This policy covers the Tax Helper by Arc & Ledger Chrome extension. Tax Helper explains tax-form fields using a built-in offline glossary and optional user-requested online explanations. Arc & Ledger does not operate a server that receives extension data.
1. Information handled on your device
Tax Helper may handle the following information locally inside Chrome:
- Tax-form field labels, headings, options, nearby page text, page title, and form name, so the extension can identify the field.
- The value currently entered in a field, only to perform a local format check. Tax Helper does not store or transmit that entered value.
- Your settings, enabled websites, tax system, language choice, and optional Anthropic API key in
chrome.storage.local. - If you enable “Help improve coverage,” unmatched field labels are stored locally so you can review, copy, or delete them. Entered values are not included.
The website hosting the tax form may handle information under its own privacy policy. This policy describes Tax Helper’s separate handling only.
2. Offline explanations
Common field explanations, document checklists, and format checks run locally. They require no account, API key, or network request. Hovering over or focusing a field does not start an online explanation.
3. Optional online explanations
Online explanations are off unless you add your own Anthropic API key, enable the feature, and acknowledge the disclosure in Settings. When you explicitly request an online explanation, Tax Helper sends the field label and redacted context, such as headings, nearby text, options, page title, and form name, directly from your browser to the Anthropic API. Your API key is sent as the authentication credential.
Tax Helper removes the entered field value before the request and applies additional redaction for Social Security numbers, tax identification numbers, bank and card numbers, email addresses, phone numbers, and money amounts. Arc & Ledger does not receive these requests. Anthropic processes them under its own terms and privacy policy.
4. Website permissions
Tax Helper runs automatically only on the supported tax websites identified in the extension. To use another website, you must turn Tax Helper on from the toolbar. Chrome then asks for access to that exact website. Turning it off removes that access. Tax Helper does not request access to browsing history and is disabled in Incognito mode.
5. How information is used
Information handled by the extension is used only to:
- identify a tax-form field and display an explanation;
- perform local, non-prescriptive format checks;
- provide a requested online explanation when the optional feature is enabled;
- save the preferences and site permissions you select; and
- show you locally saved unmatched labels if you enable that feature.
6. Sharing, sale, advertising, and tracking
Arc & Ledger does not sell extension data, use it for advertising, build user profiles, or track browsing activity. Tax Helper contains no advertising or analytics SDK. The only optional third-party transmission is the user-requested Anthropic API call described above. Information may also be disclosed if legally required, although Arc & Ledger does not possess locally stored extension data.
7. Retention and deletion
- Entered field values are not retained by Tax Helper.
- Offline explanations are bundled with the extension and create no user record.
- Settings, the optional API key, site choices, and optional unmatched labels remain in Chrome local storage until you change them, clear them, or uninstall the extension.
- Online explanation responses may remain in the extension service worker’s temporary memory cache for up to 10 minutes and are cleared when that worker stops. Arc & Ledger does not receive or retain them.
- Anthropic’s handling and retention of an API request are governed by the account and policy associated with your Anthropic API key.
8. Security
Tax Helper uses Chrome’s extension storage and permission systems, limits automatic access to known tax websites, requests custom-site access one site at a time, uses HTTPS for optional Anthropic requests, and ships its executable code inside the extension package. No remote code is downloaded or executed.
9. Children
Tax Helper is intended for adults handling tax forms and is not directed to children under 13.
10. Changes
If this policy changes, Arc & Ledger will update the effective date and publish the revised policy at this URL.
11. Contact
Privacy questions can be sent to [email protected]. Arc & Ledger Accounting, 5183 Overland Avenue, Suite B, Culver City, CA 90230.
Tax Helper provides general educational information, not individualized tax or legal advice. Automated explanations may be inaccurate and are not individually reviewed. Using Tax Helper does not create a practitioner-client relationship. Verify current official instructions or separately engage a qualified professional for your facts.