Treasury provides special benefits to military members and veterans

This Veterans Day, the Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury) would like to extend its gratitude to current and former military members by reminding them of the special benefits they may be entitled to receive.

“Our service men and women make many sacrifices to protect us,” State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. “The Michigan Department of Treasury will work closely with our military members to ensure they get the tax benefits and other resources they deserve.”

Current and former military members may be eligible to receive:

• Military Pay Tax Exemption. Military pay is exempt from Michigan tax, including military retirement benefits and exit and separation pay. 

• Children of Veterans Tuition Grant. This program provides undergraduate tuition assistance to the children of Michigan veterans who were totally and permanently disabled, missing in action or died while serving. Students may receive scholarship assistance for up to four academic years for a total of up to $11,200. 

• Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption. A property tax exemption for real property used and owned as a homestead as outlined in state law.

• Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) for Active Duty Military Personnel. Property owners can retain a PRE while on active duty if their property is rented or leased. 

• Property Tax Relief during Active Military Service. Property owned by a serviceperson cannot be sold to pay delinquent property taxes during a tour of active duty. 

• Summer Property Tax Deferment. A serviceperson, veteran or widow or widower whose income outside of military compensation is no more than $7,500 per year may be eligible for a summer property tax deferment.

• Federal Military Spouses Residency Relief Act. The spouse of an individual in the military may not be subject to the state’s taxation if they are a nonresident of the state, the service member is present in the state due to military orders, the spouse is solely in the state to accompany the service member, and the spouse maintains a domicile in another state. This act was amended in December 2018 to alternately allow military spouses to elect the same state of domicile as their service member spouse, even if they are not present in that state.

To learn more about tax relief and other benefits for current and past military members, go to www.michigan.gov/taxes.