Stout Tax Strategies prepares federal and Michigan tax returns for individuals, retirees, self-employed professionals, and businesses throughout St. Clair Shores and Macomb County. Our office is at 32008 Harper Ave. We file both federal and Michigan returns together, review every applicable credit on every return, and quote a flat price before any work begins.
Filing software doesn't proactively ask the right questions. These three credits are commonly missed on St. Clair Shores returns:
Refundable credit up to $1,800 for homeowners and renters whose property tax exceeds 3.2% of total household resources. Requires income under $71,500 and, for homeowners, taxable value under $165,400. Filed on Form MI-1040CR. Missed on a significant share of eligible returns each year because software doesn't flag it automatically.
For 2026, all eligible retirees can deduct up to $67,610 (single) or $135,220 (joint) in combined pension and retirement income, regardless of birth year. The old birth-year tier system is gone. If you were born before 1946, you may still elect the older unlimited exemption on public pensions if that produces a better outcome.
S-corp and partnership owners who made the annual FTE election can claim a refundable credit on their personal return for tax paid at the entity level. This is Michigan's workaround for the federal $10,000 SALT cap. If your preparer isn't asking about your FTE election, they may be leaving money on the table.
Form 1040 + MI-1040 for W-2 filers, retirees, and investors. We check the homestead credit, retirement exemption, EITC, Child Tax Credit, and education credits on every applicable return. Starting from $150.
Schedule C with home office, mileage at 72.5¢/mile (2026), and SE tax calculation. Quarterly estimated payment calculation included. If net income exceeds $50,000-$80,000, we evaluate S-corp election. Starting from $300.
Form 1120-S (S-corps, due March 15), Form 1065 (partnerships), Form 1120 (C-corps, due April 15). FTE election analysis, K-1 preparation, and Michigan CIT for C-corps. Starting from $600.
Capital gains, dividends, and brokerage reconciliation. Michigan taxes capital gains at the flat 4.25% rate with no separate long-term rate. Rental property with depreciation schedules. Starting from $250.
If a prior-year return missed a credit or deduction, we prepare Form 1040-X and the Michigan amendment. Generally worth filing if the potential refund exceeds $300 and the original return is within the 3-year window.
CP2000, CP14, audit letters, and Michigan Treasury assessments reviewed and responded to before the deadline. For returns we prepared, notice review is included. New clients get a flat-fee quote.
| Return Type | Our Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Individual — W-2, standard deduction | $150 – $250 | Federal Form 1040 + MI-1040, homestead credit check |
| Individual — itemized or multiple sources | $250 – $400 | Mortgage interest, charitable, investments, retirement |
| Self-employed — Schedule C | $300 – $600 | Expense deductions, mileage, home office, SE tax, estimated payments |
| S-corp — Form 1120-S | $800 – $1,500 | K-1s, FTE election review, payroll reconciliation |
| Partnership — Form 1065 | $700 – $1,400 | K-1s for all partners, allocation review |
| C-corp — Form 1120 | $900 – $2,000+ | Michigan CIT, depreciation schedules |
Federal and Michigan returns are always filed together — no separate state fee. Every price is flat and confirmed before work begins.
| Your Situation | DIY Software Fine? | Professional Prep Worth It? |
|---|---|---|
| Single W-2, standard deduction, no investments | Yes — software does this well | Still worth checking for Michigan credits software misses |
| W-2 + property ownership (homestead credit eligible) | Possible — if you know to look | Credit is commonly missed in software; professional review often pays for itself |
| Retirement income with pension and Social Security | Risky — 2026 exemption rules are new | Yes — new unified exemption and tier elections require accurate calculation |
| Self-employed or 1099 income | Software handles basics only | Yes — home office, mileage, QBI, SE tax, quarterly payments all have judgment calls |
| S-corp or partnership owner | No — too complex for consumer software | Yes — required for accurate K-1s and FTE election |
| IRS notice received | No | Yes — software cannot respond to or represent you in IRS matters |
On the question of cost: a basic individual return at a St. Clair Shores independent firm runs $150-$350. TurboTax Deluxe plus a state return costs around $80-$130. The real question isn't the price difference but whether the software actually finds everything — the homestead credit, the retirement exemption, the FTE credit. On returns that qualify for all three, the difference in refund often exceeds the difference in prep fees.
We review your prior-year return, identify your income sources, and confirm the right forms. You get a flat price quote before we touch your documents.
W-2s, 1099s, property tax statement, mortgage interest, brokerage statements — collected via secure upload or in person at 32008 Harper Ave. We provide a personalized checklist so nothing gets missed.
Federal and Michigan returns prepared together. Every Michigan-specific credit reviewed. Return checked for accuracy before you see the draft.
You approve and e-sign. We e-file. We remain available for IRS notices, estimated payment questions, and any tax questions that come up during the year.
| Item | 2026 Figure |
|---|---|
| Michigan income tax rate | 4.25% (flat) |
| Individual filing deadline | April 15 (extension to October 15) |
| S-corp / partnership filing deadline | March 15 (extension to September 15) |
| Homestead Property Tax Credit max | $1,800 (income limit: $71,500; taxable value limit: $165,400) |
| Retirement income exemption (2026) | $67,610 single / $135,220 joint |
| Social Security — Michigan taxable? | No — fully exempt for all filers |
| City income tax — St. Clair Shores | None (Detroit: 2.4% resident / 1.2% nonresident) |
| Standard mileage rate (business, 2026) | 72.5 cents per mile |
| Solo 401(k) contribution limit | $23,500 employee / $70,000 combined |
Michigan Department of Treasury and IRS, 2026. General reference — not tax advice for your specific return.
We're on Harper Ave between 12 Mile Road and Masonic Blvd, a few blocks from the Nautical Mile. Walk-ins welcome during business hours. Appointments available. Full remote service for clients throughout Macomb County who prefer not to come in.
Individual W-2 returns with standard deduction run $150-$250, including both the federal and Michigan return. Itemized or multiple-source returns are $250-$400. Self-employed with Schedule C is $300-$600. S-corp returns run $800-$1,500. Every price is flat and confirmed before work begins.
Yes, always. The Michigan MI-1040 pulls from federal figures, so filing them separately increases the risk of mismatches. Our quoted price covers both federal and state — we don't bill the state return separately.
Three main ones: the Homestead Property Tax Credit (up to $1,800 for homeowners and renters within the income and property value limits), the Michigan retirement income exemption ($67,610 single / $135,220 joint for 2026), and the FTE tax credit for S-corp and partnership owners who made the annual FTE election. We check eligibility for these on every applicable return, not just when clients ask.
Prior-year federal and Michigan return, all W-2s and 1099s, property tax statement (for homestead credit), mortgage interest statement (Form 1098), any brokerage statements for investments, and health insurance form (1095-A if Marketplace). Self-employed clients should also bring income and expense records. Missing anything? We can pull your IRS wage and income transcript directly.
No. St. Clair Shores does not levy a city income tax. However, if you earn wages working inside Detroit or one of Michigan's other 23 taxing cities, you owe that city's nonresident tax rate (1.2% for Detroit) on wages earned there. We handle that separate filing as part of your return.
Yes. We handle the full process remotely: secure document upload, phone or video consultation, e-signature, and e-filing. In-person appointments are available at 32008 Harper Ave for those who prefer them, but remote is equally full-service.
Yes, year-round. We're available for IRS notices, estimated payment calculations, mid-year planning questions, payroll, and bookkeeping throughout the year — not just during filing season.
For returns we prepared, notice review is included. New clients receive flat-fee notice response. We identify the notice type, pull your IRS transcripts, draft the response, and file it before the deadline — typically 30 days from the notice date.
Walk in to 32008 Harper Ave, call, or book online. We'll review your situation, confirm your price, and handle everything from there.
Schedule a Free Consultation Call 586-757-6116