income tax

Flint telling people who haven't paid their city income tax: Pay Up Now

Steve Carmody — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 05:23:45 +0000

The city of Flint is hoping to collect some unpaid city income taxes. The money could help reduce Flint’s crushing budget deficit.

The city of Flint is struggling to reduce its $19 million budget deficit.

To chip away at part of that, city officials plan to pressure people who haven’t paid their city income taxes for a while.

The city estimates that it’s owed between $300,000 and $400,000 in unpaid income taxes for just 2010.

Stateside: Changes to tax refunds may come as a surprise to some

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:40:28 +0000

The following is a summary of a previously recorded interview. To hear the complete segment, click the audio above.

For those who have not yet completed your 2012 tax returns- brace yourselves.

In 2011 Governor Snyder signed a tax overhaul package that included $1.4 billion in additional income taxes and $1.7 billion in business tax cuts.

State lawmaker may push for higher city income tax rates in Michigan

Steve Carmody — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:16:00 +0000

Some Michigan cities that collect an income tax might soon see a revenue boost.

A state lawmaker wants to increase the tax rate cities can charge.

State representative Andy Schor is looking at lifting the current state cap on city income tax rates. Four cities (Detroit, Grand Rapids, Saginaw and Highland Park) are already allowed to collect more than the 1% limit on city residents and .5% on non-city residents.

Detroit attempts to increase revenue with income tax amnesty plan

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:55:26 +0000

On Tuesday, the city of Detroit will begin an income tax amnesty program in an attempt to recoup lost revenue.

The program will allow individuals and companies to pay off outstanding debts without penalty if done so before February 16.

Matt Helms of the Detroit Free Press has more:

Grand Rapids Fire Department deploys new breed of fire trucks

Lindsey Smith — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 22:04:08 +0000

The so-called quick response vehicles are a cross between a four-wheel-drive SUV used to respond to medical emergencies, and fire engines with all the equipment to put out fires.

Grand Rapids’ Deputy Fire Chief Frank Verburg says the department will deploy three of the quick response vehicles for now. They have a 300-gallon water tank and a small fire suppression foam system.

Income tax rollback clears first legislative hurdle

Steve Carmody — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:50:05 +0000

A state House committee today approved speeding up an income tax break for Michigan taxpayers.

In this morning's news...

Mark Brush — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:20:43 +0000

Mackinac Policy Conference kicks off today

The annual Mackinac Policy Conference gets underway today on Mackinac Island. The conference is sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber and has been taking place since 1981. It's a place where policy makers, politicians, and business and thought leaders get together to discuss ideas and policies that could shape Michigan's future.

Conference organizers hope to "spur a comprehensive dialogue on innovation, collaboration and the 21st century global market" at this year's conference.

If you feel compelled to tweet about the event this week, the hashtag for the conference is #mpc12.

Michigan Governor Snyder will deliver welcoming comments today at 3:30 p.m.

Michigan Radio's Zoe Clark and MPRN's Rick Pluta will bring us updates from the conference. You can also watch online coverage of the event sponsored by Detroit Public Television.

Update on wildfires in the Upper Peninsula

The AP reports that the 3,400-acre Pine Creek North wildfire in Schoolcraft County is mostly contained:

Officials say some crews are leaving the area as mop-up operations continue. Firefighters on Tuesday planned to patrol the perimeter of the fire looking for hot spots.
The wildfire was ignited by lightning and first reported on May 21.

However, the Duck Lake Fire continues to burn. More from CNN wire services:

The Duck Lake Fire has burned more than 22,000 acres and is still going despite recent rains, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported on its website.The state agency estimated Monday the blaze is about 51% contained, thanks to progress made by firefighters in maintaining a firm perimeter.

Moving up income tax cut called a "gimmick"

The Michigan House of Representatives will begin taking up plans today to move a planned income tax cut up by a few months.

The tax rate will drop from 4.35 percent to 4.25 percent next January. The Associated Press reports Michigan House Republicans want to start the tax cut in October 2012.

House Republican Speaker Jase Bolger wants to return $90 million from a budget surplus to taxpayers. The tax rate would drop from 4.35 percent to 4.25 percent.
The Michigan League for Human Services says the move is an election-year gimmick. It says the money would be better spent offering preschool or dental care to low-income children.
Democrats say tax changes passed last year by GOP lawmakers will require that individuals pay $1.4 billion more in taxes next year. They say the $90 million cut is insufficient.

Debate on moving up a state income tax cut begins today

The Associated Press — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:30:58 +0000

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan House plans to begin consideration of measures moving up an income tax cut from January to October and increasing how much income someone can earn before taxes kick in.

Tax Time

Steve Carmody — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:01:01 +0000

The clock is ticking if you haven’t filed your state and federal income tax returns. But there’s still time.

April 15th is usually the day taxpayers must file their income tax forms by.

But since April 15th fell on a Sunday this year, and because of a Washington D.C. holiday (Emancipation Day) falls on April 16th, the Internal Revenue Service decided to make April 17th the deadline for this year.

Caleb Buhs is with the Michigan Treasury Department. He says most of the returns filed this year have received refunds.