Last updated: June 19, 2026
Tax information only
This guide is general information, not tax advice. Tax rules can change. Your refund depends on income, filing status, children, rent, property taxes, heat costs, identity numbers, and records. Use official sources, free tax help, or a qualified tax preparer before you file.
Bottom line
If you worked in 2025 and lived in Michigan, start with the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Then check the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families. Michigan says its credit is 30% of your federal EITC, with a 2025 maximum Michigan credit of $2,414. You must file a federal return and a Michigan MI-1040 to claim it, even if you do not owe tax.
Many Michigan renters and homeowners should also check the Homestead Property Tax Credit. Families with heating costs should check the Home Heating Credit. Parents may also qualify for the federal Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, or education credits.
If you need help before a refund
A tax refund is not emergency aid. Refunds can be delayed, reduced, or used to pay certain debts. If you need food, rent, heat, utilities, child care, or cash help now, use Michigan 2-1-1 and apply through MI Bridges. Michigan 2-1-1 can search by ZIP code. MI Bridges is the state path for benefits such as food, cash, child care, health coverage, and State Emergency Relief.
For shutoff, heat, or emergency utility problems, check MDHHS emergency relief. ASMOM also has Michigan emergency help, Michigan help guide, and utility bill help.
Where to start
If you have children
Ask about the Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, and filing status. ASMOM’s tax credit guide can help you prepare questions.
If you pay rent
Check the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit. Keep your lease and proof of rent paid.
If heat bills are high
Check the Home Heating Credit. The 2025 claim must be filed by September 30, 2026.
Quick reference
| Credit or help | What it helps with | Where to check | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal EITC | Refundable credit for many workers with low or moderate income | IRS EITC tables | You need earned income and must meet IRS rules. |
| Michigan EITC | Refundable Michigan credit tied to your federal EITC | Michigan EITC | If you do not qualify for federal EITC, you do not qualify for Michigan EITC. |
| Child Tax Credit | Federal credit for qualifying children under age 17 | IRS child credit | For 2025, SSN rules are strict for the taxpayer and child. |
| Child care credit | Care costs paid so you could work or look for work | Publication 503 | It is usually limited by your tax and may not create a refund by itself. |
| Homestead credit | Michigan property tax help for renters and homeowners | Homestead credit | Income and taxable value limits apply. |
| Home Heating Credit | Help with home heating costs | Heating credit | The 2025 filing deadline is September 30, 2026. |
Federal and Michigan EITC
The Earned Income Tax Credit is often the biggest tax credit for working parents. Earned income can include wages, tips, self-employment income, gig work, farm income, and certain disability pay before minimum retirement age. It does not include child support, unemployment, Social Security benefits, interest, or most retirement income.
For tax year 2025, the IRS lists these EITC numbers for single, head of household, married filing separately, or qualifying surviving spouse filers. Use the IRS table or a free tax site for the exact credit. The credit goes down as income changes.
| Qualifying children | 2025 max federal EITC | 2025 income below | 2025 Michigan EITC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $649 | $19,104 | 30% of your federal EITC |
| 1 | $4,328 | $50,434 | 30% of your federal EITC |
| 2 | $7,152 | $57,310 | 30% of your federal EITC |
| 3 or more | $8,046 | $61,555 | Up to $2,414 |
The 2025 IRS investment income limit is $11,950. If you are close to any limit, do not guess. A free tax site can run the return and check your filing status, child rules, self-employment records, and Michigan credit.
How to claim it
File a federal Form 1040 and claim the federal EITC. If you have qualifying children, your return usually includes Schedule EIC. Then file the Michigan MI-1040 and claim the Michigan EITC. The 2025 MI-1040 was due April 15, 2026, but you may still be able to file late to claim a refund if you do not owe tax. If you owe tax, filing late can add penalties and interest.
Start with ASMOM’s tax help hub if you need a plain-English overview of free filing, tax credits, and refund problems.
Child tax credits
Child Tax Credit and ACTC
For tax year 2025, the federal Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child. The Additional Child Tax Credit is the refundable part, and the IRS says up to $1,700 per qualifying child may be refundable. A qualifying child generally must be under age 17 at the end of the year, live with you more than half the year, be claimed as your dependent, and meet other IRS rules.
For 2025, you must have a valid Social Security number to claim the Child Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit. On a joint return, one filer must have a valid SSN, and the other filer must have either an SSN or ITIN issued by the return due date. The child must also have the required SSN. Use the Schedule 8812 rules or free tax help if your family has mixed immigration or ID facts.
Child and Dependent Care Credit
This credit may help if you paid for care so you could work or look for work. For 2025, the IRS says you can use up to $3,000 of care expenses for one qualifying person or $6,000 for two or more qualifying people. The credit percentage is 20% to 35%, based on income. You must use Form 2441.
This is not the same as the Child Tax Credit. It usually cannot create a refund by itself. You need the provider’s legal name, address, and taxpayer identification number. If your employer put dependent care benefits in box 10 of your W-2, that can change the amount you can use.
If child care costs are your main problem, read ASMOM’s Michigan child care guide.
Education credits
If you, your child, or a dependent took college or career classes, ask about education credits. The IRS has two main credits: the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. The AOTC can help with the first four years of higher education and may be partly refundable. The LLC can help with many college or job-skill courses but is not refundable. Use the IRS education credits page and keep Form 1098-T, school bills, and receipts.
If school costs are part of your plan, ASMOM’s Pell and FAFSA guide can help with non-tax school aid.
Michigan property and heat credits
Homestead Property Tax Credit
The Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit can help some renters and homeowners with property tax costs. Michigan says your homestead must be in Michigan, you must have been a Michigan resident for at least six months of the year, and you must own and occupy the home or rent it under a lease.
For tax year 2025, Michigan 2025 HPTC limits list a maximum taxable value of $165,400 for homeowners, a total household resources limit of $71,500, a phase-out that starts above $62,500, and a credit limit of $1,900. Renters do not use the homeowner taxable value cap, but they still need rent records and total household resources.
Home Heating Credit
The Home Heating Credit is separate from regular income tax. Michigan’s 2025 MI-1040CR-7 book says the final filing date for a 2025 claim is September 30, 2026. A tax extension does not extend this heating credit deadline. You can file the Home Heating Credit with or without a Michigan income tax return.
| Michigan credit | 2025 key numbers | Form | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan EITC | 30% of federal EITC; max $2,414 | MI-1040 | Must claim federal EITC first. |
| Homestead credit | THR limit $71,500; credit limit $1,900 | MI-1040CR | Keep rent or tax records. |
| Home Heating Credit | Deadline September 30, 2026 | MI-1040CR-7 | Can be filed without MI-1040. |
If rent, property taxes, or utilities are still hard to manage, check ASMOM’s Michigan housing help and Michigan community support.
Free tax filing help
Do not pay a large fee before checking free help. The IRS says VITA and TCE programs offer free tax help for qualifying taxpayers at sites across the country. Use IRS free tax help or Michigan tax sites to search for a nearby site. Some sites are appointment-only, and some close after the main filing season.
If you want to file online yourself, the IRS Free File page says 2026 guided tax software is for taxpayers with 2025 adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less. Some partners include a free state return and some do not, so read each offer before you start.
Michigan Treasury eServices lets taxpayers manage state taxes. You can file a state return for free, check refund status, view letters, upload documents, and send secure messages.
Documents to gather
Bring more proof than you think you need. IRS and Michigan letters often ask for documents later when a child, address, income amount, rent amount, or credit is questioned. ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you keep one folder for tax and benefit papers.
| Bring this | Why it matters | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and tax IDs | Needed to file and claim dependents | Photo ID, SSN cards, ITIN letters, prior return |
| Income proof | Needed for EITC and credits | W-2, 1099, gig records, self-employment expenses |
| Child residency proof | Needed if a child claim is questioned | School, medical, child care, benefit, or lease records |
| Child care proof | Needed for Form 2441 | Provider tax ID, receipts, provider address |
| Housing proof | Needed for Michigan credits | Lease, rent paid, property tax bills, heat bills |
| Bank details | Needed for direct deposit | Routing number and account number |
If you also need food or cash help while gathering papers, see ASMOM’s Michigan food help, Michigan WIC help, and Michigan TANF help.
Mistakes to avoid
- Claiming a child who did not live with you for the required time.
- Using the wrong filing status because you are separated or sharing housing.
- Leaving out gig work, tips, or self-employment income.
- Not keeping proof of self-employment expenses.
- Missing the Home Heating Credit deadline.
- Using a paid preparer who will not sign the return.
- Ignoring IRS or Michigan Treasury letters.
- Filing paper when e-file is available and safe for your case.
Refund or claim problems
If you claimed EITC or ACTC, the IRS cannot issue the whole refund before mid-February. Use IRS refund timing and Michigan’s refund status page to check status. Do not check all day. IRS tools are usually updated once a day.
If Michigan sends a letter, respond through the method in the letter or through Treasury eServices. For state tax issues that normal channels have not fixed, Michigan says the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate is a last-resort resource after you first contact the Individual Income Tax Contact Center at 517-636-4486. Use the Michigan advocate page only after that first step.
If an IRS problem is causing hardship and normal IRS steps have not worked, the IRS Taxpayer Advocate may be able to help. If another parent or relative claimed your child, gather proof and ask a VITA site, legal aid office, or qualified preparer before you respond. ASMOM’s denied benefits guide can help you organize next steps, even though tax appeals have their own rules.
Backup help if credits are not enough
Tax credits can help, but they do not replace food, housing, health coverage, child care, or emergency aid. If your refund is smaller than expected, or you do not qualify, apply for other help through official paths. Michigan families may be able to use MI Bridges for food, cash, health coverage, child care, and State Emergency Relief.
For other next steps, use ASMOM’s national SNAP guide and Michigan’s pages for child care, WIC, TANF, housing, and emergency help linked above.
Phone scripts
Calling a free tax site
“Hi, I am a Michigan parent. I need help filing a 2025 federal and Michigan return. Can your site help with EITC, the Michigan EITC, the Homestead Property Tax Credit, and the Home Heating Credit?”
Calling Michigan Treasury
“Hi, I filed my Michigan return and need help with a refund or letter. I have my return, Social Security number, filing status, tax year, and letter number ready. What should I do next?”
Calling 2-1-1
“Hi, I am waiting on a tax refund, but I need help with food, rent, heat, utilities, or child care now. Can you search for programs in my ZIP code?”
Calling a child care provider
“Hi, I paid for child care so I could work. Can you give me your legal business name, address, and tax ID so I can complete Form 2441?”
Resumen en español
Si trabajó en 2025, revise primero el EITC federal. Si califica para el EITC federal, también puede calificar para el EITC de Michigan, que es 30% del crédito federal. También revise el Crédito Tributario por Hijos, el crédito por cuidado de niños, el Crédito Homestead de Michigan y el Crédito de Calefacción del Hogar.
Guarde sus W-2, 1099, tarjetas de Seguro Social, prueba de residencia de sus hijos, recibos de renta, facturas de impuestos de propiedad, recibos de cuidado infantil y facturas de calefacción. Para ayuda gratis con impuestos, busque VITA/TCE o llame al 2-1-1. Si necesita comida, renta, calefacción o servicios públicos ahora, use MI Bridges o Michigan 2-1-1.
FAQ
Is the Michigan EITC automatic?
No. You must claim the federal EITC on your federal return and claim the Michigan EITC on your Michigan MI-1040. File even if you do not owe tax and are claiming a refund.
Can I get tax credits if I owe no tax?
Sometimes. EITC and the Michigan EITC are refundable. The Additional Child Tax Credit may also be refundable. Some credits, like the Child and Dependent Care Credit, are usually limited by your tax.
Can renters claim the Homestead credit?
Some renters can qualify if they rent and occupy a Michigan homestead under a lease and meet the other state rules. Keep your lease and proof of rent paid.
What if another parent claimed my child?
Do not guess. Gather proof of where the child lived, who paid care costs, and any custody papers. A free tax site, qualified preparer, or legal aid office can help you respond.
What if I missed a deadline?
It depends on the credit. The 2025 Home Heating Credit deadline is September 30, 2026. Other Michigan refunds and credits may have different time limits. Ask Treasury or a tax site before giving up.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified June 19, 2026, next review September 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.