Dear Neighbor,
It continues to be an honor to serve our community in the state Senate and to prioritize policies that support working families, seniors, and our local communities. I will continue fighting to put more money back in the pockets of Michiganders who need it most.
With tax season in full swing, here is a special edition of our e-newsletter that includes helpful information on how you can maximize your return ahead of the filing deadline, April 15, 2025.
As always, should you need assistance communicating with the Michigan Department of Treasury or any other state agency, please reach out to our office. You can email me at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or call 517-373-7800.
Sincerely,
Erika Geiss
State Senator
District 1
Securing $1 Billion in Tax Relief for Seniors and Working Families
Rising costs are making it harder to put food on the table and fill up the gas tank. I was glad to help pass the Lowering MI Costs Plan — the biggest tax relief initiative Michigan has seen in decades. By rolling back Republican tax hikes unfairly placed on seniors and expanding credits for working families, I’m proud to make good on our promise that regular people shouldn’t pay more so that the wealthy can pay less.
Repealing the Retirement Tax
Michigan’s retirement tax robbed seniors of their promised retirement benefits for more than a decade — and on a fixed income, every penny counts. That’s why I proudly supported efforts to repeal this unfair tax, which is helping nearly 500,000 seniors save $1,000 every year.
To ensure you can deduct the maximum amount of retirement benefits, visit Michigan.gov/taxes.
Securing a Historic Tax Break for Working Families
When hardworking families are struggling to afford the basics — a home, groceries, child care — every unexpected bill can feel overwhelming. My colleagues and I fought to put that hard-earned money back into your bank account at tax time, making Michigan’s match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) five times more than it was before. Working families who were getting just a 6% credit now receive 30% — helping nearly 31,000 families in District 1 save an additional $877 on average.*
Don’t leave that money on the table! Visit IRS.gov/EITC to see if you’re eligible.
Learn more at Michigan.gov/EITC.
*Estimate of families and average savings is based on 2019 data from the Michigan League for Public Policy.
Tax season is here! Your taxes are due before Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Here are a few quick tips to help you maximize your return this year:
- Avoid scams: For federal returns, the IRS will only initiate contact with you through regular mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Do not share your personal tax information via phone, email, or social media.
- Utilize free resources: Michigan Free Tax Help connects Michiganders with free, high-quality income tax preparation assistance. Visit MichiganFreeTaxHelp.org to find local help.
- Take advantage of available deductions: You can deduct charitable contributions, property taxes, medical expenses, and more from your federal 2025 taxes. Visit IRS.gov/credits-deductions for a full list.
Every year, the Michigan Legislature publishes a state taxpayer guide with information to help residents prepare their taxes. If you would like to receive a digital copy of this resource, please reach out to my office at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov.