TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICES
A. Overall Terms and Conditions:
In general, F&H and Client enter into the
AGREEMENT in good faith and any misunderstandings
and disagreements should be discussed in a good
faith effort to resolve any disagreements without
escalation. In the event, miscommunication or
disagreements continue without reconciliation, the
terms and conditions are set forth below for further
clarification. First and foremost, Client
acknowledges and agrees that the Services provided
pursuant to the related AGREEMENT will be based
solely upon:
a. The representations, information, documents and
other facts provided to F&H by Client, its
personnel and any representatives thereof;
b. The review of documents under this AGREEMENT does
not constitute an engagement to provide audit,
compilation, review or attest services as described
in the pronouncements on professional standards
issued by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants or the U.S. Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board;
c. The understanding that F&H will only be
responsible to provide the services listed in the
AGREEMENT and F&H only provides tax preparation,
planning, back-office and consulting services
specifically identified by Client;
d. Client’s understanding that any tax advice
provided pursuant hereto will be based upon the law,
regulations, cases, rulings, and other taxing
authority in effect at the time specific tax advice
is provided. If there are subsequent changes in or
to the foregoing taxing authorities (for which
F&H shall have no specific responsibility to
advise Client), Client acknowledges that such
changes may result in that tax advice being rendered
invalid or necessitate (upon Client’s request) a
reconsideration of that prior tax advice;
e. Client’s understanding and agreement that the
results of F&H ’s tax advice may be audited and
challenged by the tax agencies, who may not agree
with our positions. In this regard, Client
understands that the result of any tax advice is not
binding on the tax agencies or the courts and should
never be considered a representation, warranty, or
guarantee that the tax agencies or the courts will
concur with our advice or opinion; and
f. F&H , as a result of providing such tax
advice, is under no obligation to represent Client
with respect to any such challenge or an
administrative or judicial challenge thereof.
F&H would generally be available to represent
Client before the appropriate taxing authorities, if
permissible, for an additional fee that is mutually
agreed upon.
g. Although F&H might in certain circumstances
provide Client with drafts of a deliverable before
it is finalized, Client understands that Client may
not rely upon any of the analysis, conclusions, or
recommendations unless and until the final
deliverable is issued. Any part of our analysis,
including the recommendations or conclusions may
change between the time of any draft and the
issuance of a final deliverable.
B. Services:
These Terms and Conditions of all F&H services
to be rendered constitute the entire AGREEMENT
between CLIENT and F&H . As used herein, the
term “services”, includes only the services as
described in the AGREEMENT. All decisions in
connection with the implementation of F&H ’s
services in connection with this AGREEMENT shall be
Client’s responsibility.
C. Third Parties and Internal Use:
Except as otherwise agreed, all services hereunder
shall be solely for Client’s internal purposes and
use, and this AGREEMENT does not create privity
between F&H and any person or party other than
Client (a “third party”). This AGREEMENT is not
intended for the express or implied benefit of any
third party. No third party is entitled to rely, in
any manner or for any purpose, on the services
provided by F&H . In or der to protect F&H
from any unauthorized reliance or claims, Client
further agrees that the services provided by F&H
shall not be distributed, made available,
circulated, or quoted to or used by any third party
without the prior written consent of F&H . How
ever, nothing in this paragraph shall be construed
as limiting or restricting such disclosure for
Client’s tax return filing purposes. Client agree s
to hold F&H harmless from any claims or
liability that may arise out of or as a result from
F&H complying with Client’s request to disclose
or share Client’s information with third-parties.
D. Confidentiality:
a. To the extent that, in connection with this
AGREEMENT, F&H comes into possession of any
information of Client’ s identified as proprietary
or confidential, F&H will not disclose such
information to any third party without Client’s
consent, except (a) as may be required by law,
regulation, judicial or administrative process, in
accordance with applicable professional standards,
or in connection with litigation pertaining hereto,
or (b) to the extent such information (i) shall have
otherwise become publicly available (including,
without limitation, any information filed with any
governmental agency and available to the public)
other than as the result of a disclosure by F&H
in breach hereof, (ii) is disclosed by Client or
Client’s personnel to a third party without
substantially the same restrictions as set forth
herein, (iii) becomes available to F&H on a non
-confidential basis from a source other than Client
or Client’s personnel which F&H does not believe
is prohibited from disclosing such information to
F&H by obligation to Client , (iv) is known by
F&H prior to its receipt from Client without any
obligation of confidentiality with respect thereto,
or (v) is developed by F&H independently of any
disclosures made by Client or Client’s personnel to
F&H of such information.
b. We may use subcontractors and/or other tax
professionals to assist us in the preparation of our
clients ’ matters, including but not limited to
preparation of tax memorandum, tax returns and any
and all other consulting documentation. In order to
safeguard the confidentiality of client information,
both F&H and any subcontractors and/or tax
professionals we may use have established internal
policies, procedures and controls designed to
maintain data security and protect privacy. We will
not utilize a subcontractor and/or other tax
professional without a confidentiality agreement in
place to prevent the unauthorized release of client
information. These standards are in place for
subcontractors and tax professionals located in the
US and outside the US.
E. Client Responsibilities:
a. Client is responsible for making all financial
records and related information available to us.
F&H shall be entitled to assume, without
independent verification, the accuracy of all
representations, assumptions, information and data
that Client and Client’s representatives provide to
F&H . All assumptions, representations,
information and data to be supplied by Client and
Client’s representatives will be complete and
accurate to the best of Client’s knowledge. F&H
may use information and data furnished by others;
however, F&H shall not be responsible for, and
F&H shall provide no assurance regarding, the
accuracy and completeness of any such information or
data. Except as specifically provided herein,
F&H shall not assume any responsibility for any
financial reporting with respect to the tax services
provided hereunder. Client acknowledge and
understand that F&H is providing no attest
services of any kind, scope or nature whatsoever, as
part of this AGREEMENT. F&H shall have no
responsibility to address any legal matters or
questions of law in connection with this AGREEMENT.
See section C above for additional information
regarding confidentiality.
b. Client shall cooperate with F&H in the
performance by F&H of its services hereunder,
including, without limitation, providing F&H
with reasonable facilities and timely access to
data, information, and Client’s personnel. Client
shall be responsible for the performance of Client’s
personnel and agents and for the accuracy and
completeness of all data and information provided to
F&H for purposes of the performance by F&H
of its services hereunder.
F. Fees and Payment: Our invoices for these services
will be rendered each month as work progresses and
are payable on presentation unless otherwise agreed
too. If properly submitted invoices are not paid
within 30 days of the invoice date, a late charge
may accrue at the lesser of (i) 4 % per month or
(ii) the highest rate allowable by law. Without
limiting its rights or remedies, F&H shall have
the right to halt or terminate entirely its services
until full payment is received on such past due
invoices. In the case of nonpayment, Client will be
liable for any and all costs and fees incurred by
F&H to collect the fees contemplated herein. The
failure of F&H to exercise its right to suspend
or terminate work shall not constitute a waiver by
F&H of any right or remedy. In the event of a
termination of this AGREEMENT pursuant to section F
below, Client agree s to compensate F&H for tax
services performed and expenses incurred through the
effective date of termination. All outstanding bills
will be paid in full prior to the release of any
information or prior to final product or service
delivery, unless other arrangements to pay Client’s
bill have been agreed upon. See section N below for
additional information regarding Limitation on
Damages.
G. Term:
This AGREEMENT shall conclude on the completion and
delivery of Client’s services hereunder. Either
F&H or Client may terminate this AGREEMENT at
any time by giving thirty (30) days written notice
to the other. In the event Client terminates the
AGREEMENT before F&H has had the opportunity to
earn the performance-based fees provided for in this
AGREEMENT, Client agrees to compensate F&H for
the services performed at one hundred percent (100%)
of F&H ’s standard hourly rate or what is
negotiated in the AGREEMENT, plus expenses incurred
through the effective date of the termination. In
the event F&H withdraws from the AGREEMENT, its
only obligation to Client will be to return any
original documents furnished to F&H by Client.
Client shall have no continuing financial obligation
to F&H in the event F&H withdraws from the
AGREEMENT.
H. General:
a. This AGREEMENT forms the entire AGREEMENT between
the parties relating to the services, and replaces
and supersedes any previous proposals,
correspondence, understandings or other
communications whether written or oral. This
AGREEMENT shall be binding on all transferees,
successors and assigns of both F&H and Client .
Neither party shall be liable to the other for any
delay or failure to perform any of the services or
obligations set forth in this AGREEMENT due to
causes beyond reasonable control. Each party
acknowledges that this was a negotiated contract,
and as a result, no part of this contract shall be
construed against either party based on drafting of
the contract. If any provision of this AGREEMENT is
determined to be invalid under any applicable
statute or rule of law, it is to that extent to be
deemed omitted, and the balance of the AGREEMENT
shall remain enforceable.
b. No delay or omission by either party in
exercising any right or power shall impair such
right or power or be construed to be a waiver. A
waiver by either party of any of the covenants to be
performed by the other or any breach thereof shall
not be construed to be a waiver of any succeeding
breach or of any other covenant. No waiver or
discharge shall be valid unless in writing and
signed by an authorized representative of the party
against whom such waiver or discharge is sought to
be enforced.
c. Client acknowledges and agrees that Client will
be solely responsible for any and all applicable
sales tax due, if any, in connection with the
services provided under this AGREEMENT.
d. It is common practice for professional service
firms such as ours, in discussions with prospective
clients, to make reference to prior work, and we
would like to have the opportunity to do so with
respect to this assignment. Unless Client informs
F&H to the contrary, on completion of this
assignment we understand that we will be entitled to
make reference to having undertaken it, including a
brief description of its objectives, in F&H
newsletters and publications and discussions with
third parties regarding work opportunities.
I. Foreign Financial Account Reporting:
a. Any U.S. citizen or resident (including
individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts and
estates) who has a financial interest in, or
signature or other authority over, “foreign
financial accounts” with an aggregate value
exceeding $10,000 at any time during the prior
calendar year, is required to report that
relationship to the Internal Revenue Service. Filing
requirements also apply to those with direct or
indirect control over a foreign or domestic entity
with foreign financial accounts, even if the
taxpayer does not have foreign financial accounts of
its own. Because persons with a financial interest
and persons with signature authority are required to
submit filings, a single account may require
multiple filings. For example, a corporate-owned
foreign account would require filings by the
corporation and by the individual corporate officers
with signature authority.
b. “Foreign financial accounts”, for purposes of
this section, are financial accounts located in a
foreign jurisdiction and may include, but are not
limited to, bank accounts, mutual funds, securities
or brokerage accounts, life insurance, credit cards,
retirement plans and interests in partnerships,
trusts or other pass through entities having foreign
accounts.
c. These filings must be made by April 15 and the
due date of these filings cannot be extended.
Failure to disclose the required information to the
Internal Revenue Service, even an inadvertent
failure, may result in substantial civil and/or
criminal penalties.
J. Independent Contractor. It is understood and
agreed that each of the parties hereto is an
independent contractor and that neither party is,
nor shall be considered to be, an agent, partner,
joint venturer, or representative of the other.
Neither party shall act or represent itself,
directly or by implication, as an agent of the other
or in any manner assume or create any obligation of
behalf of, or in the name of, the other.
K. Safe Environment. Client agree s that in any
circumstances wherein F&H personnel are required
to work at any premises or location operated or
controlled by Client , Client will take all actions
and precautions necessary to ensure that Client
premises are free from all known or reasonably
foreseeable safety hazards, and all forms of
harassment and discrimination.
L. Property. The workpapers and files which F&H
generates in connection with this AGREEMENT are the
property of F&H . Upon the termination of this
AGREEMENT, upon request we will return Client’s
original records to Client. All F&H workpapers
and files will be retained pursuant to F&H ’s
document retention policy.
M. Electronic Communication. In the interest of
facilitating our services to Client , we may
communicate by facsimile transmission or by sending
electronic mail over the Internet. Such
communications may include information that is
confidential to Client . Our firm employs measures
in the use of facsimile machines and computer
technology designed to maintain data security. While
we will use our best efforts to keep such
communications secure in accordance with our
obligations under applicable laws and professional
standards, we have no control over the unauthorized
interception of these communications once they have
been sent.
N. Dispute Resolution:
a. Because there are inherent difficulties in
recalling or preserving information as the period
after an AGREEMENT increases, Client agree that,
notwithstanding any applicable statute of
limitations, any claim based on this AGREEMENT must
be filed within twenty four (24) months after
performance of our service for continuing clients
and twelve (12) months for clients who discontinue
their relationship with F&H , unless Client has
previously provided us with a written notice of a
specific defect in our services that forms the basis
of the claim.
b. If any dispute, controversy or claim arises in
connection with the performance or breach of this
AGREEMENT, except with respect to the nonpayment or
collection of F&H ’s fees, either party may,
upon written notice to the other party, request that
the matter be mediated. Such mediation will be
conducted by a mediator appointed by and pursuant to
the rules of the American Arbitration Association or
such other neutral facilitator acceptable to both
parties. Both parties will exert their best efforts
to discuss with each other in good faith their
respective positions in an attempt to finally
resolve such dispute or controversy.
c. Each party may disclose any facts to the other
party or to the mediator which it, in good faith,
con siders necessary to resolve the matter. All such
discussions, however, will be for the purpose of
assisting in settlement efforts and will not be
admissible in any subsequent litigation against the
disclosing party. Except as agreed by both parties,
the mediator will keep confidential all information
disclosed during negotiations. The mediator may not
act as a witness for either party in any subsequent
arbitration between the parties.
d. The mediation proceedings will conclude within
sixty days from receipt of the written notice unless
extended or terminated sooner by mutual consent.
Each party will be responsible for its own expenses.
The fees and expenses of the mediator, if any, will
be borne equally by the parties. If the parties
cannot resolve a dispute not related to fees through
mediation, either party may pursue action in a court
of competent jurisdiction as set forth in section O
of these Terms and Conditions.
e. If there is a fee dispute Client and F&H
agree s to submit all fee disputes to resolution by
arbitration in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association. Client waive s the
right to make counterclaims in the arbitration of
such fee disputes and such arbitration shall be
binding and final, as permitted by the law of the
applicable jurisdiction. In agreeing to arbitration,
we both acknowledge that in the event of a dispute
over fees, each of us is giving up the right to have
the dispute decided in a court of law before any
judge or jury and instead are accepting the use of
arbitration for resolution. Each party will bear its
own costs of arbitration and both parties shall
share equally the costs of the arbitrators.
O. Limitation on Damages.
Unless otherwise prohibited by law or applicable
professional standard, Client agree s that F&H
and its personnel shall not be liable to Client for
any claims, liabilities, or expenses relating to
this AGREEMENT for an aggregate amount in excess of
the fees paid by Client to F&H pursuant to this
AGREEMENT, except to the extent finally judicially
determined to have resulted from the bad faith or
intentional misconduct of F&H . Unless otherwise
prohibited by law or applicable professional
standard, in no event shall F&H or its personnel
be liable for consequential, special, indirect,
incidental, punitive, or exemplary losses or damages
relating to this AGREEMENT. This limitation on
liability provision shall apply to the fullest
extent of the law, whether in contract, statute,
tort (such as negligence), professional standard, or
otherwise.
P. Governing Law and Severability.
This AGREEMENT shall be governed by and construed,
interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws
of the state of Texas, without giving effect to the
provisions relating to conflict of laws. If any
provision of this AGREEMENT is found by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, such
provision shall not affect the other provisions, but
such unenforceable provision shall be deemed
modified to the extent necessary to render it
enforceable, preserving to the fullest extent
permissible the intent of the parties set forth in
this AGREEMENT.
Q. Inherent Conflicts of Interest:
F&H cannot represent a client when there is a
significant risk that the representation of one or
more clients will be materially limited by the
practitioner’s responsibilities to another client (a
“conflict of interest”), unless all affected parties
waived the conflict of interest in writing. In some
very common situations there are inherent potential
conflicts of interest between or among clients. For
example, an entity, such as a corporation,
partnership or limited liability company, has
potential conflicts of interest with its respective
shareholders, partners or members, board members,
officers, management team or employees (collectively
“Executives”). Conflicts are present in almost any
financial decision of the entity; for example,
certain tax elections required to be made by the
entity may not benefit all Executives equally, or
decisions to make capital improvements, borrow money
or admit new owners may have a financial impact on
existing Executives. Another common example of
inherent conflicts of interest exists between or
among estates, trusts or similar entities
represented by a fiduciary (“Estate”) or a person
engaged in succession planning or other disposition
of assets (“Grantor”), and the respective primary
and contingent beneficiaries (“Beneficiaries”). Tax
elections, return positions, or other decisions
regarding assets or investments may be required to
be made by the Estate, and those elections,
positions or decisions may not benefit all
Beneficiaries equally. It is common for F&H to
provide tax advice and prepare tax returns for both
entities and their Executives or Beneficiaries. If
F&H represents any entity of which Client are an
Executive or Beneficiary, Client hereby acknowledge
such conflicts of interest and agree that F&H
can advise and prepare tax returns for such entity
as well as perform the services described in this
AGREEMENT on Client’s behalf.
R. Limitations on Oral and Email Communication:
We may discuss with Client our views regarding the
tax treatment of certain items and may provide
Client with tax information in the body of an email.
Any advice or information delivered orally or in the
body of an email (as opposed to a memorandum
delivered as an email attachment) will be based upon
limited tax research and a limited discussion and
analysis of the underlying facts. Additional
research or a more complete review of the facts
could affect our analysis and conclusions. Because
of these “limitations and the related risks, it may
not be appropriate to proceed with any transaction
solely on the basis of any oral or email
communication, and we will not be liable for “any
loss, cost, or expense resulting from Client’s
decision to rely on any oral or email communication.
S. Indemnification:
a. Unless otherwise prohibited by law or applicable
professional standard, Client shall indemnify and
hold harmless F&H and its personnel from and
against any causes of action, damages (whether
compensatory, consequential, special, indirect,
incidental, punitive, exemplary or of any other type
or nature), costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and the
reasonable time and expenses of F&H ’s personnel
involved) brought against or involving F&H at
any time and in any way arising out of or relating
to F&H ’s services under this AGREEMENT, except
to the extent judicially determined to have resulted
from the bad faith, gross negligence, or willful or
intentional misconduct of F&H ’s personnel. This
provision shall survive the termination of this
AGREEMENT for any reason, and shall apply to the
fullest extent of the law, whether in contract,
tort, or otherwise.
b. If any action or proceeding (any of the foregoing
being a “Claim”) is threatened or commenced by any
third party against F&H that Client are
obligated to defend or indemnify under this
AGREEMENT, then written notice thereof shall be
given to Client as promptly as practicable. After
such notice and only so long as F&H ’s and
Client’s interests with respect to the claim remain
consistent, no conflict exists, and, by Client’s
control of the defense, F&H ’s insurance is not
voided or otherwise compromised in any way, Client
shall be entitled, if Client so elect in writing
within ten days after receipt of such notice, to
take control of the defense and investigation of
such Claim and to employ and engage attorneys to
handle and defend the same, at Client’s sole cost
and expense, with the approval of F&H , which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. F&H
shall cooperate in all reasonable respects with
Client and Client’s attorneys in the investigation,
trial and defense of such Claim and any appeal
arising therefrom; provided, however, that F&H
may, at its own cost and expense, participate,
through its attorneys or otherwise, in such
investigation, trial and defense of such Claim and
any appeal arising therefrom. Client shall enter
into no settlement of a Claim that involves a remedy
other than the payment of money by Client without
the prior consent of F&H . c.After notice by
Client to F&H of Client’s election to assume
full control of the defense of any such Claim, and
F&H ’s approval of selected counsel, Client
shall not be liable to F&H for any legal
expenses incurred thereafter by F&H in
connection with the defense of that Claim. If Client
does not assume full control over the defense of a
Claim, then Client may participate in such defense,
at Client’s sole cost and expense, and F&H shall
have the right to defend Client in such manner as it
may deem appropriate, at Client’s cost and expense.