A Michigan lawmaker has introduced legislation that would exempt homeowners from paying school-related property taxes if they do not have dependents enrolled in government-funded K-12 schools.
State Rep. Steve Carra, a Republican, seeks to amend Michigan’s General Property Tax Act by phasing in the exemption starting with a 40% reduction in taxes in 2027 and then expanding by 15 percentage points annually until eliminated completely in 2031. The exemption would also apply to property taxes collected under the State Education Tax, Revised School Code, and District Library Establishment Act.
Carra pointed out that approximately 72% of Michigan households do not have a child in government schools.
“Michigan taxpayers deserve fairness in how their hard-earned money is spent,” said Carra. “It’s fundamentally unjust to force people – including seniors, empty-nesters, those who pay for private school, and those without children – to subsidize a government education system they do not use. This is especially unfair because our broken system spends a record amount of money yet results continue to plummet.”
Carra’s bill is being submitted to the House Committee on Government Operations for further consideration.
