LANSING, Mich., Oct. 27, 2025 — Last week, state Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) introduced House Bill 5119, a bipartisan bill to create a state-level Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for Michigan nonprofits. At the same time, state Rep. Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar) introduced House Bill 5118 to extend the same state-level credit to for-profit employers. Together, these bills provide Michigan nonprofits and businesses with an incentive to hire individuals from federally recognized “targeted groups.” These groups include veterans, long-term unemployed individuals, people with disabilities and others who face documented barriers to employment.
“Michigan’s economy is strongest when opportunity is not confined to the few but extended to the many,” Hoskins said. “This bipartisan bill ensures veterans returning to civilian life, people with disabilities seeking steady employment, and those rebuilding after long-term unemployment are not overlooked, but are given a fair chance to contribute and thrive.”
Modeled after the long-standing federal WOTC program, the bills allow qualifying nonprofits (HB 5119) and for-profit employers (HB 5118) to claim a partial state tax credit for wages paid to certified employees in these groups.
“This is not a symbolic gesture; it is a concrete, enforceable credit tied to wages and certification,” Hoskins added. “By working across the aisle with state Rep. Bierlein, we are making sure both nonprofits and businesses see real tax relief for investing in workers from targeted groups. Michigan will see stronger communities as more of our neighbors gain meaningful employment.”
