Michigan’s individual income tax filing season officially began Monday, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
Effective immediately, Michiganders can start filing their 2018 tax year state individual income tax returns online or submit paper forms through the U.S. Postal Service. All individual income tax returns must be e-filed or postmarked by Monday, April 15, 2019.
“All systems are operating as normal,” said Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White, who oversees Treasury’s Tax Administration program. “Filing electronically is the easiest and quickest way for Michigan taxpayers to get their refund. This helps ensure tax returns are accurate and improves tax refund turnaround times.”
Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is convenient, safe and secure. Last year, more than 4.2 million Michigan taxpayers e-filed, which is 83 percent of state income tax filers.
For more information about e-filing, go to www.mifastfile.org.
After Feb. 1, printed tax forms will be available in limited quantities at public libraries, some northern Michigan post offices, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services county offices and Treasury Field Offices.
For the benefit and convenience of taxpayers, both the beginning and end of the individual income tax filing season are the same as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Tax-Related Identity Theft Protections
To protect Michigan taxpayers, the state Treasury Department continues to implement security measures to stop tax-related identity theft. As a result, some individual income tax returns may be selected for identity confirmation.
If an individual income tax return has been selected for identity confirmation, the taxpayer will receive a letter from Treasury asking them to confirm their identity by completing a short online quiz or submitting paperwork. A phone option is available for those individuals who need additional assistance.
After a taxpayer confirms his or her identity, their tax refund will be issued in about a month.
“Don’t wait to file your tax return,” White said. “By filing early, taxpayers can prevent cybercriminals from stealing their refunds.”
Taxpayers who have been recent victims of identity theft are asked to report their circumstances to the state Treasury Department. Reporting identity theft helps thwart cybercriminals who attempt to file returns and steal state tax refunds.
To learn more about reporting tax-related identity theft, go to www.michigan.gov/identitytheft.
Since 2016, the state Treasury Department’s increased security measures protected more than 4,500 taxpayers who confirmed their identity was stolen and used to request state of Michigan income tax refunds. This prevented more than $19 million from being distributed to scammers.
Free Tax Help
Individuals with low income, disabilities or are 60 years of age or older may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers. For information about free tax help, go to https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ or dial 2-1-1.
To learn more about Michigan’s individual income tax or to download forms, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax.
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