Cybersecurity built for tax professionals
From IRS compliance to real-time threat protection, we handle your cybersecurity so you can focus on serving your clients.
Everything your tax practice needs
Everything included in our tax security plan
Written Information Security Plan (WISP)
PTIN compliance documentation
Employee security awareness training
Phishing simulation campaigns
Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
Email security and encryption
Managed firewall and VPN
Encrypted backup and disaster recovery
Incident response planning
Annual security risk assessment
Vulnerability scanning
Dark web monitoring for your practice
A practical security baseline for tax preparers
Tax preparers need a security program that protects taxpayer information without slowing every client interaction. Start with the highest-risk paths: email and portal accounts, preparation software, office workstations, remote access, document storage, backups, and third-party service providers. Identify who owns each safeguard and how the practice verifies that it is working.
The baseline should include MFA, unique accounts, managed endpoint protection, secure document exchange, limited administrative access, timely software updates, and recovery copies that cannot be altered through ordinary user credentials. Staff should know how to report suspicious messages and what to do when a client account, device, or filing credential may be compromised.
Document these practices in a WISP that reflects the real environment. IRS Publications 4557 and 5708 and the FTC Safeguards Rule guide provide authoritative starting points. Bellator can help convert them into an implementation plan, evidence checklist, and ongoing review cadence sized to the practice.
Priority implementation checklist
- Protect email, tax software, portals, and administrator accounts with MFA
- Use named accounts and remove access when roles change
- Manage and monitor every device that handles taxpayer data
- Exchange documents through approved secure channels
- Keep separate recovery copies and test them
- Record incidents, corrective actions, and WISP reviews
Authoritative starting points: IRS Publication 4557, IRS Publication 5708, and the FTC Safeguards Rule compliance guide.
Common questions
Yes. The IRS requires all tax return preparers with a PTIN to have a Written Information Security Plan, regardless of practice size. Our templates scale to fit solo practitioners.
Non-compliance can result in IRS penalties, potential loss of your PTIN, civil lawsuits from affected clients, and reputational damage that can end your practice.
With our templates and guided implementation, most solo practitioners can be compliant within a week. Larger practices typically take 2-4 weeks with our support.
Yes. Our managed security plans include continuous threat monitoring, quarterly vulnerability assessments, and annual compliance reviews to keep your practice continuously protected.
From requirement to defensible practice
Turn IRS and FTC expectations into a WISP your office can follow
A useful compliance path makes the obligation clear, identifies the evidence to retain, and connects written policy to the safeguards used every day.
- Know what applies
- Document the evidence
- Make the safeguard operational
A defensible path
- 01
Confirm the requirement
Separate what is required from recommendations and vendor language.
- 02
Map it to your environment
Connect the rule to people, devices, data, vendors, and current procedures.
- 03
Close and document the gaps
Prioritize changes and keep evidence that the process is being followed.
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Keep exploring Tax security & WISP
Understand what tax professionals need to document, protect, and prepare before an IRS or FTC review.
- Common question: free WISP templateStart with a written information security planUse a practical WISP framework built around the safeguards tax practices need.
- Common question: IRS Publication 4557 requirementsRead the Publication 4557 guideSee how the IRS expects tax professionals to safeguard taxpayer data.
- Common question: IRS WISP requirementsReview the WISP requirementsWork through the required sections and the evidence your practice should retain.
- Common question: FTC Safeguards Rule checklistUse the FTC Safeguards checklistTranslate the rule into a clear list of security and documentation tasks.
- Common question: tax practice incident response planPrepare a tax-office incident planKnow who to contact, what to preserve, and how to respond to a client-data incident.