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Filing Process for Qualifying Households |
Who can file a Home Heating Credit
Claim?
To be eligible:
-
Your homestead must be in Michigan, and it is where you maintain a
permanent residence. Note: You can have only one homestead at a time
and you must be the occupant as well as the owner or renter.
-
You are not a full-time student who is claimed as a dependent on another
person's income tax return.
-
You did not live in a licensed care facility for the entire tax year.
- Your income is within the qualifying income levels.
What is the Standard Allowance?
When Should I File for the Home Heating Credit?
File by September 30 of the year following the tax year of the Home Heating Credit. For example, you must file by September 30, 2008 to be eligible for the 2007 Home Heating Credit. You must know your household income to be able to file.
How do I File for a Home Heating Credit?
You must complete the Michigan Home Heating Credit Claim (Form
MI-1040CR-7 
).
The quickest way to file your MI-1040CR-7 Form is with
e-file.
Where Can I Get Forms and Instructions for the Home Heating Credit Claim?
If you filed a home heating credit last year that was not printed from a tax preparation software package, you will be mailed a booklet directly to the address on your last year's claim.
-
Download the
MI-1040CR-7 Instruction booklet
-
Download the MI-1040CR-7
Form
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Call 1-800-827-4000 to have Home Heating Credit forms and instructions
mailed to you.
-
Home Heating Credit forms and instructions are available at Treasury
offices and at most public libraries, Northern Michigan post offices,
Michigan Secretary of State branch offices, and Department of Human Services (DHS)
branch offices.
Who Can I Contact For Help in Completing My Home Heating Credit Claim?
For pre-recorded assistance, call 1-800-827-4000, then select option 4, and
enter code number 331. Other topics, which are listed in the home heating credit
booklet, are also available through this service.
Other sources of help in completing your Home Heating Credit are:
-
Department of Human Services (DHS) branch offices
-
Tax Aid provided by the American
Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
-
Tax Assistance Programs provided by the
Accounting Aid Society
-
Certain regulated utilities in Michigan offer assistance in Home Heating
Credit preparation for their customers. Contact your utility company
directly for further information.
What Common Mistakes Should I Avoid When Completing My Home Heating Credit
Claim?
Common mistakes will delay your credit payment. Some common errors are:
-
Using a name and address label with incorrect information
-
Illegible writing
-
Incorrect Social Security number(s)
-
Entering figures on the wrong lines
-
Mistakes in computing your credit
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Failure to report total household income from all sources, both taxable
and non-taxable. Non-taxable income includes Social Security
payments, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), child support, and public assistance payments issued by the Department of Human Services (DHS). If you had income from any of these sources, you must
report it on your Home Heating Credit Claim.
How do I check the status of my credit?
Or call our
Deaf, hearing- or speech-impaired persons at (517) 636-4999 between 8
a.m. and 5 p.m. for assistance.
Please note for privacy and security reasons you will be asked for your
social security number, name, household income, and filing status.
| Payment Process for Home Heating Credit |
What Kind of Payment Will I Receive for My Home Heating Credit?
- Most HHC claimants receive an energy draft to use as payment toward
current and future heating bills. If you receive a draft, give the draft to
your heating provider before the expiration date on the draft. The energy
draft can only be used to pay heating bills and may not be cashed.
- Some claimants will receive a warrant (check). You will receive a warrant
if your heating costs are included in your rent or your heat service is in
someone else's name at the time you file your claim. If you are eligible
to receive a warrant for your Home Heating Credit, you may request that it
be deposited directly to your bank account by completing a Direct Deposit of
Refund (Form 3174 ).
- Some claimants will have their credit sent by Treasury directly to their
heat provider. Under current law, Treasury must send your credit directly to
your heat provider if you are enrolled with the Department of Human Services (DHS) for direct payment or if Treasury can identify your heat provider. For more
information about direct payment, read the Direct
Payment Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Home Heating Credit go to my heat provider?
A change in the law (Public Act 335 of 2004) requires the Department of
Treasury to send the Home Heating Credit directly to your heat provider. For
more information about direct payment, read the Direct
Payment Frequently Asked Questions.
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