J & J TAXES AND MORE

05/27/2026

The Michigan Education Trust (MET), Michigan’s 529 prepaid tuition savings program, is providing a special bonus to assist families in getting started on saving for their loved ones’ future education.

“529 plans give Michigan families a powerful way to prepare for the future,” whether a child dreams of attending college, earning a certificate or learning a skilled trade, saving now can open doors later. 529 Day is a reminder that every dollar saved today can help create opportunity tomorrow.”

The $50 bonus per beneficiary is limited to qualifying contracts with a required $250 contribution initiated May 29, 2026, through June 1, 2026. The new contract must use a special promotional code to complete the application, and the contribution must be made in one transaction during the qualifying period. Rules and eligibility criteria for the $50 bonus can be found on MET’s website.

05/26/2026

Just a reminder we are by appointment only!
We will generally be in the office Tuesday through Thursday 12 to 5.

05/21/2026

The Michigan legislature is working on a bill to expand the state sales tax (currently 6%), to include services.
Services are things like hair stylist appointments, accounting services, home repairs/maintenance, healthcare services, auto repairs etc.
This additional tax would be put into place in an attempt to eliminate the state’s property taxes.

To break it down:
A service that costs you $100 would be $106.
A service that costs you $1000 would end up costing $1060.

Also keep in mind the additional paperwork and accounting fees that the services would have to pass on to their clients/customers.

Would that additional costs be worth it, if your property tax was greatly reduced or eliminated?

What do you think?

05/08/2026

The IRS has begun sending out notices to those people that "owed" more than $1000.00 and penalizing them!
The best way to avoid these penalties is increase the amount you have withheld from your paycheck or pensions. (Fill out an updated W4 or W4P) or make estimated (quarterly) payments.

05/06/2026

An example of a “scam!”
If in doubt ask your tax professional!

05/04/2026

05/01/2026

Statement from the National Association of Tax Professionals:

CP53E Causing Confusion on Balance-Due Returns

Taxpayers are reporting an increase in CP53E notices referencing “missing direct deposit information,” even when a return shows a balance due. This appears to be a system-generated message tied to missing banking information, not the taxpayer’s actual outcome. This has raised questions from both practitioners and clients about accuracy and whether action is needed.

NATP brought this issue directly to the IRS. Here’s the current understanding:

The CP53E notice is legitimate, not a scam, despite concerns about QR codes.

Balance-due situations are still being evaluated by the IRS and the IRS doesn’t yet have clear data.

Published official guidance is expected soon.

Until official guidance is released, we recommend telling your client that if the return shows a balance, the direct deposit language does not apply and can be ignored.

04/29/2026

There is a cliche with the IRS:
They have been sending letters to taxpayers that paid their balance due (in other words they owed and paid it). that they need their bank account to process their refund.
Obviously this is incorrect letter, there was no refund!
If you get one of those letters, simply file it, but don't worry about it.

04/22/2026

A big Thank You to our clients! We appreciate you sticking with us and putting your trust in us.
It was the craziest year we've had in 30 years of doing taxes!
Between all the new tax laws, the misinformation that was out there and the state of Michigan changing the rules out of the blue (as well as dragging their feet on refunds), it was brutal for us tax people.
I want to give a special "Thank You" to the other "J" my wife Jennene. She saved me this year and helped my get through a difficult year. She really stepped up and I really appreciate her.