Measure would offer $210 tax deduction for growing families

State Rep. Rodney Wakeman’s plan to give growing families access to a new tax deduction was approved by the House Families, Children and Seniors Committee.

Wakeman, who chairs the committee, said his plan would offer a $210 state income tax exemption for mothers who are at least 12 weeks pregnant by the end of the tax year and under the care and observation of a physician.

“Pregnant women and their families incur additional expenses during a pregnancy,” said Wakeman, of Saginaw Township. “The savings from this exemption would help offset those expenses and incentivize timely prenatal care – which has been proven to lead to healthier outcomes for moms and babies.”

To receive the tax exemption, expectant mothers would have to provide a note from their doctor verifying their eligibility. A family would not be allowed to claim both a pregnancy deduction and child deduction in the same year for the same child. Wakeman’s measure, House Bill 4644, now advances to the full House for further consideration.