New Michigan EITC Highlights Tax Season

The Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding Michigan Taxpayers that individual income tax returns for 2008 must be postmarked or e-filed by midnight Wednesday, April 15, 2009.

Many taxpayers will be eligible to claim the new Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, this year. Individuals and joint-filers, who claim an Earned Income Tax Credit on their 2008 federal tax return, will be eligible to claim a Michigan EITC of 10 percent of their federal credit. Estimates indicate that many taxpayers who qualify for the Federal EITC have failed to claim it in the past and therefore missed out on significant tax savings. The Michigan EITC could save taxpayers, with two or more qualifying children, up to $482.

Treasury provides a wide-range of income tax and credit information on its income tax Web site, located at www.michigan.gov/incometax. The site details what's new for Tax Year 2008, including the Michigan EITC and offers help in locating tax forms as well as information about e-filing your return.

A self-service area is also available for taxpayers to check the status of their refunds, payments, or correspondence with the department. To access the Check My Income Tax Info section, users must enter their last name, Social Security Number, Adjusted Gross Income or Household Income, and filing status. Taxpayers who do not have Internet access can receive the same information by calling (800) 827-4000. The number is toll-free and callers must also provide their last name, Social Security Number, Adjusted Gross Income or Household Income, and filing status. Taxpayers should note that hold times may vary, depending on the volume of calls made to the department.

Treasury is also encouraging taxpayers to take advantage of the convenience and faster refunds associated with e-filing. Taxpayers can access information about e-file, including free e-file opportunities, by visiting www.MIfastfile.org.