Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Belgium Accounting ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website belgiumaccounting.com ("the Service").

We respect your privacy and want you to understand how we use cookies to improve your experience, provide security, and comply with legal requirements.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They help the website remember information about your visit, such as your preferences, login status, and language settings.

Types of Cookies We Use:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
• First-Party Cookies: Cookies set by belgiumaccounting.com
• Third-Party Cookies: Cookies set by external services we use (if applicable)

3. Cookies We Use

Cookie Name	Type	Purpose	Duration
cookie_consent	Essential	Stores your cookie consent preference to avoid repeatedly showing the cookie banner	1 year
auth_token	Essential	Maintains your login session and authentication state	Session
fisca_access	Essential	Verifies access permission for specific protected company accounts	7 days
language	Functional	Remembers your language preference (Dutch, French, English, German)	6 months
timezone	Functional	Stores your detected timezone for accurate timestamp display	6 months

Essential Cookies

Essential cookies are strictly necessary for the Service to function. These cookies enable core functionality such as security, authentication, and access control. We cannot provide our Service without these cookies, and they cannot be disabled.

Functional Cookies

Functional cookies enhance your experience by remembering your preferences (language, timezone). While not strictly essential, they significantly improve usability. You can disable these cookies, but some features may not work as expected.

4. Timezone Detection

When you first visit our Service, we automatically detect your timezone using your browser's timezone settings. This is done using JavaScript and does not require cookies or external services.

Why we detect timezone: To display dates and times (invoice dates, login timestamps, audit logs) in your local timezone, making the Service more user-friendly for Belgian users across different time zones or when traveling.

How it works: Your browser provides timezone information (e.g., "Europe/Brussels") which we store in a functional cookie for future visits. No personal data or location tracking is involved.

5. Your Cookie Choices

5.1 Cookie Banner

When you first visit belgiumaccounting.com, you'll see a cookie banner explaining our use of cookies. You can:

• Accept All Cookies: Allows both essential and functional cookies
• Accept Essential Only: Only essential cookies required for the Service to function
• Learn More: Read this detailed Cookie Policy

5.2 Browser Cookie Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
• Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site permissions

Note: If you disable or delete essential cookies, you will not be able to log in or use authenticated features of the Service.

5.3 Changing Your Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clearing your browser cookies (this will reset your choices)
• Deleting the cookie_consent cookie to see the banner again
• Contacting us at admin@garden-stack.com if you need assistance

6. Data Security

Cookies containing sensitive information (such as authentication tokens) are:

• Encrypted: Using industry-standard encryption (AES-256-GCM)
• HTTP-Only: Not accessible via JavaScript to prevent XSS attacks
• Secure: Only transmitted over HTTPS connections
• SameSite: Protected against CSRF attacks

7. Third-Party Services

We do NOT use third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking services that set cookies on our website.

The only external service we integrate with is:

• SPF Finances (MyMinfin API): For Belgian tax authority integration. SPF Finances may use OAuth tokens (stored encrypted as cookies) but does not track your browsing behavior.

8. GDPR Compliance

Our use of cookies complies with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive:

• Consent: We obtain your consent before setting non-essential cookies
• Transparency: We clearly explain what cookies we use and why
• Control: You can withdraw consent at any time
• Data Minimization: We only use cookies necessary for our Service
• Security: Cookies containing personal data are encrypted and protected

9. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by:

• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Displaying a notice on the Service
• Requesting renewed consent if required by law

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us: