Today we’d like to introduce you to Santiago Plancarte-Benson EA, LTC.
Hi Santiago, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into the tax profession started over 14 years ago working alongside my mother in her tax business. She built that business to serve the Latino community, and growing up around it showed me how much of an impact you can have by helping people navigate something as important and often stressful as their finances and taxes.
In 2021, my mother passed away unexpectedly. At that point, I had a decision to make. I chose to continue what she had started because I believed in her mission and wanted to honor the legacy she had built. Since then, I’ve worked to grow the business while staying true to the values she instilled in me, treating every client with honesty, respect, and genuine care.
In 2024, I officially launched my own practice under Benson Accounting & Tax Solutions. That same year, I earned my Enrolled Agent credential, which gives me unlimited practice rights before the IRS, as well as my Oregon Licensed Tax Consultant license. Those credentials have allowed me to expand beyond tax preparation into IRS representation, bookkeeping, payroll, business consulting, and helping small businesses grow.
Today, I’m proud of how far we’ve come. We’ve grown from a one-person operation into a team that includes a CPA and two tax preparers, with plans to hire one or two more employees before the upcoming tax season. My focus now is not only on serving our clients but also on building a team that shares the same commitment to integrity and exceptional service.
Looking back, what started as carrying on my mother’s legacy has become something even bigger. It’s about continuing to serve our community, creating opportunities for my employees, and building a firm that clients can rely on for years to come.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a mixture of both. My mother laid the foundation for my business and taught me the importance of hard work and taking care of people. As the business has grown, one of my biggest challenges has been finding the right balance between serving my clients and maintaining a healthy personal life. Early on, I often felt like I needed to be available all the time because I wanted every client to feel valued. Over time, I realized that constantly trying to please everyone wasn’t sustainable and could actually hurt both my business and my family life.
One of the biggest steps I’ve taken to create that balance has been building a strong team. I now have one CPA and two tax preparers working alongside me, and I’m planning to hire one or two more employees before the upcoming tax season. Delegating responsibilities has allowed me to focus on higher-level work, spend more time mentoring my staff, and still provide excellent service to my clients. It has also taught me that leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself, it’s about building a team you trust and creating systems that allow the business to grow without sacrificing your personal well-being.
I’m still learning and improving, but I think I’ve become much better at setting healthy boundaries while continuing to provide the level of service my clients expect.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Benson Accounting & Tax Solutions is a full-service accounting and tax firm focused on helping individuals, families, and small businesses make informed financial decisions throughout the year, not just during tax season. While we’re known for tax preparation, that’s really only one part of what we do. We also provide bookkeeping, payroll, business consulting, IRS and state tax representation, tax planning, entity formation, and accounting cleanup for businesses that need to get back on track.
One area that truly sets us apart is tax representation. As an Enrolled Agent and Oregon Licensed Tax Consultant, I have the ability to represent taxpayers before the IRS and help resolve complex tax issues. Whether it’s payment plans, Offers in Compromise, audits, penalty relief, or helping clients navigate difficult situations, I enjoy being an advocate for people when they need it most. Many of our clients come to us feeling overwhelmed, and one of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping them leave with a clear plan and peace of mind.
Another thing that sets us apart is the relationships we build with our clients. We don’t believe in treating people like a number or rushing them through an appointment. We take the time to educate our clients, explain their options, and help them understand the “why” behind our recommendations. We want our clients to feel confident making financial decisions, whether they’re filing a tax return, starting a business, or planning for the future.
I’m also incredibly proud of the team we’ve built. We’ve grown from a small family business into a firm that includes a CPA and multiple licensed tax preparers, with plans to continue expanding. Investing in education and professional development is a big part of our culture because the more knowledgeable our team becomes, the better we can serve our clients.
At the end of the day, what I’m most proud of isn’t just the growth of the business, it’s the trust our clients place in us. Many of our clients have been with us for years, refer their friends and family, and come back because they know we’ll always put their best interests first. That’s the reputation we’re committed to protecting as we continue to grow.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I don’t consider myself someone who takes reckless risks, but I do believe that some opportunities are worth betting on if you’ve done the work to prepare for them.
The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was leaving my career with the U.S. Postal Service after 12 years. I had a stable job, good benefits, and a retirement plan. Things that many people spend their careers working toward. Walking away from that security to start my own business was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made.
I couldn’t have done it without my wife. When I was trying to decide whether to make that leap, she gave me her full support and believed in me even when there were plenty of unknowns. During those early years, she carried our family financially and emotionally while I focused on building the business from the ground up. Having someone who believed in my vision made all the difference.
Today, one of the things I’m most proud of is that I’ve been able to return that support. The business has grown to the point where my wife no longer has to work outside the home. She was able to leave her job, and now she has the flexibility to spend more time with our family and pursue what matters most to her. That, to me, is one of the greatest rewards of taking that risk.
That experience also shaped the way I think about risk. I don’t believe in taking chances blindly. I believe in educating yourself, working hard, and making calculated decisions. There are always unknowns in business, but if you prepare, surround yourself with good people, and stay committed to your goals, those risks become opportunities for growth. Looking back, leaving the security of my career was intimidating, but it was also the decision that changed my family’s future.
Pricing:
- all of my pricing is on my website. www.bensonats.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bensonats.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BensonATS/
