Did you know that nonprofit organizations and prisoners are the only two groups of taxpayers that don't pay sales tax? Although this is strange, it's absolutely true.

To fix this loophole, I recently supported House Bill 4678 to end this special sales tax exemption for prisoners. It is not fair to you, the law-abiding residents of this state, to pay more for products and services than felons sitting in jail. It is only fair that prisoners share an equal burden with the taxpayers whose dollars support their incarceration. It is estimated that revenue collection from these prisoners will be at least half a million dollars each year. That's half a million dollars that can go towards services for Michigan's residents. This legislation is now in the Senate for consideration and hopefully will make it to the governor's desk soon.

To assist Michigan residents receiving unemployment benefits, Michigan's Unemployment Agency (UIA) has now made year-end 1099-G statements available online. The 1099-G statement provides the total taxable unemployment compensation issued to jobless workers. Unemployed workers who have online claim accounts with the UIA can view and print their 1099-G statements from the agency's website at www.michigan.gov/uia.

Residents without an online account can sign up for free by visiting the agency's website and selecting 'UIA Online Services for Unemployed Workers.' This online portal is available 24 hours a day from Monday through Saturday. Once registering online, residents can view their benefits history, certify through MARVIN online, and communicate directly with the Virtual Problem Resolution team with questions and concerns. If you have any questions about this, contact the Unemployment Insurance Agency at 1-866-500-0017. 

Tax season has arrived, and for many Michigan residents, compiling taxes can be an extremely daunting task. The IRS encourages residents with a 2010 Adjusted Gross Income of $57,000 or less to visit http://www.IRS.gov/freefile to prepare, complete and e-file your federal tax returns at no cost. When you visit the website you will find a list of Free File Alliance member companies and a "help me find my company" tool that will help those who are unsure which company will fit your needs.

Free File Alliance has partnered with the IRS since 2003 and has been consistently reported for its user friendliness and efficiency. Taking advantage of this great opportunity can save frustration and money this tax season. Seventy percent of Americans will have access to this service, so I encourage you to go today and find out if you qualify for this great program.

If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at 866-828-4863 or via e-mail at cindydenby@house.mi.gov