Joint tax filers both should receive $180 in ‘inflation relief’
This week Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced her Lowering MI Cost plan that would eliminate the state’s retirement tax and increase tax credits for working families.
Perhaps the one aspect of her proposal that got the most attention from the average taxpayer is Whitmer’s plan to issue “inflation relief checks” directly to taxpayers in the state.
Under the plan, “inflation relief checks” of $180 would be sent to every Michigan tax filer. It would cost $800 million. Michigan currently has a budget surplus of $9.2 billion.
The plan must first be approved by the state Legislature before it becomes the law of the land.
Sounds good at face value. Who couldn’t use an extra $180 in their pocket when the price of nearly everything has spiraled upward?
This plan, however, as it stands is cheating a large number of Michigan taxpayers from ever receiving their $180 check. The one-time $180 checks would be issued for each income tax filing. That means couples filing jointly would receive one check for $180 and not two for $360. Couples who file singly would receive $180 each.
In our opinion, that doesn’t seem to be fair. Many, many Michigan taxpayers choose to file their taxes jointly. It’s fair to say that many of these couples are two-income families — each paying taxes to the state. It doesn’t seem right that a large portion of taxpayers should be penalized simply because they filed their taxes jointly.
We hope this oversight is corrected by the time it is considered by the state Legislature.
If you agree, let your feelings be known.
Whitmer’s office can be contacted at:
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7858
State Sen. Ed McBroom can be contacted at:
Senator Ed McBroom
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909
855-347-8038
State Rep. Greg Markkanen can be contacted at:
Rep. Greg Markkanen
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
517-373-0850
GregMarkkanen@house.mi.gov
State Rep. Jenn Hill can be contacted at:
Rep. Jenn Hill
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
517-373-0498
JennHill@house.mi.gov
All four can be reached by email through their websites as well.