Income Tax Refund: The Do’s and The Don’ts

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.

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

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

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.

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?”

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.

Tax season is getting a serious tech upgrade.

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.

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.

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.