Our Privacy Policy

Last updated: 29 October 2024

Your Privacy is important to us. 

Canberra Tax Solutions is committed to maintaining the Privacy and confidentiality of your personal information.

Canberra Tax Solutions is bound by amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act), which set out a number of principles concerning protecting personal information. Our Privacy Policy outlines these principles below. 

Collection 

Canberra Tax Solutions collects personal and sensitive information about individuals, including our clients, persons associated with or employed by our clients, or our business contacts, to provide our professional services and to effectively manage our business relationships. 

The following laws authorise the information collected:

•  a New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 (Cth);
•  a New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth);
•  a New Tax System (Good and Services Tax Transition) Act 1999 (Cth);
•  a New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax) Act 1999 (Cth);
•  Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth); 
•  Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth);
•  Taxation Administration Act 1953 (Cth); and
•  Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 (Cth).

The types of personal information we collect from you may include, but are not limited to: 

• full name and date of birth; 
• tax file number; 
• residential and business postal addresses, telephone/mobile/fax numbers, and email addresses; 
• bank account and credit card details for agreed billing purposes; 
• detailed information about your financial or personal circumstances, depending on the particular service we are required to provide, and 
• sensitive information defined under the Privacy Act includes race, sexual orientation, political opinions, trade association or union membership, criminal record, or health information. 

The personal information Canberra Tax Solutions collects from you depends on how you interact with us. The information we collect will generally be collected through our communications or dealings with you. However, we may also collect it from third parties, including but not limited to your Solicitor, third-party service providers, banks, financial institutions, industrial regulatory bodies, and Insurance companies. Depending on the type of services you seek, we may also conduct credit reports on our clients or collect your Tax File Numbers, which are sensitive information. In the course of providing our services, we collect personal information in several ways: 

• electronically; 
• via telephone; or
• mail.

Canberra Tax Solutions may also collect your personal information from a third party where: 

• you consented to the collection of information; 
• we are required or authorised under Australian court/ tribunal, or someone other than you; or 
• it is unreasonable or impracticable to obtain the information from you. 

We may also collect publicly available personal information. 

Use and Disclosure 

Canberra Tax Solutions may use and disclose personal and sensitive information for the primary purpose for which it is collected, for reasonably expected secondary purposes related to the primary purpose and for any other purpose authorised by Privacy Law. Generally, Canberra Tax Solutions uses personal and sensitive information to provide specified professional services and raise awareness about recent business-related developments that may be of relevance or interest. We may also share personal information internally within Canberra Tax Solutions and its related entities to communicate information about our wide range of business services or the latest business solutions. 

Generally, Canberra Tax Solutions obtains your consent in writing or implied before disclosing your personal information to a third party. However, in some circumstances, we may use and disclose your personal and sensitive information where it is required or permitted by law or in emergencies. Canberra Tax Solutions may be required to provide your personal and sensitive information to: 

• Australian Taxation Office (ATO); 
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); 
• Financial planning institutions; and 
• Third parties or external contractors carrying out functions and duties for and on behalf of Canberra Tax Solutions or its related entities. 

By giving Canberra Tax Solutions your personal information, you consent to Canberra Tax Solutions transferring and disclosing your personal information (including sensitive information) by the terms of this Privacy Policy. Canberra Tax Solutions will take all reasonable steps to notify you of the information collected, used, and disclosed at all times. 

Disclosure of personal information overseas 

Canberra Tax Solutions may disclose an individual’s personal information to a recipient outside Australia. This includes any financial institution with which the individual holds an account overseas and has permitted Canberra Tax Solutions to make enquiries on their behalf. 

Some encrypted data may be backed up or mirrored in overseas jurisdictions by third parties. However, Canberra Tax Solutions will not send personal information to recipients outside of Australia unless the individual has consented to the disclosure. 

Disclosure of personal information to third parties 

Canberra Tax Solutions may utilise third-party providers (such as IT providers and market researchers) for its business and to deliver services to you. We may need to disclose non-sensitive personal information to these providers occasionally. Such disclosure will be done through this Privacy Policy. 

Cookies

We may use cookies (a small text file placed on your computer to identify your computer and web browser) and may use anonymous identifiers (a random string of characters that is used for the same purposes as a cookie). We may use cookies and other similar technologies to analyse the use of and improve the Site and Services as described in the Advertising and Online Tracking Section of this Privacy Policy. Most web browsers are initially set up to accept cookies. You can reset your web browser to refuse all cookies or indicate when a cookie is being sent; however, certain Site or Services features may not work if you delete or disable cookies. Some of our Service Providers may use their own cookies, anonymous identifiers, or other tracking technology concerning the services they perform on our behalf.

We may use Google Analytics on the Site and Services to analyse how users use the Site and Services, and to provide advertisements to you on other websites. For more information about how to opt out of having your information used by Google Analytics, visit https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout/

Data Quality & Security 

Protecting personal information is a priority at Canberra Tax Solutions. We consider security and confidentiality when handling personal information in both the physical and electronic environment. 

It is essential important that the information we maintain and use is accurate, complete, and current. If, at any time, personal details change, please let us know so we can update our records. The information we hold about you is confidential and only accessed when necessary. Whilst we take caution to protect your personal information and data, no data transmission over the internet or electronically can be completely secure. Once we have received your information, Canberra Tax Solutions will take all appropriate measures to use procedures and security programs to ensure the security of our systems. We take reasonable steps to protect the information we retain from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. We will not keep any of your information for any longer than we require it to, except to the extent permitted by law to satisfy legal requirements. Canberra Tax Solutions may also deidentify your information where applicable. 

We will destroy or de-identify your information when it is no longer required. 

Many of the de-identifiers or third parties you may deal with through your relationship with Canberra Tax Solutions will also have Privacy Policies concerning collecting, holding, using, or disclosing personal information, which can be viewed on the relevant provider’s website. 

You may also help us secure your personal information by ensuring appropriate back-ups, security, and virus check procedures are in place for any data or information provided to or received from Canberra Tax Solutions electronically. Please use your discretion and exercise caution when providing your personal information. 

Access and Correction 

You may request access to the personal and sensitive information we retain about you and request corrections or deletions. However, this right of access is subject to some exceptions permitted by law.

To make a request, please put your request in writing or call our privacy officer using the contact details below. 

Canberra Tax Solutions reserves the right to charge a fee for searching for and providing access to your personal information. We will explain our refusal if we refuse you access to your personal information. 

We will ensure that the personal information we hold about you is up-to-date and accurate. The accuracy of the personal information is dependent to a large degree on the information you provide, and you should advise us if there are any errors or changes to your personal information. 

Identifiers

Sometimes, we must collect government identifiers, such as your Tax File Number. We may be required to collect or disclose government identifiers from the Australian Taxation Office or a regulated entity to the extent law permits our services. We will not use or disclose this information other than when the law requires your consent.

Sensitive Information 

We will not collect sensitive information about you without your consent. Exceptions include where the information is required by law or for establishing, exercising, or defending a legal claim. We will notify you as soon as practicable should we need or collect sensitive information about you. 

Changes to this Privacy Policy 

Canberra Tax Solutions is committed to ensuring this Privacy Policy remains current but is subject to change. Canberra Tax Solutions may modify this Privacy Policy at any time, and all modifications will be effective immediately. 

Complaints and Further Information 

Should you wish to complain about any breach or potential breach of this Privacy Policy or the Privacy Law, contact our Privacy Officer using the contact details below. Your complaint will be considered within14 business days and responded to accordingly. We intend to use our best endeavours to resolve any complaint to your satisfaction; however, if you are unhappy with our response, you are entitled to contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (“OAIC”), who may investigate your complaint further. 

Contact Details 

Phone:             0431 259 476

Email:              stephen@canberrataxsolutions.com.au

Web:                 www.canberrataxsolutions.com.au

Address:           PO Box 245, Jamison Centre ACT 2614   

Office hours:   9.00 am to 5.00 pm EST, Monday to Friday (except public holidays)