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Pension Tax FAQs

Pension Tax FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

The changes to the tax structure will affect returns due in 2013. For an overview of the changes, visit the Department of Treasury website.

  1. Supreme Court Case - Published Dec. 6, 2011
  2. Age Requirements for MI Income Tax on Pension - Published Dec. 6, 2011
  3. Residency Questions - Published Dec. 6, 2011
  4. When Will Tax Go Into Effect - Published Dec. 6, 2011
  5. Amount of Tax Withheld - Published Dec. 6, 2011

 

Supreme Court Case

  1. What's happening with the state pension tax law in the Supreme Court?

Age Requirements for MI Income Tax on Pension

  1. I was born on or before Dec. 31, 1945. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?
  2. I was born between Jan. 1, 1946. and Dec. 31, 1952. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?
  3. I was born on Jan. 1, 1952, or after. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?
  4. My spouse was born on or before Dec. 31, 1945, and I was born after that date. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?
  5. My spouse was born between Jan. 1, 1946, and Dec. 31, 1952. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?
  6. My spouse was born on January 1, 1952 or after. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?
  7. I'm filing jointly with my spouse. Whose age should we go by to know how the tax will affect us?
  8. I'm receiving a survivor's pension. Whose date of birth will state use to determine if I pay taxes; my deceased spouse or mine?
  9. I don't live in Michigan. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?

Residency Questions

  1. I live out of state half of the year. Will I be taxed?
  2. If I change my address with ORS to an out of state address, will you stop deducting for State of Michigan taxes?
  3. I change my address between Michigan and Florida every year. Will you continue to deduct Michigan taxes?
  4. I live in Michigan now but will be moving out of state. Will you stop taking out taxes for Michigan?
  5. I live in another state several months of the year. For tax purposes, am I considered a Michigan resident?

When Will Tax Go Into Effect

  1. When will ORS start taxing my pension?
  2. How will this affect my tax returns for 2012?
  3. Will I be taxed monthly starting in January 2012 or after my pension payments go over the $40,000/$20,000 threshold?

Amount of Tax Withheld

  1. How much will ORS withhold from my pension for the Michigan income tax?
  2. What should I choose for my exemptions?
  3. I want to know the dollar amount that will be deducted for Michigan income tax for my January 2012 pension payment.
  4. What is the percentage rate for the new state tax?
  5. Will there be a form available to change my Michigan withholding?

 

Supreme Court Case.

1. What's happening with the state pension tax law in the Supreme Court?

The legislature passed the bill, Public Act 38, and the governor has signed it, so the pension tax is considered Michigan law. The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that the pension tax is constitutional but making recipients ineligible for the subtraction based on household resources creates a graduated income tax that is unconstitutional. These portions will need to be revised by the legislature. We'll post any new information in the What's New section of the website.
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Age Requirements for MI Income Tax on Pension.

1. I was born on or before Dec. 31, 1945. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?

No, your pension will not be subject to MI income tax. You do not need to take any action.
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2. I was born between Jan. 1, 1946, and Dec. 31, 1952. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?

Yes, your pension will be subject to tax (unless you're filing jointly with a spouse who was born on or before Dec. 31, 1945).
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3. I was born on Jan. 1, 1952, or after. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?

Yes, your pension will be subject to tax (unless you're filing jointly with a spouse who was born on or before Dec. 31, 1945).
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4. My spouse was born on or before Dec. 31, 1945, and I was born after that date. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?

If you are filing taxes jointly with your spouse, your pension will not be subject to MI income tax. However, in January ORS will start withholding taxes according to the birthdate of the individual pension recipient. If you don't want taxes withheld, log in to miAccount after Dec. 23 and update the withholding for MI income tax.
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5. My spouse was born between Jan. 1, 1946, and Dec. 31, 1952. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?

Unless you were born on Dec. 31, 1945 or before, yes, your pension will be subject to MI income tax.
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6. My spouse was born on Jan. 1, 1952, or after. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?

Unless you were born on Dec. 31, 1945, or before, yes, your pension will be subject to MI income tax.
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7. I'm filing jointly with my spouse. Whose age should we go by to know how the tax will affect us?

The age of the oldest spouse determines the category that will apply to the pension and retirement benefits of both spouses. However, in January ORS will start withholding taxes according to the birthdate of the individual pension recipient. If you don't want taxes withheld, log in to miAccount after Dec. 23 and update the withholding for MI income tax.
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8. I'm receiving a survivor's pension. Whose date of birth will state use to determine if I pay taxes; my deceased spouse or mine?

We'll calculate your withholding based on your age since you are now receiving the pension payment.
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9. I don't live in Michigan. Will my pension be subject to MI income tax?

Your taxation status depends on your state of residence; if you're not a Michigan resident, you will not be subject to MI income tax.

WHAT ORS WILL DO: If you currently have a Michigan address on file with us, we'll withhold Michigan income taxes according to Public Act 38. To protect you from being under-withheld, if you currently have a non-Michigan address on file with us, but had a Michigan address on file between Sept. 1, 2011, and Dec. 16, 2011, ORS will withhold MI income tax. If your address with us has been out-of-state since before Sept. 1 of this year, we won't withhold Michigan income tax. You can log in to miAccount anytime after Dec. 23 to make changes to your withholding.
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Residency Questions.

1. I live out of state half of the year. Will I be taxed?

Your taxation status depends on your state of residence; if you're not a Michigan resident, you will not be subject to MI income tax.

WHAT ORS WILL DO: If you currently have a Michigan address on file with us, we'll withhold Michigan income taxes according to Public Act 38. To protect you from being under-withheld, if you currently have a non-Michigan address on file with us, but had a Michigan address on file between Sept. 1, 2011, and Dec. 16, 2011, ORS will withhold MI income tax. If your address with us has been out-of-state since before Sept. 1 of this year, we won't withhold Michigan income tax. You can log in to miAccount anytime after Dec. 23 to make changes to your withholding.
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2. If I change my address with ORS to an out of state address, will you stop deducting for State of Michigan taxes?

See Residency Questions > Question 1 for answer.
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3. I change my address between Michigan and Florida every year. Will you continue to deduct Michigan taxes?

See Residency Questions > Question 1 for answer.
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4. I live in Michigan now but will be moving out of state. Will you stop taking out taxes for Michigan?

See Residency Questions > Question 1 for answer.
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5. I live in another state several months of the year. For tax purposes, am I considered a Michigan resident?

Questions of residency should be directed to the Michigan Department of Treasury. If your address on Sept. 1, 2011, was in Michigan, ORS will withhold taxes based on your current federal exemptions. If you determine after talking with the Michigan Department of Treasury that you are not considered a resident and don't want taxes withheld, log in to miAccount after Dec. 23 and update your withholding for Michigan income tax.

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When Will Tax Go Into Effect.

1. When will ORS start taxing my pension?

Michigan tax will be withheld from your January 2012 pension based on the number of exemptions you requested for your federal income tax. If you were born on or before De. 31, 1945, ORS will not withhold Michigan income tax unless directed by you. You can log in to miAccount anytime after Dec. 23 to make changes to your withholding.
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2. How will this affect my tax returns for 2012?

The new law won't affect the 2011 tax returns you file in 2012. The new law will affect the tax returns you file in 2013 (for the 2012 year).
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3. Will I be taxed monthly starting in January 2012 or after my pension payments go over the $40,000/$20,000 threshold?

ORS will not know when you have reached the income threshold, so if you are subject to taxes, ORS will begin withholding starting Jan. 1, 2012. After Dec. 23 you can log in to miAccount and make adjustments to your withholding if needed. You may want to contact your tax advisor for the total number of exemptions you should claim, considering all of your sources of income.
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Amount of Tax Withheld.

1. How much will ORS withhold from my pension for the Michigan income tax?

Michigan tax will be withheld from your January 2012 pension based on the number of exemptions you requested for your federal income tax. If you'd like to use the same number of exemptions for your Michigan income tax, you don't need to do anything. If you'd like to change your state or federal exemptions, log in to miAccount on or after Dec. 23, 2011, and make any changes you need. If you make changes on or after Jan. 10, 2012, we'll use your federal exemptions to calculate your state income tax in January, and your changes will take effect in February.
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2. What should I choose for my exemptions?

ORS can't give you advice about your specific tax situation. You may want to consult a tax professional about adjusting your withholding amount.
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3. I want to know the dollar amount that will be deducted for Michigan income tax for my January 2012 pension payment.

After Dec. 23, a calculator will be available in miAccount. Please log in to review your Michigan income withholding and adjust as needed.

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4. What is the percentage rate for the new state tax?

Pensions will the taxed at the same rate as other income, 4.35%.
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5. Will there be a form available to change my Michigan withholding?

An updated version of our withholding form will be available on our website Dec. 23.
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