Retirement Penalty

Protect Yourself from Tax Identity Theft

At Senter CPA, we’re serious about protecting your personal and financial information. One simple but powerful way you can protect your tax identity is by getting an IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN).

Here’s what it is, why it matters, and how to get one.

Let’s clear something up right away: bookkeeping is not just typing numbers into a spreadsheet while drinking coffee and judging people’s expense decisions.

Well, it’s partly that. But there’s so much more to it.

If you recently received a strange notice from the Michigan Department of Treasury, take a breath. You are not the only one.

Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for supporting our team. Thank you for your patience, your feedback, your referrals, and your grace during one of the busiest times of the year.

You did it. You gathered the documents, answered the questions, signed where needed, and got your tax return filed. If we helped prepare it for you, we can confidently say you handled your part like a pro. Now comes the part nobody loves but everyone participates in anyway: waiting for your refund.

If April 15 came and went and you didn’t file your tax return, or submit an extension, you’re definitely not the only one. It happens every year for all kinds of reasons. The important thing now is what you do next.

Every year, the IRS releases its “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams, and every year the schemes get a little more creative and a lot more convincing. The 2026 list is no exception.

Not going to make the April 15the deadline?

That’s okay. Nothing bad will happen.

First, let’s be clear

A tax extension gives you more time to file. It does not give you more time to pay.

IRS impersonation scams are becoming more sophisticated. The newest trend involves fraudulent IRS communications – delivered via email, phone calls, or even seemingly official mail – that attempt to intimidate individuals into providing personal information or making payments.