Living organ donors in Michigan can now receive a new tax credit
New tax credit for living organ donors in Michigan
The minimum wage will be jumping up $0.20 on Jan. 1, with a bigger increase to nearly $12.50 by mid-February. Workers are also in line for more sick time. Starting Feb. 21, workers will get one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked every week.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - Michigan is ringing in the new year with a whole new set of laws.
The minimum wage will be jumping up 20 cents on Jan. 1, with a bigger increase to nearly $12.50 by mid-February.
Workers are also in line for more sick time.
Starting Feb. 21, workers will get one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked every week.
Another new law means organ donors will be able to receive an income tax credit of up to $10,000.
What could this mean for Michigan donors?
"We know that the American kidney fund had ranked Michigan with a failing grade with legislation that was supportive of donation," said Patrick Wells-O’Brien with Gift of Life Michigan.
Thanks to a recent move by Michigan’s governor and state lawmakers, Michigan’s report card on organ donations just received an upgrade.
It’s all thanks to new legislation which creates a one-time tax credit to reimburse Michiganders for live organ donation expenses.
"Whatever cost you've occurred, you can then apply to recover those cost next year on your taxes," Wells-O'Brien said. "That would allow a $10,000 income tax credit off your state income taxes to recover expenses incurred by being a living organ donor. So, lost wages, transportation expenses, and because of efforts like this Michigan now has a grade B."
When does the new tax credits take effect?
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill which was introduced by state Rep. Felicia Brabec. The law takes effect Jan. 1.
"We were ecstatic," said David Galbenski. "Our whole goal was to remove financial barriers for living donors."
Liver transplant recipient Galbenski and Co-Founder of Living Liver Foundation also played a role in getting the legislation passed. He believes the tax incentive will be a game-changer.
"There’s over 2400 Michiganders waiting for a kidney or a liver," said Galbenski. "And what it will do is it will accelerate living donors stepping forward because we removed financial barriers."
To learn more about the tax incentive, you can tap here.
"So by removing those barriers, more angels on Earth will be able to step forward and save a loved one or someone they don’t even know and give them a second chance at life," said Galbenski.