Century Accounting and Tax Services, Inc

08/18/2026

# # # AI Is a Tool. GIGO Still Applies.

I’m a little behind on my tech news, but I came across an interesting tidbit in a TechCrunch article by Rebecca Bellan published August 3, 2026.

CNBC reported that 90% of Congressional staffers using AI are spending more on ChatGPT than Claude for things like writing memos, analyzing litigation and communicating with constituents.

That caught my attention because I use ChatGPT several times a day for many of those same types of tasks. I reserve Claude for some of my more complex work.

I’ll admit it—I was hesitant to jump into AI.

I’m not usually the person who jumps on the first shiny new technology. I tend to wait until someone else has worked out the bugs and the technology has had a chance to mature.

I did that with ChatGPT. I did it again with Claude.

But here's the part that really connects AI to my world of taxes.

When I started in accounting, we had **pen and paper, calculators and typewriters.** When computers first came into the tax office, we were using them to take handwritten returns and convert them into electronic filing.

I had a sign in my office:

**GIGO — Garbage In, Garbage Out.**

That reminder still applies today.

Tax software can pull information from documents and use AI to prepopulate tax forms. Some systems do a great job. But I have also found enough errors in AI-assisted tax input to know that **double-checking is not optional.**

And this isn't just a concern for tax professionals.

September 15 is coming up for many business tax returns, followed by October 15 for individual returns. Many taxpayers will be relying on software and AI to get everything right.

Your W-2 information might be pulled directly from the IRS. But what about state withholding? Brokerage statements? Digital assets? Information that the software simply didn't "see"?

Here's the important part:

**The IRS computer may catch income you failed to report. It won't necessarily catch a tax-saving opportunity you failed to claim.**

So whether you're using ChatGPT, Claude, tax software or another online tool, remember:

**Bots are tools. Software is a tool. And tools can make mistakes.**

GIGO still applies.

As one of your Money Mentors, I want you to understand your money and your taxes well enough to avoid unnecessary mistakes, take every legal tax savings available to you, and keep more of your money in your pocket for the things you actually want.

That's what Jay and I are trying to do with **Your Money Mentors with Karen & Jay** on Spotify—and it's what I do every day in my tax practice.

08/17/2026

For too many years, I have heard clients refer to me as their "tax preparer" .

What I Actually Do

Yes, I prepare taxes—but that's just the beginning.

As an Enrolled Agent, I work with individuals and businesses to comprehensively navigate tax strategy.

Here's what that means in practice:

Tax Planning & Strategy — I help you understand the financial impact of investment decisions, business moves, and major life changes before they happen. We model scenarios, so you're informed, not surprised.

Tax Resolution — If you're facing back taxes, I handle the process: negotiating payment arrangements, preparing correspondence to the IRS, and advocating for penalty relief or debt reduction where applicable.

Business Formation & Compliance — When you're starting a business, I work alongside your attorney to ensure you understand the tax implications of each entity structure. I also make sure you know what compliance requirements follow—like payroll accounts and filing deadlines—because the entity choice is only half the story.

Financial Wellness — Tax planning connects to your overall financial health. I help clients build budgets and regain control of their money so it works for them, not against them.

Ongoing Education — I maintain my Enrolled Agent credential through continuing education that exceeds IRS requirements, including specialized study in tax fraud investigation and resolution.

I'm here to solve tax problems strategically—not just file returns.

08/06/2026

A lot of you responded to my recent post about being prepared before life throws us a curveball, so here's another tip I thought was worth sharing.

Did you know your phone can do more than just act as a Wi-Fi hotspot?

If your internet goes down because of a storm, power outage, or another unexpected event, you may be able to connect your computer to the internet with nothing more than a USB cable connected to your phone. It's often faster and more secure than using a hotspot.

It's one of those little things you hope you never need—but you'll be glad you know it if you do.

Living on the coast, I've learned that being prepared isn't just about flashlights and bottled water. It's also about protecting your ability to access your bank accounts, insurance information, tax records, and stay in touch with family or continue working if needed.

Sometimes the smallest tips make the biggest difference.

Have you ever had to work through an internet outage? I'd love to hear what worked for you.

08/05/2026

# # Facebook

Living in a coastal city means hurricane season isn't something I read about—it's something I prepare for every year.

One thing I've learned as an Enrolled Agent is that recovering financially after a storm is much easier when you've prepared before the storm arrives.

Through Century Accounting and Tax Services, Inc., I help clients protect not only their tax and financial records but also their financial future. Jay and I also talk about these topics regularly on *Your Money Mentors with Karen & Jay* on Spotify because financial preparedness isn't just about taxes—it's about peace of mind.

Here are a few things you can do this week:
✔ Build or add to your emergency savings.
✔ Review your homeowners, flood, and wind insurance.
✔ Photograph your home and valuable belongings.
✔ Back up important financial documents and store originals in a waterproof, fire-resistant safe.
✔ Review your will, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations.
✔ Keep some cash available in case electronic payments aren't working after a storm.

No one can stop a hurricane, but every family can be better prepared for one.

What is one thing on this list you'll check off this week?

07/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/965149763015784/?fs=e&fs=e

07/03/2026

A colleague sent me this today:

**"CC (C's Claude assistant, sent on his behalf)"**

🤣

I'm getting better at organizing the things I need... *SQUIRREL!* ...or want my AI assistants to do.

So far:

✍️ **ChatGPT** is my writing partner—editing, refining, brainstorming blogs and newsletters.

🤖 **Claude** is becoming my right hand for organizing, documenting, and building systems.

Although I'm not convinced I want my emails signed:

*"KC (Karen's Claude assistant, sent on her behalf)."*

There are productive things I should be doing... but then **SQUIRREL!** Down another AI rabbit hole I go. It's like having the same song stuck on repeat.

I may need timers everywhere:

* Stop doing this.
* Go do that.
* Finish what you started.

A friend told me today he has Claude remind him to do exactly that.

And here I thought understanding the Internal Revenue Code was hard!

Accountants have a reputation for hating change, yet we adapt to tax law and procedural changes every year. AI feels different—it's evolving constantly. But learning to "teach" Claude to be my assistant reminds me of learning federal taxation years ago. You start with Form 1040, one line at a time, until the whole system makes sense.

I've already had AI help me build the framework:

* Instructions for how I want it to work.
* My writing style and voice.
* The ethical boundaries it must never cross, following IRS, NAEA, AICPA, and my own professional standards.
* A library for templates, trusted research sources, documentation, and repeatable workflows.

Just organizing my thoughts around all of this is why I love my Kindle Scribe. Sometimes I still think best with pen on paper.

Then my friend casually mentioned it took him **a month** to get Claude working exactly the way he wanted.

Me?

I'm basically Veruca Salt.

**"I want it now!"** 😄

Anyone else finding themselves happily lost in the AI rabbit hole?

06/25/2026

https://www.facebook.com/100086535788856/posts/997259229835261/?

If you are in Tax Hell, I will be your savior and help take the stress of opening mailbox for fear of tax notices be they state or federal

06/18/2026

Meta confirmed that the activity other businesses share with it, like the games you play or things you buy on other sites, will personalize your Feed and your Meta AI answers, not merely ads.

You can still opt out. You have to dig for it like a missing tax form. Here’s how to find it:

Open Settings & Privacy > Settings.

Tap Accounts Center > Your information and permissions.

Tap Activity from other businesses and choose Don’t allow us to use this activity to show you relevant content.

One for the road: What does the letter “p” in Facebook stand for? Privacy.

04/27/2026

Big changes coming soon!

I will be releasing changes to services offered and focusing more on resolution, business and personal tax/business planning helping taxpayers make smart moves before it costs them, or loved ones thousands of unnecessary tax dollars, pairing with attorneys and CPAs, and my podcast reaching out to educate and give practical action items to understand this crazy world of money management