Some Michigan working families to get Earned Income Tax Credit: When to expect checks
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Taxpayers who qualify for Michigan's newly expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) will start receiving checks in the mail for their 2022 tax return early next year. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office announced Thursday that 700,000 Michigan households will receive an average of $550.
Whitmer's administration will begin mailing checks starting Feb. 13, 2024, and estimates it will take up to six weeks to distribute the payments.
"This directly benefits half the children in Michigan, and moms and dads can use this extra money at tax time to pay the bills, put food on the table and buy school supplies," Whitmer said in a statement Thursday.
Earlier this year, Whitmer signed a tax overhaul to provide relief for retirees and low-income earners in Michigan. The new law expands the state's EITC from 6% of the federal credit to 30%. The law did not receive enough GOP support to take effect before the 2022 tax filing deadline, but it still provides, for the 2022 tax year only, an additional credit making up the difference between the 6% tax credit they received and the 30% tax credit.
Democratic legislative leaders celebrated the checks. "This was one of the first bills our new majority passed for good reason: the EITC has a legacy of being one of the best policies to support work while also helping families out of poverty, making it a win-win for Michigan workers and employers," said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, in a statement.
"Whether they use it to pay off holiday bills, make a necessary purchase or take a well-deserved vacation, this is just the latest example of putting the people of Michigan first and improving their quality of life," said House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit.
The Michigan EITC dubbed the "Working Families Tax Credit" benefits low-income earners. In the 2022 tax year, those who worked and earned income under $59,187 and had investment income of $10,300 or less qualified, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
The Michigan credit provides up to $2,080 for the 2022 tax year and $2,229 for the 2023 tax year, according to a release from Whitmer's office.
Those eligible to receive the 2022 credit do not need to take any additional action to receive the funds if they already submitted their 2022 tax return. The Department of Treasury will automatically send out the checks. But those who have moved or want to ensure their address is up to date can update it online at: www.michigan.gov/taxes/questions/iit/accordion/general/change-address.
Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit: Working families check date set
