Whitmer proposes 10% property tax cut for Michigan senior homeowners

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed a budget measure to refund about 10% of annual property taxes for senior homeowners, an initiative her office estimates would cost roughly $90 million statewide and save the average eligible senior about $345 a year.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is proposing a change to the state budget that would provide property tax refunds for senior homeowners. The plan recommends a refund of about 10% of annual property taxes and is estimated to total roughly $90 million statewide. Her office says the average eligible senior homeowner would save about $345 a year. Whitmer will present her final State of the State address on Feb. 25 and include the budget proposals there. Proposal details: - Whitmer's office recommends a refund of about 10% of annual property taxes for senior homeowners. - The proposal is estimated to cost about $90 million statewide and would save the average eligible senior about $345 per year. - The governor's office described this as the largest property tax break in over a decade. - The proposal complements existing measures mentioned by the governor's office, including ending state taxes on Social Security and continuing a retirement pension tax cut. - Michigan's state budgets are set annually, take effect Oct. 1, and the legislature negotiates, votes on appropriation bills, and sends final measures to the governor. Summary: The proposal would reduce property tax bills for eligible senior homeowners and represents an estimated $90 million in statewide tax relief. The governor will present the budget on Feb. 25 and the legislature will then negotiate and vote on appropriation bills; final approval is undetermined at this time.