October 05, 2004
Citizens can voluntarily donate through Income Tax Check-off
October 5, 2004
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation establishing a Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) that will provide financial assistance to families of soldiers suffering financial hardships as a result of active duty or a line-of-duty related injury or illness. The two-bill package also creates an Income Tax check-off that will allow citizens to voluntarily contribute money to the fund.
“Families of soldiers called to active duty are under enough stress and hardship, worrying about the safety of their loved one, without having to worry whether they will be able to pay next month’s rent or put food on the dinner table,” Granholm said. “This bill will help give families a greater sense of financial security while their loved one is on active duty.”
Senate Bill 1269 establishes the MFRF, while House Bill 5953 creates the income tax check-off for citizen donations.
The MFRF enables the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide grants of up to $2,000 in a calendar year to qualifying military families of Michigan’s active duty Army National Guard, Air National Guard and military reserve members. The funds can be spent on clothing, housing, medical, services, utilities, or any other related necessities of daily living. The need would have to occur while a family member is on active duty, or be the result of a line-of-duty related injury or illness.
The check-off will be available for tax years 2004 to 2007, with taxpayers able to designate a contribution of $1 or more from their annual income tax return. The money collected will be divided, with 80 percent of funds accrued going to the Military Family Relief Fund and 20 percent to the Post Fund and Posthumous Fund of the Michigan Soldier’s Home, to pay for special projects or for certain costs not paid for by the Home.
SB 1269 and HB 5953 passed by unanimous votes in the House and Senate
