Cookie Policy

Last Updated: November 20, 2025

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how AlphaTax ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website and use our services (collectively, the "Service").

This policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, smartphone) when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

2.1 Types of Storage Technologies

We use several types of storage and tracking technologies:

• Cookies: Small text files stored on your device
• Local Storage: Data stored in your browser (HTML5 local storage)
• Session Storage: Temporary storage that expires when you close your browser
• Pixels/Beacons: Tiny graphics that track website activity
• JavaScript: Code that enables dynamic content and tracking

3. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies for several important purposes:

3.1 Essential/Strictly Necessary

• Authenticate your login and maintain your session
• Remember your account settings and preferences
• Enable core functionality of the Service
• Provide security features and fraud prevention
• Route your requests to the correct server

These cookies are required for the Service to function and cannot be disabled.

3.2 Functional

• Remember your language and region preferences
• Save form data so you don't lose progress
• Remember your tax calculation inputs
• Store your dashboard customizations
• Enable chat support features

You can disable these cookies, but it may affect Service functionality.

3.3 Analytics and Performance

• Understand how you use the Service
• Identify which features are most popular
• Track page load times and performance
• Diagnose technical issues
• Measure effectiveness of features

These cookies help us improve the Service but are not required.

3.4 Marketing and Advertising

• Show relevant advertisements
• Measure ad campaign effectiveness
• Prevent showing the same ad repeatedly
• Track conversions from our marketing
• Provide personalized content

You can opt out of marketing cookies without affecting Service functionality.

4. Types of Cookies We Use

4.1 First-Party Cookies

These cookies are set directly by AlphaTax:

4.2 Third-Party Cookies

These cookies are set by our service providers:

Analytics

• Google Analytics: Track usage patterns and user behavior

  • _ga, _gid, _gat (2 years, 24 hours, 1 minute)
  • Purpose: Measure traffic and usage statistics
  • Privacy: IP anonymization enabled
  • Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out

• Mixpanel: Product analytics and user engagement

  • mp_* cookies (1 year)
  • Purpose: Track feature usage and conversion funnels
  • Opt-out: mixpanel.com/optout

Advertising

• Google Ads: Conversion tracking and remarketing

  • _gcl_au, IDE (90 days, 13 months)
  • Purpose: Measure ad performance, show relevant ads
  • Opt-out: Google Ad Settings

• Facebook Pixel: Track conversions from Facebook ads

  • _fbp, fr (90 days, 90 days)
  • Purpose: Measure ad effectiveness, custom audiences
  • Opt-out: Facebook Ad Preferences

Infrastructure and Security

• Cloudflare: CDN and security

  • __cfduid, cf_* (30 days)
  • Purpose: Security, bot detection, content delivery
  • Category: Essential

• Stripe: Payment processing

  • __stripe_* (Session)
  • Purpose: Fraud prevention, payment security
  • Category: Essential

Customer Support

• Intercom: Live chat and support
  • intercom-* (1 week to 1 year)
  • Purpose: Provide customer support, remember chat history
  • Category: Functional

Email Tracking

• SendGrid: Email delivery tracking
  • Tracks email opens and clicks
  • Purpose: Monitor email delivery success
  • Category: Analytics

5. How Long Cookies Stay on Your Device

5.1 Session Cookies

Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. Used for authentication and temporary data storage.

5.2 Persistent Cookies

Remain on your device for a set period (specified in section 4 above) or until manually deleted. Used for preferences and analytics.

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

6.1 Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data

Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data

Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data

Microsoft Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies

Note: Blocking essential cookies will prevent you from using AlphaTax.

6.2 Cookie Consent Manager

When you first visit AlphaTax, you'll see our cookie consent banner allowing you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Accept only essential cookies
• Customize your preferences by category

You can change your preferences anytime by:

1. Visiting your account settings
2. Clicking "Cookie Preferences" in the footer
3. Clearing your cookies and revisiting the site

6.3 Opt-Out Options

Analytics Opt-Out:

• Google Analytics: Install browser opt-out add-on
• Mixpanel: Visit mixpanel.com/optout

Advertising Opt-Out:

• Google Ads: Ad Settings
• Facebook: Ad Preferences
• NAI Opt-Out: Network Advertising Initiative
• DAA Opt-Out: Digital Advertising Alliance

Note: Opting out means you'll still see ads, but they won't be personalized.

6.4 Do Not Track (DNT)

Currently, our Service does not respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals as there is no universal standard. However, you can control cookies through your browser settings and our cookie preferences tool.

7. Mobile App Tracking

If you use our mobile applications, we may use:

• Device Identifiers: IDFA (iOS), Advertising ID (Android)
• Push Notification Tokens: For sending alerts
• In-App Analytics: Track feature usage
• Crash Reporting: Identify and fix bugs

Mobile Opt-Out:

• iOS: Settings → Privacy → Tracking → Turn off
• Android: Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization

8. Third-Party Websites

Our Service contains links to third-party websites. When you click these links, you leave our Service and are subject to the third party's cookie policies. We recommend reviewing their policies before providing personal information.

Third parties we link to may include:

• IRS.gov (tax information)
• Plaid.com (bank connections)
• Stripe.com (payment processing)
• Educational resources and blogs

9. Social Media Features

We use social media features that may set cookies:

• Facebook Like/Share: May set Facebook cookies
• Twitter Share: May set Twitter cookies
• LinkedIn Share: May set LinkedIn cookies

These features are controlled by the respective social media platforms and are subject to their privacy policies.

10. Cookies and Your Personal Data

10.1 Data Collection

Cookies may collect the following information:

• IP address (anonymized for analytics)
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent
• Click paths and navigation patterns
• Device type and screen resolution
• Referring website
• Language preferences

10.2 Data Processing

Cookie data is processed:

• On our servers (US-based)
• By third-party service providers (see section 4.2)
• In accordance with our Privacy Policy
• Under GDPR, CCPA, and other applicable laws

10.3 Data Security

We implement security measures to protect cookie data:

• Encryption of sensitive cookies
• Secure (HTTPS-only) cookie transmission
• HttpOnly flags to prevent JavaScript access
• SameSite attributes to prevent CSRF attacks
• Regular security audits

11. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you have rights regarding cookies and personal data:

11.1 Right to Information

Know what cookies we use and why

11.2 Right to Access

Request information about cookie data we've collected

11.3 Right to Deletion

Delete cookie data (subject to essential cookies requirement)

11.4 Right to Object

Object to non-essential cookies

11.5 Right to Withdraw Consent

Change your cookie preferences at any time

To exercise these rights, contact privacy@alphatax.com or use our cookie preferences tool.

12. International Users

12.1 European Economic Area (EEA)

For users in the EEA, we comply with the EU ePrivacy Directive and GDPR:

• We obtain consent before setting non-essential cookies
• You can withdraw consent at any time
• We provide granular cookie controls
• We respect your privacy rights

12.2 United Kingdom

For UK users, we comply with UK GDPR and PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations).

12.3 Brazil

For users in Brazil, we comply with LGPD (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados).

12.4 Other Jurisdictions

We comply with applicable cookie and privacy laws in all jurisdictions where we operate.

13. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly set cookies on children's devices. If you believe we have collected cookie data from a child, contact us immediately at privacy@alphatax.com.

14. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:

• Changes in our cookie usage
• New technologies or features
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Service improvements

Notification of Changes:

• "Last Updated" date will be revised
• Material changes notified via email
• Continued use constitutes acceptance

Review Frequency: We recommend reviewing this policy periodically.

15. Contact Us

For Cookie Questions:
Email: privacy@alphatax.com
Subject line: "Cookie Policy Inquiry"

For Technical Support:
Email: support@alphatax.com
Phone: 1-800-ALPHATAX

For Data Protection Officer:
Email: dpo@alphatax.com

Response Time: We will respond to cookie-related inquiries within 30 days.

16. Cookie Audit Log

We maintain an internal audit log of all cookies used on our Service, including:

• Cookie name and identifier
• Purpose and category
• Duration and expiration
• Third-party provider details
• Legal basis for processing
• Last audit date

This log is available upon request to privacy@alphatax.com.

17. Additional Resources

Learn More About Cookies:

• All About Cookies
• EU Cookie Law Guide
• ICO Cookie Guidance

Industry Opt-Out Tools:

• NAI Opt-Out
• DAA Consumer Choice
• EDAA Your Online Choices

18. Consent Preferences

Your current cookie preferences:

• Essential Cookies: Always Active (Required)
• Functional Cookies: [Preference in Settings]
• Analytics Cookies: [Preference in Settings]
• Marketing Cookies: [Preference in Settings]

[Update Preferences Button]

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AlphaTax, Inc.
Committed to transparency and your privacy choices.

Last Cookie Audit: November 2025
Next Scheduled Review: May 2025