Michigan wants to pay companies to hire struggling workers

Individual income tax: credit; work opportunity tax credit for qualified employees; provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding secs. 279 & 679. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5119'25

Introduced· 2025-10-23

Who's it for

Who's it for: Workers

What it means for you

6/10Mixed

Mixed: some good, some bad ·

Cost shift

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

This bill would give businesses a state tax break if they hire people who usually have a hard time finding jobs, like veterans or former prisoners.

Our take

What we think, in plain words.

This proposed bill tries to solve a real problem by encouraging companies to hire people who often get overlooked. Veterans, people who rely on food stamps, and those with criminal records need jobs. The catch is that the state loses tax money to pay for this corporate reward. Some critics argue companies just pocket the tax break for hiring people they needed to hire anyway. Still, it is a bipartisan effort to help people get back to work.

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The facts

What the bill actually says, no spin.

Creates a new state tax credit for businesses starting in 2026.
Rewards employers for hiring Michigan residents from specific targeted groups.
Matches 50 percent of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
Makes the tax credit non-refundable so businesses cannot get back more than they owe in taxes.
Requires a second bill to pass before it can take effect.