LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – After the holiday season, families can look forward to an earlier than expected arrival of the Working Families Tax Credit Checks.  

“By quintupling the Working Families Tax Credit, we’re putting an average of $550 back in the pockets of 700,000 Michigan families ahead of schedule,” said Governor Whitmer. “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.” 

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Beginning February 13, 2024, Michigan families who qualified for the Working Families Tax Credit as part of their 2022 tax return will receive checks. The checks will be the difference between the 6% tax credit Michiganders received on their tax return and the 30% owed to them under the new law. Based on data from last year’s returns, Michiganders should expect to receive an additional $550 on average.  

“Before I was elected, I was a nonprofit caseworker who helped remove barriers that kept people from being successful at work. For many of them, the Earned Income Tax Credit was a major factor in how they were going to cover accumulating bills, afford clothes for a growing child, make a much-needed car repair, or pay a big medical bill about to go to collections,” said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). “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.” 

In March, Governor Whitmer signed legislation quintupling the Michigan Working Families Tax Credit match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) up to 30%, from 6%.  Estimates believe that 700,000 families – with nearly one million kids – will receive an average combined tax refund of $3,150. 

Fortunately, those who are eligible will receive their checks from the Department of Treasury based on 2022 tax returns. Michiganders can expect to receive the checks between five and six weeks. 

House Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said the relief hasn’t come soon enough. 

“Gov. Whitmer vetoed my plan to provide Michiganders broad tax relief last year,” Hall said after the legislation passed. “Between the automatic income tax rollback for everyone and the new law providing relief for seniors and working families, we are now finally passing the relief that could have been benefiting taxpayers already.” 

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The former Chair of the House Tax Policy Committee also praised the work of the House Republicans for making the tax policy a priority since the legislature started the new session. 

“Life will be more affordable for Michiganers thanks to tax relief secured by House Republicans,” Hall said. “We made tax savings our top priority to help the people of Michigan overcome the rising cost of living, and we’ve now secured two relief measures while protecting another tax cut from Gov. Whitmer’s misguided plot to shut it down and hike taxes.”

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