Michigan wants to give beverage distributors a new tax break

Corporate income tax: credits; distributor credit for returnable containers; provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding secs. 279 & 679. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4823'25

Introduced· 2025-08-27

Who's it for

Who's it for: Beverage distributors

What it means for you

4/10Mixed

Mixed: some good, some bad ·

Cost shift

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

This bill would give beverage companies a half-cent tax break for every returnable bottle or can they sell.

Our take

What we think, in plain words.

Michigan has a famous 10-cent bottle deposit law to encourage recycling. Right now, the companies that supply the drinks have to handle the empty bottles as part of their business. This bill would give those distributors a new tax credit of half a cent per container to help cover their costs. If their tax break is bigger than the taxes they owe, the state will cut them a check for the difference. It is basically using public tax dollars to pay beverage companies for a cost they currently handle themselves.

Take action

Add your name. At 100 signatures we compile this petition and deliver it to the office — and every signer gets a message to send their own representatives.

0 of 100 in‑district signatures

Step 1 · Pick your position

Step 2 · Add your name

Picking a side above doesn't sign anything yet — a free account records your name on the petition and keeps it one signature per person. We'll bring you straight back here with your choice saved.

The facts

What the bill actually says, no spin.

Gives beverage distributors a tax credit of half a cent ($0.005) for every returnable container they sell.
Increases the tax break every year to keep up with inflation.
Allows companies to get a cash refund from the state if the credit is larger than their tax bill.
Requires companies to file a specific report to get the money.
Starts in the 2026 tax year.