LANSING — State Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township) introduced a bill today to put in place a state-level fix to a major problem caused by the federal tax legislation that was signed into law last month. House Bill 5404 restores the state-level personal exemption that, due to a conflict between state and federal law, can no longer be claimed. It is estimated that this oversight would add $680 to the tax bill of a family of four.
“In my mind, good tax policy puts money in the hands of working families so they can better support themselves and the local businesses they shop at,” Camilleri said. “The recent federal tax bill increased taxes on Michigan’s working people to pay for a tax cut for corporations — that’s wrong. And that’s why I’m introducing this bill to immediately protect people from a further unjustifiable increase at the state level.”
Since taking office in 2017, Camilleri has fought hard to help working families succeed. He recognizes the need for immediate action on this issue, and this is the first piece of legislation officially introduced to address it. When the problem in the federal tax bill was discovered, Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley came out in favor of a plan to fix it. HB 5404 is in line with that proposal.
This is not the first time that Rep. Camilleri has introduced legislation to protect Michigan taxpayers. In 2017, he introduced legislation to repeal the Snyder retirement tax; however, that legislation remains in committee.
“I’ve fought for a tax system that’s good for Michigan families and retirees, not one that rewrites the rules to benefit the wealthiest 1%,” Camilleri said. “The personal exemption treats all taxpayers the same. That’s why we have to protect it. I agree with the governor and lieutenant governor on the need for this fix, and I urge my colleagues to act quickly to enact this legislation into law.”