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Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: 970-226-4686

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Cyber Security and Your Tax Information

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Leasa Magnuson in Business Tax, Individual Tax

I thought now might be a good time to remind everybody to not send sensitive information through emails.   When I am preparing tax returns I will start a list of missing items in the form of an email.  It is how I keep track of what I am missing.  Then I email the list of questions to you, the client.  You frequently will attach documents to the email.   I realize that it is easier to just hit the reply button and attach the requested documents but it only takes a little more time to send it via ShareFile.  And isn’t your identity worth the extra steps it takes to send the information securely?

The following are steps to send your sensitive information through ShareFile.

First, I sign into to ShareFile and send you an email with a request for you to send me information.

  • You receive an email with a link to upload your documents.
  • You click on the “click here to upload” and attach your documents like you would in a normal email.
  • Click on the upload files button and you are done.
  • I receive an email that you have sent me a file and I sign into ShareFile and retrieve it.

It is as simple as that and your sensitive information is not bouncing all over the internet.  It is uploaded to one place until I download it.

The link I send requesting the documents from ShareFile will be available for a year, so it is good to use over and over again.  Just save it someplace so you have easy access to it anytime you want to send me information.  But if you should lose it, no problem, just shoot me an email requesting a link again.

Just to be clear answering questions via an email is ok, but sending your bank account information, your Social Security number or your kids’ number is not.  That type information when there isn’t an actual document to send is probably better provided to me with a telephone call.  Or as one client did, who lives on the East Coast, send it to me in pieces.  He sent the bank routing number via text, the account number via email and the bank name via an email through FaceBook.  That is all a bit cumbersome for the average Joe and a phone call will work just as well.

Secure File, Sharefile

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Testimonials

Leasa Magnuson was there when we needed her.

An unexpected audit on our returns was triggered by an unfortunate investment loss. All of the horror stories we had heard about came to the top of our minds and the adrenaline started pumping. We had never been through an IRS audit and didn’t know what to expect. We gathered all of the information requested. Leasa reviewed what we had, suggested a few more items and then we dropped off the requested supporting documents to the IRS several days prior to the audit. Promptly at 9:00 a.m. on audit day Leasa was there to support me and answer the grueling questions I was sure would come from the investigator.

Before we had a chance to take the hot seats in the investigator’s office, we were told that they had reviewed our documentation and we were given a "no change" verdict – which means everything checked out. We were free to leave.

I am confident Leasa’s council, review, and organization of our documentation and giving the IRS advanced time to review the information led to the positive outcome.

We are very lucky to have her on our team and will continue to use Leasa in the future.

Anita & Mike Kelly

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4025 Automation Way #D1 (Map), Fort Collins, CO 80525 - Phone: 970-226-4686