Terms and Conditions

1. Account Registration

1. 1.1 General Registration Requirements (Applies to Both Taxpayers and Tax Experts)

   • All users must create an account and provide accurate, truthful, and complete information during registration.
   • DocTax may use KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures to verify user identity and prevent fraud.
   • If users sign up using Gmail, DocTax may access basic Gmail profile information (e.g., name, email address) for account creation.
   • Users agree to keep their account credentials secure and notify DocTax immediately of any unauthorized access.
   • DocTax reserves the right to review, approve, reject, suspend, or terminate any account if misleading, inconsistent, or suspicious information is detected.
   • User data may be stored for up to 3 months after the user's last interaction with the platform.

2. 1.2 Taxpayer Registration Requirements

   • Taxpayers must provide complete and accurate information relevant to their tax situation when creating an account.
   • Taxpayers are responsible for ensuring that all details shared during consultations (documents, forms, tax data) are accurate and lawful.
   • Misrepresentation of tax information may result in incorrect tax prescription reference, account suspension or refusal of service.

3. 1.3 Tax Expert Registration Requirements

   • Tax experts must submit accurate personal information, and professional information, including credentials, licenses, experience, and identification documents.
   • DocTax may conduct background checks, verify licenses, certifications, and perform character reference checks before approving an expert profile.
   • DocTax may require additional documentation such as NBI clearance, portfolio of work, or proof of tax-related expertise.
   • DocTax has full discretion to approve or deny a tax expert application based on internal standards, verification results, or concerns regarding integrity or competence.
   • Approved tax experts must maintain up-to-date profile information and ensure professional accuracy during consultations.

2. Use of DocTax AI

• DocTax AI offers guidance and insights but does not replace professional tax advice or legal consultation.
• Users must not rely solely on AI responses for legal decisions.
• Chat data and uploaded files will be used internally for system improvement, subject to DocTax’s Privacy Policy.

3. Communication Rules

1. 3.1 Taxpayers

   • Taxpayers must not request or exchange personal contact information with tax experts.
   • All communication must remain within the DocTax platform.
   • Taxpayers must comply with data privacy laws and refrain from sharing sensitive information outside the platform.

2. 3.2 Tax Experts

   • DocTax does not guarantee client assignments during free trials or paid subscriptions.
   • Experts are prohibited from sharing personal contact information with taxpayers.
   • Experts must disable their profile visibility when unavailable.
   • DocTax may shadow-ban experts for:
     • Missing three (3) consecutive confirmed consultations
     • Violating platform rules
     • Fraudulent, suspicious, or unethical behavior
   • DocTax reserves the right to investigate any interaction that appears abusive or fraudulent.

4. Subscription (Phase 1)

1. 4.1 Tax Experts

   • Subscription enables access to the platform but does not guarantee client assignment.

2. 4.2 Taxpayers

   • Taxpayer subscription plans are not yet offered in Phase 1.

5. Payment Terms

1. 5.1 Subscription Payments (For Tax Experts)

   • All subscription fees for Tax Expert accounts are processed through DocTax’s authorized third-party payment providers. By subscribing, Tax Experts acknowledge that DocTax does not directly process or store full payment card information.
   • DocTax only shares minimum necessary information with payment processors (e.g., name, email, subscription plan details) for the sole purpose of processing and verifying payments.
   • Upon successful payment, DocTax will generate and provide the Tax Expert with an official invoice and receipt through the platform or email.
   • All subscription fees are final. No refunds, prorated credits, or reversals will be issued during Phase 1, regardless of usage, account approval status, assignment of taxpayers, or technical limitations.
   • Continued use of the platform’s features is dependent on maintaining an active, fully paid subscription.

2. 5.2 Consultation Payments (Taxpayer to Tax Expert)

   • Tax consultations conducted through the DocTax platform are free of charge by default. Taxpayers are not required to pay for general inquiries, basic guidance, or initial assessment provided during the consultation.
   • Payment is only required when the taxpayer requests additional services, including but not limited to:
     • Preparation or drafting of documents (e.g., letters, affidavits, responses, filings)
     • Tax compliance services performed on behalf of the taxpayer
     • Representation services, wherein the tax expert acts for or represents the taxpayer before any agency, such as BIR or LGU offices
   • The in-app payment feature for these paid services is not yet available in Phase 1.
   • Until this feature is introduced, all payments must be arranged manually, usually through e-wallet transfers (e.g., GCash, Maya) or bank deposits agreed upon by both parties.
   • Taxpayers acknowledge that DocTax is not responsible for monitoring or intervening in manually processed payments. Any issues such as disputes, delays, or incorrect transfers are the responsibility of the taxpayer and tax expert.
   • DocTax may request documentation or proof of payment solely for investigating disputes, system audits, or quality assurance.

6. User Feedback, Ratings, and Conduct Management

• Taxpayers may rate, commend, or report tax experts after a consultation session. This feedback may include ratings, written comments, or reports relating to the tax expert’s professionalism, responsiveness, knowledge, communication quality, and overall service experience. All feedback submitted through the platform must be truthful, respectful, and based on actual interactions.
• Tax experts may request disciplinary action against taxpayers who exhibit behavior that violates platform rules. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • refusal to follow consultation guidelines
  • providing false or misleading information
  • displaying abusive, threatening, or disrespectful behavior
  • attempting to move communication outside DocTax
  • requesting prohibited actions
  • failing to comply with payment agreements for additional services Tax experts may request that DocTax issue warnings, apply temporary restrictions, or permanently ban a taxpayer from the platform.
• DocTax reserves the right to investigate and moderate user behavior whenever a rating, report, or complaint is submitted by either party. DocTax may review chat logs, documentation, and system activity to validate claims. Based on findings, DocTax may apply corrective actions such as:
  • issuing warnings
  • temporarily limiting platform features
  • restricting communication
  • suspending accounts
  • permanently banning a user
  • holding of payments for tax expert, as applicable
  • removing abusive or inappropriate content These actions are taken to maintain a safe, respectful, and trustworthy environment for both taxpayers and tax experts.

7. Post-Consultation Documentation

• Consultation documentation will be accessible to both the taxpayer and the tax expert. Any files, notes, summaries, recommendations, or reference materials created or exchanged during the consultation will be stored within the DocTax platform and made available to both parties for review. This allows taxpayers to revisit the advice provided and enables tax experts to maintain accurate records of their engagements. Users are responsible for ensuring that any documents they upload or share do not violate confidentiality obligations or contain unlawful content.
• DocTax may review, audit, and store consultation files for quality assurance, verification, or dispute resolution. To maintain a high standard of service and ensure compliance with platform policies, DocTax reserves the right to:
  • review consultation records, chat transcripts, uploaded documents, and generated files
  • verify that tax experts are providing accurate, ethical, and professional guidance
  • investigate complaints, reported misconduct, or possible fraudulent activity
  • store consultation documentation for internal evaluation or regulatory alignment Such reviews will be conducted responsibly and only when necessary to protect platform integrity, user safety, or legal compliance. DocTax may retain copies of documentation for a reasonable period as part of its audit trail.

8. Suspension & Termination

DocTax reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to suspend, restrict, or permanently terminate a user’s access to the platform, features, or services when necessary to protect platform integrity, user safety, or compliance with applicable laws. Actions may be taken without prior notice in cases involving serious or urgent violations. Grounds for suspension or termination include, but are not limited to:

• Violations of these Terms of Use This includes failure to comply with platform rules, prohibited behaviors, communication guidelines, payment obligations, verification requirements, or misuse of any system feature. Repeated or severe violations may result in immediate account removal.
• Fraud, scams, or misuse of the platform DocTax may apply necessary actions, suspend or terminate accounts involved in:
  • attempt to move conversation, communication outside DocTax
  • fraudulent identity or credential submissions
  • misrepresentation of professional qualifications
  • solicitation or engagement in off-platform transactions meant to bypass policies
  • attempts to deceive, manipulate, or exploit other users
  • uploading false, altered, or misleading documents Any activity that undermines trust or disrupts the validity of consultations may result in permanent removal.
• Actions harmful to platform operations or user safety DocTax may take disciplinary action against users engaging in behavior that jeopardizes the platform or its community, including:
  • harassment, abusive language, threats, or discriminatory behavior
  • attempting unauthorized access to system data or accounts
  • spreading malware, conducting phishing attempts, or exploiting security vulnerabilities
  • encouraging illegal or unethical acts
  • purposely disrupting consultations When necessary, DocTax may also coordinate with legal or regulatory authorities to address harmful activities.

DocTax may also implement temporary restrictions, such as limiting messaging capabilities, hiding expert profiles, or imposing warnings before full suspension when appropriate. Users may be notified of violations at DocTax’s discretion, but DocTax is not obligated to provide advance notice for serious breaches.

9. Changes to Terms

DocTax may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the platform after updates signifies acceptance.