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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 

June 18, 2025    

Contact: [email protected]   

 

*Gov. Whitmer Highlights IRS Data to Show that Republican Attacks on Earned Income Tax Credit Could Cost Michigan Families Up to $10,000 Per Year* 

"Federal budget passed by U.S. House Republicans will make it harder for working Michigan families to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), costing more than 700,000 Michiganders thousands of dollars every year." 

 

*LANSING, Mich. *– Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted data [ [link removed] ] released by the IRS to emphasize the impact of added barriers in the Republican budget bill to the EITC. Their bill will add new and unnecessary regulations that will make it harder for many eligible families with children to claim and receive the EITC. Most recently, nearly 700,000 Michiganders utilized the EITC to get $2,800 on average back in their pockets. Michigan families with three or more children can claim up to $10,000 through the EITC. The Republican bill could cost these families critical savings that help them put food on the table, heat their homes, and keep the power on.  

 

“Every Michigander should be able to put food on the table and keep the lights on without worrying about their bank account,” said *Governor Whitmer*. “House Republicans have passed a bill containing dangerous attacks on tax savings programs that could make it harder for working families to save money. Here in Michigan, I’ve worked hard to lower costs by quintupling the Michigan Working Families Tax Credit, so nearly 700,000 families can get $2,800 of their hard-earned dollars back in their pockets. The Republican bill would put this progress at risk by threatening the wellbeing of our most vulnerable families and their kids.”  

 

“We’re committed to lowering costs for Michiganders and helping more families keep money in their pocket,” said *Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II*. “Our expansion of Michigan’s Working Families Tax Credit put $3,150 back in the pockets of more than 700,000 families all across Michigan. Despite Republican attacks on tax savings programs, we’ll continue to Stand Tall for Michigan and protect working families’ checkbooks.” 

 

“Slashing the EITC makes it even harder for working families to feed their kids and keep a roof over their heads,” said* Ron Bieber, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO*. “Republicans in D.C. are taking from the working class so they can give billionaires a tax cut. It’s unacceptable. Republicans need to put workers and their families first, not last.”   

 

“Cutting the EITC is direct blow to working families and seniors who are struggling to make it in today’s economy, said *Lori Stephens-Brown, Director of Marquette Aging Services*. “This isn’t a budget line item-it’s a lifeline.” 

 

*Republican Changes to EITC* 

Based on the data released by the IRS, Governor Whitmer is highlighting the effect Republican changes to the EITC will have on Michigan’s working families and their children. The EITC is a federal tax credit that saves eligible working families thousands of dollars each year. In Michigan, Governor Whitmer has been committed to supporting working families, quintupling Michigan’s version of the EITC, the Michigan Working Families Tax Credit, to give over 700,000 working families an average tax refund of $2,800. Working families rely on these savings to pay for essentials, including groceries, utilities, and fuel. 

 

*Effect on EITC Eligibility* 

The Republican bill would add unnecessary provisions that will make it harder for many eligible families with children to claim and receive the EITC, resulting in hundreds of thousands of families losing out on critical savings. Currently, EITC claimants have to go through rigorous review procedures to ensure they are eligible. The Republican bill complicates the system by requiring that each family who claims a child for the EITC must pre-certify each child they claim, every year they file, before they can claim the EITC. They must also obtain an EITC certificate before the claim can be filed.  

 

By adding extra hoops for busy, working families to jump through, the Republican bill is designed to ensure that fewer eligible claimants will be able to get money back in their pockets. Not only will many families be unaware of the changes, but due to Republican cuts in funding and staffing to the IRS, millions of families will lack the support to navigate this complex requirement. This will result in thousands of Michigan families being unable to claim the EITC starting in 2028, forcing them to lose out on potentially $10,000 per year. 

 

*Delivering for Michigan’s Working Families* 

Governor Whitmer has been committing to fighting for working families, ensuring they have access to the tools and support they need to make it in Michigan. Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has: 


* Quintupled the Michigan Working Families Tax Credit [ [link removed] ] to give over 700,000 working families an average tax refund of $3,150. 

* Signed bills [ [link removed] ] codifying the Affordable Care Act into state law, protecting care for millions. 

* Provided bipartisan, free breakfast and lunch [ [link removed] ] to all 1.4 million public school students, forgiving all school meal debt. Continued [ [link removed] ] summer meal program. 

* Funded programs like Reconnect [ [link removed] ], Futures for Frontliners [ [link removed] ], and Michigan Achievement Scholarship [ [link removed] ] to lower the cost of higher education for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders and get them on paths to higher education or skills training that leads to a good-paying job. 

* Made historic investments in affordable housing to build 2,000 affordable, attainable rental housing units, and leverage $380 million in private funding. 

* Leveraged over $900 million to connect rural communities to reliable high-speed internet [ [link removed] ]. 

 

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