Certified Public Accountant: Why You Need One in 2020

by | Feb 26, 2020 | Accounting, Internal Revenue Service, Tax

What does financial success mean to you? Security, peace of mind or perhaps more free time spent with family and friends probably sound right. Often times, the shape of financial success will change over the course of time (think: marriage, kids, starting a business).  It’s deeply meaningful to have a financial advocate along the way, such as a CPA , which allows us to maneuver changing needs and financial obstacles with confidence. Being financially sound is something that most, carefully work at overtime. Having a CPA in your corner, so to speak, would remove the burden and stress off your shoulders and into the watchful hands of a professional. So then, what exactly are a CPA’s qualifications?  Understanding the Qualifications of a CPA:  A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is an accountant professional who has passed the CPA exam which consists of four rigorous sessions, meets state licensing requirements and maintains their qualifications to be a licensed CPA. These professionals offer financial and tax expertise and must keep current with ever changing tax laws to maintain their licenses. CPA’s offer objective advice and assistance in strategic and targeted areas.   Top 10 – When Should You Hire a CPA:
  • Before you start a business or side job
  • If you acquire, merge, sell or close a business 
  • You own rental property
  • When bookkeeping takes you away from more important tasks 
  • Your business has experienced rapid growth 
  • Tax time for businesses and individual filings 
  • Life changes like death (inheritance) or divorce 
  • The IRS contacts you or you owe back taxes
  • Moving to a new state
  • Kids going to college
The Main Objective: The intention is to build, deepen and maintain a working relationship with your CPA overtime. You should meet regularly, annually, semi annual or quarterly, for a financial check up and most certainly during the course of tax season to ensure you are on the right track. If you have any questions about our services and how we could potentially be of value to you and/or your business, please contact us HERE or give us a call at 248-934-0550. We would be honored to help. Disclaimer

Always remember, Senter, CPA is here for you if you need any assistance.

Don't hesitate to give us a call at 248-934-0550, or contact us below.

How to Document Charitable Donations for Tax Deductions

Accurate documentation is essential when claiming charitable contributions on your tax return. The IRS requires specific records depending on the type and value of your donations. Maintaining proper records ensures your contributions are deductible and helps you avoid issues if your return is ever reviewed.

How to make Federal & State Income Tax Payments (update January 2026)

Paying federal and Michigan income taxes is pretty straightforward and are now required to be paid online.

2025 Individual Tax Return Process

At Senter, CPA, our goal is to make your tax preparation experience as seamless and efficient as possible.

What are QCD’s?

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are a tax-efficient way for eligible IRA owners to support charitable organizations while managing taxable income. Individuals who are age 70½ or older may donate up to $108,000 in 2025 directly from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity. When structured properly, a QCD is excluded from taxable income, may satisfy Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) requirements, and can help reduce overall tax liability.

Common Tax Documentation for 2025 Tax Season

Getting your tax documents organized for your preparer can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. One of the most common questions we hear is, “What documents do I need for my individual tax return?”

2025 Senter, CPA Year in Review

Reflecting on 2025, Senter CPA has experienced significant growth and success, both personally and professionally. As we roll into 2026, we’re heading into our ninth year as a firm. That’s wild. It honestly feels like just yesterday that we unlocked the doors on January 1, 2018.

URGENT: New Electronic Payment Requirements

Tax season is getting a serious tech upgrade.

New Schedule C Excel Worksheet For 2025

If you file Schedule C as a sole proprietor or single-member LLC, you already know how detailed the IRS can be. The form requires a thorough breakdown of your business income and expenses, leaving little room for guesswork. Schedule C is the primary IRS form used to report your business’s profit or loss and completing it accurately is essential for both compliance and tax planning.

New Schedule E Excel Worksheet For 2025

If you report rental income on Schedule E, you already know the IRS wants your numbers broken out by category and by property. Schedule E is the main IRS form used to report rental real estate income and expenses on your personal return, and clean detail makes prep faster and cuts down on follow-ups.

Help Us Keep Spreading the Senter CPA Magic!

First off—thank you for being part of the Senter, CPA, P.C. family! Whether we helped untangle your taxes, guided your business through accounting complexities, or simply answered that one stubborn finance question that was bugging you, we hope we’ve made your financial life a little easier (and maybe even a little brighter!). Now, we’re turning to you—not for more numbers or forms—but for just a few kind words.