Brickley DeLong

07/18/2026

🚗 IRS Increases Standard Mileage Rates for the Remainder of 2026

The IRS has announced a midyear increase to the standard mileage rates, effective July 1, 2026, due to rising fuel costs. This is the first midyear adjustment since 2022.

Updated rates:
📍 Business: 76¢ per mile (up from 72.5¢)
🏥 Medical & Moving: 23.5¢ per mile (up from 20.5¢)
❤️ Charitable: 14¢ per mile (unchanged)

If your business reimburses employees for mileage, now is a great time to review your reimbursement policy to ensure you're using the updated rates.

Questions? Our team is happy to help!

07/16/2026

📢 What is Workforce by Intuit?

If you use QuickBooks Online Payroll, you've likely noticed the transition to Workforce by Intuit.

Workforce is Intuit's new workforce management platform, designed to bring payroll, HR, time tracking, recruiting, onboarding, benefits, and performance management together in one place. The image below highlights the features available with each service level.

One important change to be aware of is how payroll taxes are now handled.

QuickBooks Online now requires Intuit to manage all payroll tax payments and filings for Workforce users. When payroll is processed, payroll tax funds are withdrawn and held in the QuickBooks Tax Holding Account on your balance sheet until they're due. Intuit then remits the payment directly to the appropriate tax agency.

This update is intended to simplify payroll tax management, reduce administrative tasks, and help ensure tax payments and filings are completed accurately and on time.

If you have questions about Workforce or what these changes mean for your business, we're here to help!

Source: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/r/news/intuit-unveils-quickbooks-workforce/

07/09/2026

🏭 Reminder for Michigan Manufacturers

The Essential Services Assessment (ESA) Certification & Payment is due August 15, 2026

Key Dates:
• May 1, 2026: ESA statements available on MTO
• August 15, 2026: Deadline to certify and pay without penalties
• September 15, 2026: Deadline to amend a certified ESA statement
• April 15, 2027: Final day to pay ESA liability to avoid rescission of the exemption

⚠️ Late payment penalties start at 3% and increase monthly, up to 27%.

Don't wait. Missing these deadlines could jeopardize your exemption status.

If you've engaged Brickley DeLong to update and certify your ESA, rest assured we're already in the process of completing these filings for you.

07/04/2026

Today, we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy, the communities we're proud to serve, and the people who make them so special.

From all of us at Brickley DeLong, we hope your day is filled with family, friends, great food, and plenty of time to relax. Wishing you a safe, fun, and happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July! ❤️🤍💙

07/03/2026

🇺🇸 In honor of tomorrows holiday, our offices are closed today.

See you Monday!

06/23/2026

Giving back to the communities we serve is at the heart of what we do. 💙

A special shoutout to Partner Jacques Labo for volunteering with the Love In Action Food Truck and helping provide food to local families in need.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and volunteers, the event served 141 households, representing 373 individuals, including 94 children and 121 seniors.

We're proud to support organizations like Love In Action that make a real difference in West Michigan and grateful for team members like Jacques who are willing to roll up their sleeves and help.

06/17/2026

☀️ Summer Hours Update – Hart Office ☀️

As part of our summer schedule, the Brickley DeLong Hart office is open to walk-in visitors **Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM**.

Beginning at noon, our office is available **by appointment only** so our team can dedicate uninterrupted time to serving clients.

**Please note:** On **Fridays, our office closes at noon** as part of our firm's summer hours schedule.

Need to meet with us outside of our walk-in hours? Give us a call and we'll be happy to schedule an appointment that works for you.

Thank you for your understanding, and we wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer!

Call now to connect with business.

06/10/2026

Last week, Morgan and Kayt traded their desks for the Capitol and attended CPA Day at the Capitol hosted by the Michigan Association of CPAs.

It's easy to think accounting is all spreadsheets, tax returns, and audits, but there are a lot of decisions being made at the state level that directly impact our profession, our clients, and the future pipeline of accountants entering the workforce.

One of the biggest topics discussed with legislators was Michigan's proposed additional pathway to CPA licensure. The accounting profession continues to face a talent shortage, and with 44 other states already adopting similar pathways, Michigan needs to remain competitive if we want to attract and retain future CPAs. The goal isn't to lower standards, it's to create another pathway that maintains the integrity of the CPA designation while helping address the growing need for accounting professionals.

It was a great opportunity to meet with lawmakers, share real-world perspectives from the profession, and advocate for the future of accounting in Michigan.

A huge thank you to MICPA for organizing such a meaningful event and giving accounting professionals a seat at the table.

Now it's back to emails, deadlines, and explaining why tax refunds aren't always as big as everyone hopes. 😅

https://micpa.org/community/stay-informed/news/article/2026/06/09/cpa-day-at-the-capitol-connects-members-with-lawmakers-on-key-profession-priorities

05/27/2026

🚨☕ 2026 Tax Surprise: Even Employee Coffee is Affected!☕🚨

There is an ugly tax law change taking effect in 2026 that affects a common workplace practice: providing coffee, snacks, and other small refreshments to employees.

For years, these items have been treated as de minimis fringe benefits, meaning employees are not taxed on them, and employers were generally allowed a deduction. But beginning in 2026, the tax code eliminates the employer deduction, even though the benefit remains tax-free to employees.

This change stems from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which phased out the deduction. While employers could deduct 50 percent of these costs through 2025, the deduction drops to 0 percent starting in 2026. 📉

As a result, businesses will now bear the full cost of providing break-room refreshments. This creates an unusual mismatch: employees still receive a tax-free benefit, but employers receive no tax relief for providing it.

From a practical standpoint, this rule may influence how businesses approach workplace amenities. Many employers offer coffee and snacks to improve productivity, encourage collaboration, and keep employees on-site. Eliminating the deduction may lead some businesses to scale back these offerings, though doing so could negatively affect morale and efficiency.

What should you do now? 👇

• Review your current spending on employee refreshments.
• Evaluate the increased cost beginning in 2026.
• Consider whether the benefits in productivity and workplace culture justify continuing the practice.
• Ensure your accounting properly reflects the non-deductible nature of these expenses.

While this tax law change may seem minor, it has real cost implications.

Brian M. McFarren, CPA | Partner

📞Questions? Contact your Account Administrator today!