My parents purchased a bar/restaurant from my grandfather before I was born. They owned it for 46 years, and it’s essentially where I grew up. That’s where my fascination with all bar games began.
”Mike Merkel
Partner, CPA
Experience
As one of the firm's leaders of the state and local tax practice, I specialize in providing clients with multistate tax consulting services and implementing solutions to minimize sales and use, income and franchise, and property taxes. My clients also come to me for advice on state tax controversy issues related to audit defenses for various taxes.
I’m often asked to speak at the Praxity North American International Conference and the Michigan Tax Conference. Recent presentations covered topics such as foreign indirect tax versus sales tax, sales and use tax audit procedures, and the top 10 state tax cases to watch, among others.
I’m a past chair of the MICPA State and Local Task Force as well as a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s tax committee. For my participation the MICPA recognized me with the Outstanding Task Force award. I am also a recipient of the Hoatlin Award for my significant contributions working with the Legislature and Treasury to pass technical corrections to tax law benefiting both taxpayers and practitioners. I earned my B.S. in accounting from Michigan State University and my M.S.T. from Walsh College.
I love spending time with my wife and two daughters, whether we’re traveling to Costa Rica or the Canadian Rockies. I’ve also spent many weekends supporting my daughters at their sports tournaments. During the occasional “me time,” I'm always up for an outdoor game. If the weather is poor, I take my games inside with billiards, darts, or foosball. Win or lose, I enjoy the competition.
