacy requirements, and professional standards of the AICPA and FICPA.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website hgbrn.com or engage our professional accounting, tax, and related services.

1. Information We Collect

• Personal and Financial Information — name, address, email, phone number, Social Security Number, Taxpayer Identification Number, tax returns, bank/ brokerage statements, income records, investment details, estate documents, and other financial data necessary to provide professional services.
• Website Usage Data — IP address, browser type/version, pages visited, time/date of visit, referring pages, cookies, and analytics data (via tools like Google Analytics with anonymized IP).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information solely to:

• Provide accounting, tax preparation, planning, IRS representation, estate planning, fraud examination, and other professional services
• Communicate with you (responses to inquiries, updates, appointments)
• Comply with IRS, state tax agencies, and other legal/regulatory requirements
• Improve our website functionality and user experience
• Perform quality reviews, peer reviews, or professional obligations (with safeguards)

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal or financial information to third parties.

We may disclose information only:

• To trusted service providers (cloud storage, payroll processors, tax software vendors) under strict confidentiality agreements
• To regulatory authorities (IRS, Florida Department of Revenue, courts) when required or permitted by law
• To professional advisors (attorneys, other CPAs in joint engagements) with your consent or as necessary
• In connection with peer reviews, quality assurance, or professional standards compliance

All disclosures comply with IRC §7216, GLBA, and AICPA Code of Professional Conduct Rule 1.700.001.

4. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, including encryption, access controls, secure file transmission, antivirus, firewalls, and regular security assessments to protect your information. While no system is completely secure, we follow industry best practices for CPA firms.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses essential cookies for functionality and performance cookies (e.g., Google Analytics) for aggregated, anonymized usage statistics. You can manage or disable cookies via your browser settings. We do not respond to Do Not Track signals at this time.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information by contacting us. We will respond in accordance with applicable law. Former clients’ records are retained as required by IRS (generally 7 years) and professional standards.

California residents may have additional rights under the CCPA/CPRA if applicable — contact us for details.

7. Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The revised version will be posted here with an updated “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to review it periodically.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact:

Jared Brown, CPA
HGBROWN
635 COURT ST, STE 120
CLEARWATER, FL 33756

Phone: (727) 498-2024
Email: jared_brown@hgbrn.com