Refund & Cancellation Policy

1. Introductory Consultations

The 30-minute introductory consultation offered through our booking page is complimentary. No payment is charged, and therefore no refund is applicable. You may cancel or reschedule at any time by replying to your confirmation email or writing to helliotassociates@gmail.com.

2. Booking Deposits (if applicable)

If a deposit is required to secure a paid appointment, the following applies:

• Cancellation 48 hours or more before the appointment: 100% refund of the deposit.
• Cancellation less than 48 hours before: 50% refund; the remaining 50% is retained as a booking fee.
• No-show or cancellation less than 2 hours before: Non-refundable; the deposit is forfeited.

Rescheduling (as opposed to cancelling) is always free provided at least 24 hours' notice is given. Deposits credit toward the engagement fee if you retain the firm.

3. Engagement Retainers

Paid engagements typically require a retainer described in the engagement letter. Retainers are refundable only to the extent that fees for work actually performed — billed at the rates in the engagement letter — are less than the retainer paid. Any unused portion will be returned within 14 business days of engagement termination via ACH, check, or the original payment method.

4. Completed Tax Returns & Deliverables

Once a tax return has been filed with a taxing authority, or a written deliverable (e.g., retirement-planning memo, IRS-response letter) has been transmitted to you or to a third party on your behalf, the related fee is non-refundable. Filed returns and transmitted documents represent completed work product.

If we believe an error was made by the firm, we will correct the error at no additional charge. If the issue cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, please see Section 7 below.

5. IRS Representation Engagements

IRS representation engagements (audits, appeals, collections) are billed against a retainer or on a flat-fee basis per the engagement letter. Fees for representation hours already worked are non-refundable. Unused retainer balances are returned as described in Section 3.

6. Subscriptions (if applicable)

If you enroll in a recurring (monthly or annual) planning package, you may cancel at any time with written notice. Cancellation stops future billing; the current billing period is not pro-rated or refunded. Your access to services rendered during the paid period continues until the end of that period.

7. Disputes, Chargebacks & Good-Faith Resolution

If you are dissatisfied with any service, please contact the firm at helliotassociates@gmail.com or (571) 598-5790 before initiating a credit-card chargeback. The firm will respond within two business days and attempt in good faith to resolve the matter — which may include a refund, credit, or revision of the work.

Chargebacks filed without first contacting the firm may be contested with the relevant card network, as the firm keeps detailed records of engagement letters, delivered work, and communications.

8. How Refunds Are Issued

Approved refunds are issued to the original method of payment within 5–10 business days of approval. Stripe and your issuing bank may require an additional 3–5 business days to post the credit to your statement.

9. Contact for Refund Requests

To request a refund or discuss a billing concern, email helliotassociates@gmail.com with your name, the invoice or engagement reference, and a brief description of the issue. Written requests help ensure a complete record and a timely response.

10. Changes to This Policy

This policy may be updated from time to time. The version in effect on the date your engagement letter is signed governs that engagement; subsequent changes apply only to new engagements.