Last updated · 6 May 2024

Terms of Service

Welcome to ConsultKarlo. By accessing or using consultkarlo.com or our mobile applications (the "Platform") operated by ConsultKarlo Technologies Pvt. Ltd., you agree to be bound by these terms.

1. What ConsultKarlo is

ConsultKarlo is a marketplace that connects users with independent, ICAI-registered Chartered Accountants and ICSI-registered Company Secretaries ("Experts"). We do not provide professional advice ourselves — the Expert you book is solely responsible for the substance and quality of their advice.

2. Eligibility

• You must be 18+ and legally able to enter contracts in India.
• You must provide accurate information at signup and during bookings.
• You may not impersonate others or evade detection systems.

3. Bookings & payments

3a. Pricing model

For every consultation, you pay:

• A CA/CS fee set by the Expert (e.g., ₹99 for 10 minutes). The Expert receives 100% of this fee.
• A platform fee (currently ₹51 flat, or ₹6/min for per-minute sessions) charged by ConsultKarlo for verification, secure connection, recording, and support.

All prices are inclusive of applicable GST. An e-invoice is issued post-session.

3b. Payment

You may pay via Wallet (pre-loaded balance), UPI, debit/credit card, or net banking. Funds are debited at booking; the Expert's portion is held in escrow until the session is completed satisfactorily.

3c. Cancellations & refunds

• Before the call connects: 100% refund (minus applicable payment-gateway fees).
• If the Expert doesn't connect within 15 minutes: 100% automatic refund.
• Quality dispute: raise within 24 hours via disputes@consultkarlo.com. Eligible refunds are issued within 3 business days after review.

4. Expert verification

We verify each Expert's ICAI/ICSI membership at onboarding and at least once every 12 months. We may suspend an Expert's account immediately on disciplinary action by ICAI/ICSI, repeated low ratings, or evidence of misconduct.

5. Acceptable use

You agree not to:

• Use the platform for illegal activities, money laundering, or tax evasion.
• Solicit Experts off-platform to avoid platform fees (this voids dispute-resolution rights and may close your account).
• Record sessions without the Expert's per-session consent (and vice versa).
• Reverse-engineer, scrape, or attempt to break our systems.

6. Disclaimers

Advice from Experts is professional opinion based on the information you provide. ConsultKarlo does not warrant outcomes (e.g., that a GST notice will be quashed, an ITR refund will be processed). Always cross-check material decisions with appropriate documentation.

7. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Indian law, ConsultKarlo's aggregate liability arising out of or relating to these terms is limited to the amount you paid to ConsultKarlo in the 12 months preceding the claim. We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses (e.g., penalties levied by tax authorities, business losses).

8. Intellectual property

The platform — including the ConsultKarlo name, logo, design system, and code — is owned by ConsultKarlo Technologies Pvt. Ltd. You may not copy, modify, or distribute it without permission. User-generated content (notes, ratings, documents) remains yours; you grant us a limited licence to display it on the platform.

9. Termination

You may close your account anytime via Profile Settings. We may suspend or terminate accounts for material breach of these terms, with prior notice where reasonable.

10. Governing law & dispute resolution

These terms are governed by the laws of India. Any dispute is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Before filing suit, both parties agree to attempt good-faith mediation for at least 30 days.

11. Changes

We will notify users of material changes by email and prominent in-app banner at least 14 days before they take effect.

12. Contact

For terms-related questions: legal@consultkarlo.com

For grievances: grievance@consultkarlo.com