It is the policy of Alliantgroup, L.P. (hereinafter “alliantgroup”) to protect the confidential personal information obtained from clients. Except as disclosed in this agreement, we will not intentionally disclose personal information, including, but not limited to, Social Security numbers, financial information, research documentation, contracts, or other trade secrets to third parties without authorization.
alliantgroup requires that clients provide it with Social Security numbers, financial information, research documentation, contracts and other trade secrets because it is necessary for us to use this information when compiling Studies, preparing forms, and communicating with the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities on behalf of our clients. We will only use this information for purposes of compiling and defending tax studies on behalf of our clients.
alliantgroup will obtain clients Social Security numbers and employer identification numbers by requesting copies of prior year Tax Returns and employee Form W-2s (if applicable to the particular study). Other information including, but not limited to, financial information, research documentation, contracts and other trade secrets shall be obtained by and through document requests, interviews, and site visits.
alliantgroup protects Social Security numbers, financial information, research documentation, contracts, trade secrets and all other confidential information as it protects all of its clients’ confidential information. We use commercially reasonable safeguards on our computer system to prevent unauthorized access of confidential information. Although security cannot be guaranteed, we maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with professional standards.
This Confidentiality Agreement shall not apply to the following information, which does not and shall not constitute Confidential Information:
- Information known by alliantgroup prior to disclosure from or by Client;
- Information obtainable by alliantgroup from sources other than Client (excluding Client’s CPAs, counsel or other agents) who themselves obtained it from sources other than Client or who do not have any obligation to Client to not disclose same;
- Information within the general public knowledge without the fault of alliantgroup as of the time Client makes independent use of such information;
- Information which, at the time of disclosure, had been previously published; or
- Information that is independently developed by employees of alliantgroup (or any affiliate/related entity of alliantgroup) without access to or use, in any way, of the Confidential Information provided by Client.
Only alliantgroup employees have access to the confidential information in our records. All employees shall hold this information in confidence and will not release it to people outside alliantgroup, except as agreed by you, as required by law or in keeping with reasonable professional standards while providing client services to each client. It is specifically anticipated that, in the event of an Internal Revenue Service or State Taxing Authority Audit, pertinent information and documentation may be disclosed to the proper taxing authority.
alliantgroup will dispose of its business records that contain personal information by modifying the personal information to make it unreadable or undecipherable. We may make personal information unreadable by shredding, erasing, or other means. We may also dispose of personal information by contracting with a person engaged in the business of disposing of records that contain confidential information.
In the event that a third party attempts to gain access to Client’s confidential information, whether by subpoena, formal or informal document request or otherwise, alliantgroup shall contact client in a timely manner and, at client’s request, participate in resisting such efforts.