Theft Alert: Identity Theft Awareness Week
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Record-Breaking Year for Health Insurance Enrollments
Governor Whitmer Celebrates Record-Breaking Year for Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollments 2024 enrollment up approximately 30% over 2023, both in Michigan and nationally
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox announced that more than 418,000 Michiganders purchased health insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace during the recent open enrollment period. This is the highest number of Michiganders to enroll in affordable Marketplace coverage in history and represents an increase of nearly 30% over 2023.
“Everyone deserves the peace of mind that comes with having comprehensive, affordable health insurance, and I am grateful for the work we’ve done in Michigan and with our partners in the Biden-Harris administration to reach that goal,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today, we celebrate this new record but recognize that there is more work to be done. Our administration will continue to do everything possible to help people stay healthy, save money, and thrive right here in Michigan.”
“In Michigan and across the country, record numbers of people enrolled in high quality, comprehensive health plans. We celebrate this important achievement and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every Michigander who needs health insurance has the information they need to get covered,” said Director Fox. “If you still need health insurance for 2024 but missed the open enrollment deadline, you may still qualify for a special enrollment period if you have experienced a qualifying life event. You can find more information by visiting Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance, or by calling DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.”
Open Enrollment for 2024 health insurance ran between November 1, 2023 and January 16, 2024. During that time, 418,100 Michiganders signed up for a new health plan on HealthCare.gov. This represents a nearly 30% increase over enrollment numbers for 2023.
Contributing to the record enrollment period was federal legislation that extended savings to millions of consumers and helped many Michiganders find a plan for less than $10 per month. In addition, the Governor continued her ongoing commitment to helping Michiganders understand their options and secure the health insurance they need for themselves and their families, including recent action to protect preventive health care for millions of Michiganders.
For most Michiganders, the next opportunity to enroll in or change a Marketplace health plan will be the open enrollment period for 2025 coverage, which is set to begin on November 1, 2024. Consumers who missed the opportunity to enroll in a 2024 plan may qualify for a special enrollment period if they experience a qualifying life event, such as a birth, job loss, or divorce. In addition, Michiganders who qualify for the state’s Medicaid or MIChild programs can apply at any time by visiting the MI Bridges website.
For questions or concerns about health insurance, visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance or call DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442. For more information about special enrollment periods, and to figure out for which programs they may qualify, consumers should visit Healthcare.gov/lower-costs.
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MI educators seek increased access to driver’s education
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Save Money with New Tax Cuts This Season
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Encourages Michiganders to Save Money with New Tax Cuts This Season Federal and State Individual Income Tax Season Opens Today
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that both the federal and state individual income tax season has begun and urged Michiganders to check out two important state tax changes that could put more money into the pockets of eligible taxpayers.
“Working families and retirees will save and get more money back when they file their taxes this year,” said Governor Whitmer. “Last year, we rolled back the retirement tax and quintupled the Working Families Tax Credit, saving hundreds of thousands of Michiganders money on their taxes. I am so proud our new legislative majority delivered over $1 billion in tax relief to help Michiganders care for their families, pay the bills, or save for a rainy day. Let’s keep working together to lower costs and ensure anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
Starting today Michiganders can file their 2023 tax year state individual income tax returns electronically through commercial software or by mailing paper forms through the U.S. Postal Service. All individual income tax returns must be e-filed or postmarked by Monday, April 15, 2024.
For the benefit and convenience of taxpayers, both the beginning and end of the individual income tax filing season are the same as the Internal Revenue Service.
“Working families and retirees have substantial benefits and options to consider when filing their taxes this year,” said State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks. “These taxpayers have a lot to gain from the increased Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families, ‘Retirement Tax’ rollback or other available tax credits. I encourage taxpayers to seek out a reputable tax preparer or use tax preparation software. We don’t want eligible taxpayers to miss out on these important benefits.”
Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (Michigan EITC) for Working Families Michigan’s 2023 tax return, forms, and instructions reflect the expansion of Michigan EITC for Working Families from 6% to 30% under the Lowering MI Costs Plan.
Although the law will not take effect until Feb. 13, 2024, taxpayers eligible for the Michigan EITC should not delay in filing their tax year 2023 return and claiming the expanded credit.
The Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury) will work impacted returns as they are received and prepare them for release as soon as the law takes effect.
Tax Year 2022 Michigan EITC for Working Families Supplemental Checks On Feb. 13, 2024, Treasury will begin issuing supplemental check payments over a 5-to-6-week period to provide eligible taxpayers with the remaining 24% portion of the Michigan EITC for Working Families for the 2022 tax year. The additional 24% adjustment checks for tax year 2022 will average $618 per recipient.
These paper check payments will be issued to the most recent address on file with Treasury. Treasury routinely updates taxpayer address records based on current tax filings, so your address should be up to date. However, if you have moved frequently or recently and have concerns about your address accuracy, you can manually update it through IIT eService. Visit how to change your address with Treasury for more information.
Do not file an amended 2022 individual income tax return to change your address or claim the increased Michigan EITC for Working Families.
“Retirement Tax” Rollback The Lowering MI Costs Plan provides taxpayers with more options so they can choose the best taxing situation for their retirement benefits for the 2023 tax year.
Over a four-year phase-in, this new law restores the pre-2012 retirement and pension subtraction for most taxpayers in Michigan beginning in 2026. The change will benefit more retirees in Michigan while ensuring taxpayers in unique circumstances are not harmed.
Retirees can file and take advantage of the expanded retirement and pension subtraction options at the start of tax season, which saves taxpayers time and eliminates the need or expense of filing an amended return after the law takes effect. For that reason, eligible retirees should not delay in filing their tax year 2023 return and claiming the most advantageous pension and retirement benefit subtraction.
Treasury will work impacted returns as they are received and prepare them for release as soon as the law takes effect on Feb. 13, 2024.
How to File Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is convenient, safe and secure. Last year, around 4.7 million Michigan taxpayers e-filed, which is 90% of state individual income tax filers. For more information about e-filing, go to www.mifastfile.org.
Individuals with low income, disabilities or are 60 years of age or older may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers. For information about free tax help, go to irs.treasury.gov/
Additional free tax help can be found at www.michiganfreetaxhelp.org. |
Commitment to Education Will Grow Economy
Coulter: Gov. Whitmer’s Commitment to Education Will Attract Investment, Grow Economy and Raise Wages
Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter issued the following statement in support of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s vision in her 2024 State of the State speech:
“Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has invested more in education during her tenure than any time in history and this continued significant investment aligns with Oakland County’s goals to ensure our residents have the college education and training they need to succeed and thrive,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “And that’s exactly what the state needs to attract new investment, grow the economy and raise wages for the hard-working people of Michigan.”
Tree clearing of Blue Water Bridge plaza
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2024
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MEDIA CONTACT Jocelyn Garza 989-245-7117 [email protected]
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Tree clearing ahead of Blue Water Bridge plaza improvements
starts Jan. 29
PORT HURON, Mich. – Crews will begin removing trees across nearly half an acre adjacent to the existing Blue Water Bridge (BWB) plaza, near Pine Grove Avenue, Harker Street, Scott Avenue, and westbound I-94 from Garfield to the Black River. This work is being completed ahead of Component One of the plaza improvements, which includes relocating the eastbound I-94 exit ramp at Pine Grove Avenue, building sound walls along portions of the project limits, and reconfiguring Pine Grove Avenue and 10th Avenue.
A total of 110 trees will be flagged for removal, with an effort to leave mature and developed trees north of Scott Avenue in place to support a future nonmotorized path.
County:
Huron
Highway:
Pine Grove Avenue
Harker Street
Scott Avenue
Closest city:
Port Huron
Start date:
Monday, Jan. 29, 2024
Estimated end date:
Monday, April 1, 2024
Traffic restrictions:
One intermittent lane and shoulder closure are expected on the eastbound I-94 exit ramp to Pine Grove Avenue, and along westbound I-94 from Garfield Road to the Black River.
Jobs numbers:
Based on economic modeling, the total investment of Component One construction is expected to directly and indirectly support 525 jobs.
Safety benefit:
This work will allow crews to begin work on Component One in the spring and avoid impacting the nesting season for bats, beginning in early April.