Privacy Policy
We handle some of the most sensitive information you own — your income, your assets and your tax file number. This page sets out plainly what we collect, why, who else sees it and what you can ask us to do about it.
Who we are
Spectrum Tax Accountants is a boutique accounting practice based in Norwest, NSW, led by Emile Assaf, a registered tax agent (Tax Practitioners Board registration number 72404009). In this policy, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Spectrum Tax Accountants.
You can reach us about anything in this policy by email at info@spectrumtax.com.au or by phone on 0413 115 225.
What we collect
The information we hold falls into three groups.
1. What you send us through this website
Our enquiry form asks for your name, email address, phone number and whatever you choose to write in the message field. That is all it collects. You are not required to include sensitive details in an initial enquiry, and we would rather you did not — email is not a secure channel.
2. What you give us as a client
Once we act for you, we collect what the work requires: your tax file number, income and deduction records, bank and investment details, business financial records, superannuation information, identity documents and details of your family or business associates where these affect your tax position.
3. What this website records automatically
We use Google Analytics to understand how people find and use the site. It records things like which pages are viewed, roughly how long for, which device and browser you are using, and which suburb or city you are near. It does not tell us who you are. We have enabled IP anonymisation, so your full IP address is not stored by Google Analytics.
Tax file numbers
Tax file numbers carry specific legal protections that apply regardless of the size of our practice. We collect your TFN only where the law authorises it for tax, superannuation or related purposes. We use it only for those purposes, we do not disclose it except to the Australian Taxation Office and other bodies specifically authorised to receive it, and we do not use it as a general identifier for your file.
Why we collect it
- To prepare and lodge tax returns, BAS and other documents on your behalf
- To provide accounting, bookkeeping, SMSF and advisory services
- To respond to your enquiry and arrange an appointment
- To meet our own legal obligations as a registered tax agent, including record-keeping and anti‑money‑laundering requirements
- To understand how the website is used so we can improve it
Who else sees your information
We do not sell your information and we do not share it for marketing. We disclose it only where it is necessary to do the work or where the law requires it:
- The Australian Taxation Office and other regulators, for lodgements and correspondence made on your behalf
- Accounting software providers — Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks — where your records are kept in one of these systems
- SMSF auditors, where we administer a self-managed super fund and an independent audit is legally required
- FormSubmit (formsubmit.co), the third-party service that delivers this website’s enquiry form to our inbox. Anything you type into that form passes through their systems on the way to us.
- Google, which processes the website analytics described above
- Hostinger, which hosts this website
- Anyone else you specifically authorise us to deal with, such as your financial adviser, mortgage broker or solicitor
Some of these providers store data on servers outside Australia.
How long we keep it
As a registered tax agent we are required to retain client records for at least five years, and in practice we keep them longer where they remain relevant — for example, records supporting the cost base of an asset you still own. Website enquiries that do not become engagements are kept only as long as they are useful and are then deleted.
How we protect it
This website is served over an encrypted connection. Client records are held in access-controlled systems, and only Emile and anyone directly working on your file can reach them. We ask clients to send sensitive documents through secure exchange rather than plain email, and we will tell you how when the time comes.
No system is perfect, and we will not pretend otherwise. If a data breach ever occurred that was likely to cause you serious harm, we would notify you and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
Cookies and how to opt out
Google Analytics sets cookies in your browser to recognise repeat visits. You can block or delete these at any time through your browser settings, or install Google’s official Analytics opt-out add-on. Blocking them has no effect on the site — everything works exactly the same.
We do not run advertising cookies, retargeting pixels or social media trackers.
Accessing and correcting your information
You can ask us what personal information we hold about you and request a copy, and you can ask us to correct anything that is wrong or out of date. Email info@spectrumtax.com.au and we will respond within a reasonable time, normally within 30 days. There is no charge for asking.
You can also ask us to delete information, though we may be unable to where the law requires us to retain it.
If you have a complaint
Tell us first — email info@spectrumtax.com.au and we will look into it and come back to you. If you are not satisfied with how we handle it, you can take the matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au or on 1300 363 992.
Changes to this policy
If we change how we handle your information, we will update this page and change the date at the top.
Questions about your information?
Ask us directly — you will get a straight answer from Emile, not a form letter.