SB 695 allows regional transit authorities in Michigan to charge an extra $1.20 per $1,000 of a vehicle’s value (on top of standard registration fees) for transit funding, but only if approved by voters in a November election. It requires ballot measures to specify how funds will be used and limits spending to transit projects. The tax applies to regular vehicle registrations in transit regions, excluding company test vehicles (e.g., manufacturer-owned vehicles used for testing). It takes effect January 1, 2027, pending approval of related legislation. This change directly affects vehicle owners in participating transit regions through their registration costs.
HB 5166 creates a new tax credit program to improve food security by allowing certain food businesses (like farms, processors, or distributors) to claim a 65% credit against their state income tax for donating food to certified organizations. Qualified organizations - such as food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, or regional food banks - must apply for certification annually and provide donors with written acknowledgments detailing the donation. The credit is capped at 50% of the business’s tax liability or $10,000 per year, whichever is lower, and must be claimed with annual tax returns. This directly affects food businesses making donations and certified food providers serving communities facing hunger.
This bill amends Michigan's property tax credit rules by clarifying the definition of "homestead" for eligibility. It specifies that unoccupied leased land isn't considered part of a homestead unless adjacent to the owner's home, and sets rules for agricultural land (10+ years of residence includes all adjacent land; less than 10 years limits to 5 acres). It also defines mobile home park space rent as homestead rent and clarifies how "gross rent" is calculated for renters. These changes directly affect homeowners and renters claiming the property tax credit under Michigan's Income Tax Act.
HB 4120 exempts certain aircraft purchases and maintenance from Michigan's use tax. It applies to domestic air carriers using aircraft over 6,000 pounds for cargo, passenger, or combined transport, and to parts/materials affixed to such aircraft under specific conditions (e.g., aircraft not based in Michigan). The bill also exempts temporary aircraft in Michigan for maintenance or sales if they leave within 15 days, and extends tax exemptions to interstate trucking equipment used across state lines. These changes reduce tax burdens for airlines, aircraft maintenance providers, and interstate trucking companies operating in Michigan.
SB 685 amends Michigan's farmland tax credit law (MCL 324.101-324.90106) by adding Section 36109b. It expands eligibility for the farmland tax credit to properties with existing legal agreements (like easements or leases) that were in place before a specific date, even if those arrangements complicate ownership. This change directly affects farmers and landowners who hold farmland subject to multiple pre-existing agreements, allowing them to qualify for the tax credit they previously might have been excluded from. The bill passed unanimously in the Michigan Senate on December 2, 2025, after being referred to the Agriculture Committee.
HB 5280 adds a new tax deduction for retirement or pension benefits received by commissioned officers serving in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps or the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, effective January 1, 2026. This change modifies Michigan's income tax code to allow these specific federal service members to deduct such benefits from their taxable income, similar to existing deductions for military and National Guard retirees. The bill directly affects Michigan taxpayers who are commissioned officers in these two federal corps, providing them with a targeted tax benefit for their retirement income. This is a concrete policy change to the state's tax code, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
HB 5256 amends Michigan's income tax code to adjust deductions for retirement and pension benefits. It expands the deduction for benefits received from public retirement systems (including federal, Michigan, or other states' systems with reciprocal treatment) and updates the annual cap for non-federal retirement benefits to $42,240 for single filers and $84,480 for joint filers. The bill also requires annual adjustments to these caps based on the Consumer Price Index. This directly affects Michigan taxpayers claiming these specific retirement deductions when calculating taxable income.
HB 5257 exempts qualified disabled veterans from Michigan's use tax when purchasing a vehicle for personal use. This applies to veterans meeting the definition in Michigan's General Property Tax Act (MCL 211.7b), which requires a service-connected disability rating. The exemption begins January 1, 2026, and covers the full purchase price of the vehicle. The bill amends the Use Tax Act to add this specific exemption while maintaining other tax collection provisions.
HB 5274 creates a sales tax exemption for qualified disabled veterans purchasing vehicles. Beginning January 1, 2026, disabled veterans who meet the state's definition (as outlined in the General Property Tax Act) will not pay the 4% state sales tax on new or used vehicles bought for their personal use and registered in their name. This directly affects disabled veterans seeking to purchase a vehicle for personal transportation. The exemption applies specifically to the sales tax on the vehicle itself, not other taxes or fees.
HB 5293 creates a tax credit for Michigan employers that create new, qualified jobs. Employers can claim a credit equal to 50% of income tax withheld on new jobs meeting specific criteria (permanent, full-time positions paying at least 150% of the local "prosperity region" median wage, exceeding the employer's September 2025 job count). The credit applies to tax years 2026-2035, with a $50 million annual cap and minimum allocations for small ($10M), medium ($15M), and large ($25M) employers. Employers must submit claims by March 15 each year, and unused credits can be carried forward for up to three years. This directly affects employers in Michigan’s designated economic regions seeking to expand their workforce.
