MI Tax & Accounting Services
Kurt Simmons CPA provides comprehensive tax and financial services to individuals and businesses throughout Michigan (MI). With its automotive industry and growing tech sector, we understand the unique financial landscape that comes with doing business in Michigan.
Under the CPA Mobility Act, our CPA — licensed in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida — is authorized to provide the full range of attestation, tax, and advisory services to Michigan clients without the need for an additional state license. This means Michigan individuals and businesses receive the same comprehensive service as our home-state clients: financial statement audits, tax strategy, IRS representation, virtual CFO services, and every other service we offer — delivered through our technology-forward, virtual-first practice model.
CPA Services Available in Michigan (MI)
MI Individual Tax Preparation
Comprehensive federal and Michigan state tax return preparation, including complex returns with investments, rental properties, and self-employment income.
Learn More →MI Business Tax Services
Tax preparation and planning for Michigan-based businesses including S-Corps, C-Corps, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships.
Learn More →MI Cryptocurrency Tax
Specialized crypto tax services for Michigan investors and traders. DeFi, NFTs, staking rewards, and exchange reporting handled with expertise.
Learn More →MI Trader Tax Services
Mark-to-market elections, wash sale tracking, and tax optimization strategies for active traders in Michigan.
Learn More →MI IRS Resolution
Professional representation before the IRS for Michigan taxpayers facing audits, collections, liens, levies, or offers in compromise.
Learn More →MI 83(b) Elections
Equity compensation planning and 83(b) election filing for Michigan startup employees and founders receiving restricted stock.
Learn More →MI Financial Statement Audits
Full-scope GAAS-compliant financial statement audits for businesses, nonprofits, and organizations requiring independent assurance.
Learn More →MI Review Engagements
Limited assurance engagements providing meaningful confidence in financial statements for lender requirements and stakeholder reporting.
Learn More →MI Compilations
Professionally prepared financial statements from management-provided data for internal reporting, small business needs, and bank presentations.
Learn More →MI Agreed-Upon Procedures
Targeted, customized engagements designed to address specific areas of concern with flexible scope tailored to stakeholder needs.
Learn More →MI Employee Benefit Plan Audits
DOL-compliant audits for 401(k), pension, and employee benefit plans meeting ERISA filing requirements and fiduciary obligations.
Learn More →MI Tax Strategy & Advisory
Proactive, year-round tax planning that identifies savings opportunities. Entity structure optimization, multi-state planning, and strategic initiatives.
Learn More →MI Cost Segregation Studies
Engineering-based analysis to accelerate depreciation deductions on commercial and residential rental properties, maximizing cash flow.
Learn More →MI Virtual CFO Services
Fractional CFO capabilities including financial modeling, cash flow management, KPI dashboards, and strategic financial leadership.
Learn More →MI Business Consulting
Operational assessments, process improvement, internal control design, and strategic planning to drive efficiency and profitability.
Learn More →MI Estate & Succession Planning
Comprehensive estate planning, business succession strategies, and wealth transfer optimization for business owners and high-net-worth individuals.
Learn More →MI Capital Markets Advisory
Securities compliance, FINRA regulatory guidance, and capital markets advisory for businesses navigating public offerings, private placements, and broker-dealer requirements.
Learn More →Michigan Audit Services in Detail
Michigan businesses, nonprofits, and benefit plan sponsors typically need an independent audit when state law, federal rules, lenders, grantmakers, or boards require external assurance. We perform GAAS-compliant attest engagements scoped to the specific assurance need — most commonly:
Michigan Nonprofit Audits
Under Michigan's Charitable Organizations and Solicitations Act (MCL 400.273), charities registered with the Michigan Attorney General are generally required to submit audited financial statements when annual contributions equal or exceed approximately $525,000, and reviewed financial statements when contributions are between $300,000 and $525,000 (these thresholds may be adjusted). Audited statements are also routinely expected by the Kresge Foundation, the Skillman Foundation, the Hudson-Webber Foundation, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, and major Michigan grantmakers.
Michigan 401(k) & Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Michigan plan sponsors filing Form 5500 generally require an ERISA-compliant audit when the plan has 100 or more participants with account balances at the start of the plan year — the participant-counting rule effective post-SECURE 2.0. We perform full-scope and §103(a)(3)(C) limited-scope benefit plan audits for 401(k), 403(b), and defined-benefit plans across Michigan, including plans sponsored by the Big Three (Ford, GM, Stellantis) and tier-1/2 auto suppliers, Grand Rapids manufacturers (Steelcase, Herman Miller, Amway), Detroit-area healthcare systems (Henry Ford, Beaumont/Corewell Health), and rapidly growing EV battery operations.
Michigan Single Audits (Uniform Guidance)
Michigan nonprofits, municipalities, school districts, and pass-through subrecipients that expend $1,000,000 or more in federal awards in a fiscal year (the OMB threshold for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2024) are subject to the Single Audit requirements of 2 CFR Part 200. We perform Uniform Guidance Single Audits, including major-program testing, internal control work, and preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
Michigan Lender, Bonding & Investor Audits
Michigan banks, surety companies, and Michigan-based private equity, venture, and growth investors frequently require audited financial statements as a condition of credit facilities, surety capacity, or capital raises. We deliver audited financials on the timeline lenders, bonding agents, and institutional investors need.
Michigan Reviews & Compilations
Where a full audit is not required, we deliver review engagements (limited assurance) and compilations (no assurance) — both routinely accepted by Michigan lenders, by acquirers in MI M&A diligence, and by stakeholders requiring CPA-prepared financial statements.
Michigan (MI) Tax & Business Landscape
Key Michigan Tax Numbers. Personal income tax: 4.25% flat. City income tax: several Michigan cities impose local income taxes — Detroit 2.4% resident / 1.2% nonresident, plus Grand Rapids, Lansing, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Saginaw, Flint, Pontiac, and others (typically 1%–2.4%). Corporate Income Tax: 6%. Sales and use tax: 6%. Estate tax: none. Pass-through entity (PTE) — the Michigan Flow-Through Entity (FTE) Tax: 4.25% elective rate, available since tax year 2021, with corresponding refundable credit on owners' MI-1040.
Filing Mechanics. Individuals (residents and nonresidents/part-year residents) file Form MI-1040. C-corporations file Form 4891 (Michigan CIT). The Flow-Through Entity Tax is filed on Form 4891-FTE. Detroit residents file Form D-1040(R); nonresidents working in Detroit file D-1040(NR). Other Michigan cities have their own forms. Returns are due April 15 and administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury.
Detroit & Other Michigan City Income Taxes. Many Michigan cities impose their own income taxes — Detroit being the largest at 2.4% for residents and 1.2% for nonresidents working in the city. Multi-jurisdictional residents (e.g., living in the suburbs and working in Detroit, or vice versa) face complex MI state + city return mechanics. We handle Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Saginaw, Flint, Pontiac, and other Michigan city tax filings routinely.
Michigan Economy & Who We Serve. Michigan's economy is globally known for automotive manufacturing — the headquarters of Ford, GM, and Stellantis are all in metro Detroit, supported by hundreds of tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers and a rapidly growing EV battery and advanced mobility sector. Michigan also has significant manufacturing (Steelcase and Herman Miller furniture in Grand Rapids; Amway in Ada; Whirlpool in Benton Harbor), agriculture, healthcare (Henry Ford Health, Beaumont/Corewell), higher education (University of Michigan, Michigan State, Wayne State), tourism (Up North, Mackinac, Great Lakes shoreline), and the Detroit/Windsor cross-border commerce. Our typical MI clients include Big Three OEM and supplier executives, tech founders in Ann Arbor and Detroit, real estate investors, manufacturing professionals, and high-net-worth families navigating MI/Canada cross-border issues.
CPA Mobility in Michigan. Michigan has adopted CPA mobility provisions under the Uniform Accountancy Act, allowing CPAs in active good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction to provide tax, advisory, and (subject to applicable firm-level requirements) attest services to Michigan clients without obtaining a separate Michigan individual license. Kurt Simmons holds active CPA licenses in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida, and we confirm all applicable Michigan State Board of Accountancy mobility and firm registration requirements before commencing any engagement.
Cities and Communities We Serve. Our virtual-first practice serves clients across all of Michigan, including Detroit (largest city; auto, healthcare), Grand Rapids (furniture, manufacturing), Warren (auto suppliers), Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor (University of Michigan; tech), Lansing (state capital), Flint, Dearborn (Ford HQ), Livonia, Troy, Westland, Kalamazoo, the Detroit metro suburbs (Oakland County, Macomb County), the Grand Rapids metro, the Up North vacation regions, the Upper Peninsula, and every Michigan county.
Why Michigan Clients Choose Us
- GAAS-compliant audit, review, and compilation experience for nonprofits, benefit plans, and privately held businesses
- Deep expertise in MI-specific issues: Detroit and other Michigan city income taxes (D-1040 / city returns), Michigan Flow-Through Entity Tax elections, auto industry equity compensation (Big Three OEMs and suppliers), and Michigan/Canada cross-border issues for Detroit/Windsor commuters
- Capital markets background — Kurt Simmons has passed the Series 65 examination (Passed; not currently held as an active license) in addition to holding the CPA
- Specialized practices in cryptocurrency taxation, active trader tax, and 83(b) elections for MI tech/auto/EV battery startup employees
- Technology-forward, virtual-first delivery — secure client portal, e-signature, and video consultations
- Transparent, fixed-fee engagements where possible — no surprise hourly invoices
Michigan CPA — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Michigan-licensed CPA, or can an out-of-state CPA handle my MI tax and audit work?
Michigan has adopted CPA mobility provisions under the Uniform Accountancy Act. A CPA in active good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction is generally authorized to provide tax, advisory, and attest services to Michigan clients without holding a separate Michigan individual license. Kurt Simmons holds active CPA licenses in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida, and we confirm any applicable firm-level Michigan State Board of Accountancy registration before commencing attest engagements.
What is Michigan's income tax rate, and when is the MI return due?
Michigan has a flat 4.25% personal income tax. Form MI-1040 is due April 15. Importantly, several Michigan cities — including Detroit (2.4% resident / 1.2% nonresident), Grand Rapids, Lansing, Highland Park, Hamtramck, and others — also impose local income taxes that significantly increase the effective rate for residents and commuters.
Does Michigan have a SALT-cap workaround for partnerships and S-corps?
Yes. Michigan enacted an elective Flow-Through Entity (FTE) Tax effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2021. Eligible S-corps and partnerships pay an entity-level tax at 4.25% on flow-through income, and members receive a corresponding refundable credit on Form MI-1040. The election is made annually.
I work in Detroit but live in the suburbs. Do I owe Detroit city income tax?
Yes. Detroit imposes a 1.2% nonresident income tax on wages earned within the city by nonresidents (Detroit residents pay 2.4%). Several other Michigan cities also impose local income taxes on nonresidents who work in the city. Employers withhold the tax. Form D-1040(NR) reconciles annually. We handle the multi-jurisdictional MI/Detroit/suburb tax mechanics common to metro Detroit professionals.
When does my Michigan nonprofit need an audit?
Under Michigan's Charitable Organizations and Solicitations Act (MCL 400.273), charities registered with the Michigan Attorney General are generally required to submit audited financial statements when annual contributions equal or exceed approximately $525,000, and reviewed financial statements when contributions are between $300,000 and $525,000 (these thresholds are adjusted from time to time). Federal Single Audit requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 apply separately when federal award expenditures exceed $1,000,000 in a fiscal year.
I'm in the Michigan auto industry. What special tax issues apply?
Michigan auto industry professionals frequently face specialized issues we handle: equity compensation from Big Three OEMs (Ford, GM, Stellantis) and tier-1/2 suppliers, deferred compensation plans, cross-border (US/Canada) issues for residents working in Windsor or executives commuting to Detroit, R&D credits for auto suppliers, manufacturing apportionment, and the Michigan Flow-Through Entity Tax for partnerships in dealer networks and supplier groups.
Do you serve Michigan clients outside Detroit and Grand Rapids?
Yes. Our practice is virtual-first, so we serve clients across all of Michigan — including Warren, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor (UMich), Lansing (state capital), Flint, Dearborn, Livonia, Westland, Troy, Kalamazoo, the Up North vacation areas, and every Michigan county including the Upper Peninsula — with the same level of access and service.