How Long Does It Take to Get Home Heating Credit?

The Michigan Home Heating Credit is a tax credit designed to help offset the heating expenses for low-income households. It is a refundable credit, which means an eligible person can receive a payment even if they do not owe any state income tax.

Determining Your Eligibility

To qualify for the Home Heating Credit, you must meet specific criteria. A primary requirement is residency; you must occupy a homestead in Michigan. This applies to both individuals who own their homes and those who rent and are responsible for their heating costs. Your eligibility is heavily dependent on your “total household resources,” a figure that includes all sources of income for everyone residing in the home, not just taxable income.

The state establishes income limit tables based on the number of people in the household. For example, a single-person household might have an income limit of around $16,586, while a six-person household’s limit could be near $46,157. There are also non-financial requirements. You cannot be a full-time student who is claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return, nor can you have lived in college or university-operated housing for the entire year. Individuals residing in licensed care facilities for the full year are also ineligible.

Information and Documents for Your Application

The application is filed using Michigan’s Form MI-1040CR-7, Home Heating Credit Claim. This form, which can be downloaded from the Michigan Department of Treasury website, requires detailed personal and financial data. You will need to provide the Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse if filing jointly, and any other dependents in the household.

You must also document your heating costs for the relevant period, which is from November 1 of one year to October 31 of the next. This information can be found on your utility bills from your gas, electric, or fuel provider. If you are a renter, you will need to provide your landlord’s name and address on the form.

The Application and Refund Timeline

The deadline for filing a Home Heating Credit claim is September 30th. You have two options for submission: you can file electronically or mail a paper copy of the form. If you are required to file a Michigan income tax return (Form MI-1040), you should submit the Home Heating Credit claim form along with it.

The time it takes to receive your credit largely depends on your filing method. Claims that are filed electronically are processed significantly faster, with refunds issued within 14 business days, while paper-filed claims take longer. Filing your claim earlier in the tax season may lead to a quicker turnaround. Delays can occur if your application contains errors or is missing required information, which will require the state treasury department to contact you for clarification.

Checking Your Credit Status and Method of Payment

After submitting your application, you can monitor its progress through the Michigan Department of Treasury’s “Where’s My Refund?” online portal. To use this system, you will need to enter your Social Security number, the tax year of the claim, and your total household resources. This allows you to see if your claim has been received, is being processed, or has been approved.

The method by which you receive the payment can vary. If you provide your bank account information on your application, the credit can be sent via direct deposit. Otherwise, you will receive a paper check in the mail. In some cases, the state may issue the payment as an “energy draft,” which is a check made payable to both you and your energy provider. This draft is sent directly to your utility company to be applied as a credit to your heating account.