Michigan Incentivizes Life-Saving Acts with New Law Granting Organ Donors Up to $10,000 Tax Credit

In a significant step towards supporting those who save lives, Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan has signed a bill into law, allowing living organ donors to claim a tax credit of up to $10,000. This legislative action recognizes the financial challenges associated with organ donation, including nonmedical expenses like childcare and lost wages.

The new law, as detailed byClickOnDetroit, permits eligible taxpayers to apply the credit during the tax year of the donation surgery or in the year before or after. Eligibility to receive this credit begins in the 2025 tax year, according to the provisions of House Bill 4361. The legislation emerged from the advocacy of state Rep. Felicia Brabec, who has intensely pushed for support of organ donations during her tenure in the House.

Donors face a raft of costs when saving lives; health insurance might cover the surgery, but not the substantial nonmedical expenses. “If there is someone who does their organ donation at the end of the year, they might have lost wages, child care, things like that, in the subsequent year,” Brabec said in a statement acquired byBridgeMi. The tax credit is designed to lessen such financial burdens, therefore, encouraging more individuals to undergo the life-giving procedure.

The impact of living organ donations is profound, with over 2,200 people in Michigan awaiting kidneys alone. “Organ donation is one of those things that relies on somebody being a hero, and saying yes,” Patrick Wells-O’Brien, Vice President of communications at Gift of Life, toldFOX 2 Detroit. With the passing of this law,

Existing support networks such as the National Living Donor Assistance Center and Donor Shield already contribute towards the costs faced by donors, providing up to $6,000 and $12,000 respectively for various expenses.

Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!