WATCH: Barrett Celebrates Higher Tax Returns for Michigan Families on Tax Day
Washington, D.C. — Today, on the deadline for Americans to file their income tax return, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) released a video praising the Working Family Tax Cuts he helped pass last year. In the video, Barrett highlights provisions that are providing real, targeted relief for working families including a boosted standard deduction, no tax on tips or overtime, an increased Child Tax Credit, and more.
Click here or the image above to watch Rep. Barrett’s remarks.
“Hi everyone, Congressman Tom Barrett here with a quick reminder that today, of course, is Tax Day. This is a day that none of us typically look forward to — but this year is different thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts.
“If you’ve already filed your taxes this year, you’ve probably noticed some big changes. Across the United States, the average tax refund is up 11% — about $300 more than it was last year. That’s because we prevented the largest tax hike on the working class in American history.
“We preserved the doubled standard deduction for every tax filer. We permanently increased the Child Tax Credit for every child in America while also boosting the Adoption Tax Credit. We eliminated tax on tips and overtime and now almost 90% of seniors will pay NO taxes on their Social Security. This is real relief for people across Michigan. Today, a family of four who makes $73,000 a year will pay no federal income taxes.
“The Working Families Tax Cuts are working hard to make sure that you keep more of your own money. If you haven’t finished your tax return yet, today is the day. Make sure you take advantage of this relief for you and your family — you deserve it.”
Background:
Barrett and his colleagues in Congress passed the Working Families Tax Cuts last summer, and President Donald Trump signed the bill into law. The bill locked in the 2017 tax cuts for workers and small businesses while preventing the largest tax hike in American history. It also delivered new or expanded relief for workers, seniors, and parents. Highlights include:
- Double standard deduction: making the higher standard deduction permanent. For 2025, the deduction is $15,750 for individuals and $31,500 for couples.
- Increased Child Tax Credit: permanently raising the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 per child.
- No tax on tips: exempting up to $25,000 in tipped income.
- No tax on overtime: exempting up to $12,500 in overtime premium pay.
- No tax on American auto loan payments: deducting up to $10,000 in interest payments for American-made vehicles.
- Deduction for seniors: allowing taxpayers age 65 and older to deduct an additional $6,000 in income. 88% of seniors will pay no income tax on their Social Security.
Click here to read Barrett’s recent op-ed about how the Working Family Tax Cuts are providing real relief for Michigan’s families.