Michigan proposes a tax break for donating to food banks

Individual income tax: credit; credit for donations to certain charitable organizations that provide accommodation, food, or meals to indigents; provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding sec. 260. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4248'25

Introduced· 2025-03-18

Who's it for

Who's it for: Everyday People

What it means for you

8/10Helps you

Good for everyday people ·

Heavily funded

Plain‑English summary, cross‑checked against the official bill text.

This bill gives you a tax discount of up to $200 if you donate money or food to homeless shelters and food banks.

Our take

What we think, in plain words.

This is a simple win for regular people and local charities. If you give money to a food kitchen or homeless shelter, the state will cut your tax bill by half of what you donated. The limit is $100 for individuals or $200 for married couples. It encourages people to help their neighbors while keeping a little extra money in their own pockets. To make sure the money goes to good places, the charity must follow state civil rights laws to qualify.

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The facts

What the bill actually says, no spin.

Gives a 50 percent tax credit for donations to charities that feed or house poor people.
Caps the tax break at $100 for one person or $200 for a married couple.
Requires you to get a written receipt from the charity to claim the credit.
Forces charities to follow state civil rights laws if they want their donors to get the tax break.
Does not give you cash back if the credit is larger than what you owe in taxes.