700,000 Michigan Households to Get Refund Checks – Here’s Who Qualifies
The holidays can be a major crunch on the wallet. Well, if you’re in a pinch, some good news is that you may be one of the more than 700,000 Michigan households to get refund checks in early 2024.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday (Dec. 14) that her administration will send checks to roughly 700,000 households in early 2024. It’s part of the new Earned Income Tax Credit in Michigan. The checks will average $550.
700,000 Michigan Households to Get Refund Checks – Here’s Who Qualifies
The checks are part of a new initiative called the “Working Families Tax Credit,” which begins in Feb. 2024. “In March, Governor Whitmer signed legislation quintupling the Michigan Working Families Tax Credit match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit to 30%, up from 6%. This expansion will deliver an average combined tax refund of $3,150 to 700,000 families.” That directly impacts “nearly one million kids – almost half the kids in Michigan,” a release states.
“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,” Whitmer said. “This directly benefits half the children in Michigan. Moms and dads can use this extra money at tax time to pay the bills, put food on the table, and buy school supplies.” She continued, “Across the United States, inflation is decreasing and take-home pay is increasing, proving that our work in Michigan and President Biden’s efforts in Washington are moving us in the right direction. We still have more work to do. Today’s announcement will help get you some relief sooner than expected. Let’s keep rolling up our sleeves, lowering costs, and growing our economy.”
Starting Feb. 13, 2024, the State of Michigan will mail checks to Michigan families who qualified for the Working Families Tax Credit based on the 2022 tax filing. “The checks will be the difference between the 6% tax credit Michiganders received on their tax return and the 30% that is owed to the under the new law. Based on data from last year’s returns,” a press release explains. Residents can update their address here.
Michigan Laws Going Into Effect in 2024: Guns, Minimum Wage and More
Minimum wage
Beginning on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, the state of Michigan’s minimum wage will increase from $10.10 to $10.33. This change is thanks to Michigan’s Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act of 2018. That law resulted in an annual schedule of increases.
(Photo Illustration by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Prevailing Wage Act
This year, Gov. Whitmer signed a bill restoring a prevailing wage act. This bill means that Michigan-hired contractors are required to pay their employees at the union level.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Teens in Michigan can pre-register to vote
Now, 16-year-old high school students in Michigan are able to pre-register to vote. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says, “This new law helps us prepare the next generation of voters to inherit their democracy, bolstering our state’s commitment to engaging young people, educating them about the democratic process, and getting them ready to cast a ballot once they turn 18.”
Teens can pre-register to vote. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
No more "right-to-work"
Michigan’s right-to-work law is being repealed. The state’s “right-to-work” law was passed over a decade ago. Michigan’s “right-to-work” law had enabled workers in union settings to choose not to pay union dues and fees.
(Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Expanded Elliot-Larsen Act
Earlier this year, Whitmer signed an expansion of the Elliot-Larsen Act. The act includes protection for those who are discriminated against due to sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. That’s includes those in the LGBTQ+ community.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
No more third-grade reading law
Michigan’s third-grade reading law has been repealed. The original 2016 law made schools identify students who were struggling in reading and writing and hold them back a year if they were more than one grade level behind. Now, that requirement has lifted.
(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Michigan gun laws
New gun laws are here, and these were introduced into Lansing following the tragic shooting at Michigan State University. The House and Senate passed these bills, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed them. The new laws require safe storage (gun owners must lock their weapons away, if a minor is expected to be in the home), background checks (mandatory, no matter how you’re buying a firearm) and “red flag” (to cut down on possible violence for those who may have mental health problems or have threatened others).
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Clean Energy & Climate Action Package
Gov. Whitmer recently signed the Clean Energy & Climate Action Package, with a plan to have Michigan 100% clean energy by 2040. If all goes as planned, the state will produce 100% of its energy from clean sources by 2024.
(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
