Privacy Policy

Thank you for visiting Blooming Financial ("Blooming Financial," "we," "us," or "our"). We provide bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, and related consulting services to individuals and small businesses. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information when you use our website, contact us, subscribe to our newsletter, or engage our services.

Questions or requests? Email info@bloomingfinancials.com or call (408) 365-4671.

Quick Summary & Notice at Collection (California)

We collect the categories below for the purposes listed and retain them per Retention. We do not sell personal information, and we do not share personal information for cross‑context behavioral advertising.

• Identifiers (name, email, phone, business name) — communicate, schedule, provide services, security, compliance.
• Professional/Commercial info (service interest, business type, engagement details) — provide and improve services, pricing, account management.
• Financial & Tax information you provide during an engagement (transaction records, tax IDs, returns) — perform services, comply with laws.
• Internet/Network activity (IP, device/browser, pages viewed) — site functionality, security, analytics.
• Approximate geolocation from IP — analytics, fraud/security.
• Inferences (service preferences) — improve communications.
• Sensitive personal information (only if needed: SSN/EIN, government ID, payroll data) — strictly to provide services and comply with law.

Scope

This Policy applies to personal information collected via our website and forms (consultation and contact), email/phone/video, and during client engagements. It doesn’t apply to third‑party sites we don’t control (e.g., Yelp, Instagram). See Third‑Party Links & Services.

Information We Collect

1) Information you provide directly

• Contact details: name, email, phone, mailing address, business name/type.
• Engagement details: services requested, docs and messages you send.
• Financial/Payroll/Tax data relevant to services: transaction records, invoices, payroll lists, W‑2/1099 data, tax IDs (SSN/EIN/ITIN), prior returns, supporting docs you choose to provide. We do not request or store online banking usernames/passwords.
• Newsletter: email address and subscription preferences.

2) Information collected automatically

• Device and usage data: IP, device/browser type, pages visited, referring/exit pages, timestamps.
• Cookies & similar tech: used for site functionality and analytics. See Cookies & Analytics.

3) Information from third parties

• Service providers (form processors, analytics) provide technical or aggregated insights.
• Public/business sources to help verify onboarding details.

How We Use Personal Information

• Provide and manage services (bookkeeping, payroll, tax prep and filing, consulting).
• Communicate (respond to inquiries, schedule, admin messages, updates).
• Security and fraud prevention.
• Compliance and legal obligations.
• Improve and personalize site/services.
• Marketing (newsletter/events) if you subscribe—opt out anytime.

Cookies & Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand website traffic and usage. Google may set cookies to measure interactions. You can manage analytics below and opt out via the Google Analytics Opt‑out Browser Add‑on. Disabling cookies may affect features.

Disclosures of Personal Information

We disclose personal information to service providers that help operate our site and deliver services—subject to confidentiality and use limits—including: Formspree (form submissions), Google Analytics (metrics), Google Maps (embeds), and secure email/cloud tools. We may also disclose to professional advisors, legal authorities (if required), in a business transfer, or with your direction/consent. We do not sell personal information or share it for cross‑context behavioral advertising.

GLBA & Tax Return Information

For tax preparation and certain financial services, the Gramm‑Leach‑Bliley Act (GLBA) and Internal Revenue Code §7216 apply. We do not disclose your nonpublic personal information or tax return information without consent, except as permitted or required by law (e.g., to process your return, respond to lawful requests, prevent fraud, or with your authorization).

Data Retention

• Client records (financial, payroll, tax): kept as needed to provide services and meet obligations—often up to 7 years, unless law requires longer/shorter.
• Website/contact records: typically 24 months after last interaction or as needed for security/compliance.
• Newsletter: until you unsubscribe or we end the program.

Security

We use safeguards designed to protect personal information, including encrypted storage/transfer, MFA on sensitive systems, least‑privilege access, and routine backups. No system is 100% secure; please use caution online and contact us if you suspect unauthorized access.

Your Choices

• Marketing: opt out using the unsubscribe link or contact us.
• Cookies & Analytics: manage via the preferences on this page and browser settings.
• Information you provide: avoid sending sensitive data through basic website forms; use our secure channels during engagements.

Your Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may request to access/know, delete, correct, or port certain information; opt out of targeted advertising/sale/profiling (we do not sell); limit use of sensitive information; withdraw consent (where applicable); and be free from discrimination for exercising rights. To submit a request, email info@bloomingfinancials.com or call (408) 365‑4671. You may authorize an agent, subject to verification.

California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

• Categories collected: see Notice at Collection above.
• Sources: you, your devices (cookies/analytics), and service providers.
• Purposes: services, communication, security, analytics, compliance, improvements.
• Disclosures: service providers, advisors, legal (if required), and at your direction.
• Selling/Sharing: we do not sell or share for cross‑context behavioral advertising.
• Retention: see Retention.
• Sensitive PI: used only as reasonably necessary to provide requested services and meet legal obligations; not used to infer characteristics.

To exercise rights or to submit a Do Not Sell or Share preference, use the Do Not Sell/Share link below to open preferences and set analytics to Off.

International Users (EEA/UK/Other)

We operate in the United States. By interacting with our site or services, you understand your information will be transferred to and processed in the U.S. Where EU/UK law applies, our legal bases include performance of a contract, legal obligations, legitimate interests (e.g., security, improvement), and consent where required. You may have rights to access, rectify, erase, restrict, port, or object, and to complain to a supervisory authority.

Client Data We Process on Your Behalf

For business clients, when you provide personal information about employees, contractors, or customers (e.g., payroll lists, invoices), we act as your service provider/processor and handle that data solely to deliver services under our agreement and your instructions. We require our subprocessors to protect that data and use it only for the services. A list of material subprocessors is available upon request.

Third‑Party Links & Services

Our site may link to or embed third‑party services (e.g., Yelp, Instagram, Google Maps). Those services operate independently and are governed by their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for their content, policies, or practices.

Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to our practices or legal requirements. When we do, we will revise the "Effective Date" above and post the updated Policy here. Significant changes will be highlighted for a reasonable period. Your continued use of our site or services after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

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