Filing a Michigan individual income tax return for the 2020 tax year required understanding the state’s specific rules, approved tax forms, and how the Michigan Department of Treasury processes information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Individual taxpayers, part-year residents, and certain nonresidents were required to file if their income exceeded state thresholds, had Michigan tax withholding, or wanted to claim credits or refunds. Accurate records, complete forms, and correct details—whether for income, sales, or business registration—were essential to avoid a notice or penalty.
For 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant change in the filing process for individuals, businesses, and corporations. The standard April 15 due date to file was extended to July 15, 2020, under Executive Order 2020-26. This extension covered filing and making payments, including estimated costs, but late payment could still result in interest and penalties. Whether submitting paper forms or e-filing, taxpayers must pay attention to the form requirements and payment methods and correct the mailing city and state for treasury correspondence.
This guide walks you through preparing and filing your Michigan tax return for 2020. You will learn to find the correct forms, include the right income and payment details, and follow the steps to calculate your taxes accurately. It also covers guidance on withholding, payments, refund tracking, and recordkeeping, helping you meet Michigan’s filing requirements, avoid common mistakes, and confidently handle any follow-up from the Department of Treasury.
Filing Michigan state income tax for 2020 required understanding who was required to file, the filing thresholds, and the key changes to tax forms and deadlines that year. The Michigan Department of Treasury applies a flat tax rate of 4.25% on taxable income, calculated using information from your federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) return. Even if you did not owe tax, you may still have been required—or benefited—from filing to claim credits or refunds.
Filing your 2020 Michigan individual income tax return began with identifying the correct tax forms and schedules. The Michigan Department of Treasury requires most individual taxpayers to complete Form MI-1040. Still, many filers also need additional schedules or attachments depending on their income sources, residency status, and credit eligibility. Accessing the correct forms from the official Michigan government website ensures you have the most up-to-date instructions and filing details.
The Michigan Department of Treasury’s official website is the primary source for all current tax forms, schedules, and filing instructions. Filers can search for specific forms by name or number, download complete instruction booklets, and access electronic and paper filing resources. Using official sources helps avoid outdated or incorrect versions, which can delay processing or cause penalties. Businesses and corporations filing Michigan returns should verify that their Michigan Department of Treasury tax registration is current. Accurate registration details ensure proper processing of all forms, payments, and credits.
Collect your federal return (Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR), all wage and income statements (Forms W-2 and 1099), proof of estimated payments, property tax or rent statements for the Homestead Property Tax Credit (Form MI-1040CR), and retirement statements for the Pension Schedule (Form 4884). Having everything ready helps you complete the return without delays.
Enter personal details, filing status, and residency information. Transfer your federal adjusted gross income from your IRS return, calculate your exemptions using the 2020 allowance amounts, and follow the form instructions to determine taxable income. Michigan applies a flat 4.25 percent rate to income after exemptions and adjustments.
Report income additions such as interest from other states’ municipal bonds and subtractions such as qualifying retirement benefits using the Pension Schedule (Form 4884). Apply the correct age-based deductions for your birth year, and transfer totals to the MI-1040 to update your taxable income.
List Michigan tax withheld on Schedule W and claim eligible credits like the Homestead Property Tax Credit (Form MI-1040CR) or the Veterans and Blind Credit (Form MI-1040CR-2). Confirm eligibility for the Home Heating Credit (Form MI-1040CR-7) and note that no extensions were allowed past September 30, 2021, for the 2020 tax year.
After applying all payments and credits, calculate whether you owe tax or will receive a refund. Choose direct deposit for faster refunds, or review electronic payment options like eCheck or a credit card through the Michigan Individual Income Tax e-Payments system to avoid penalties and interest.
Sign and date your return—both spouses must sign if filing jointly. If filing electronically, attach all required schedules in order. Keep a complete copy of your return and supporting documents for at least four years to comply with Michigan Department of Treasury recordkeeping requirements.
Michigan offers both electronic and paper filing options for your 2020 individual income tax return. Choosing the right method can affect processing speed, refund timing, and filing accuracy.
Electronic filing is the fastest and most accurate way to submit your return. Michigan’s e-file program (MIFastFile) allows you to file directly through approved tax preparation software, an authorized tax professional, or the state’s free file options if you qualify. Benefits include faster processing, fewer calculation errors, confirmation of receipt, and the ability to request direct deposit for refunds. Michigan also supports “state standalone e-file,” meaning you can file your state return separately from your federal return.
Some taxpayers may qualify for free electronic filing through approved vendors based on income or other eligibility factors. The Michigan Department of Treasury lists current free file providers on its website, making it easy to access these services securely.
If you file on paper, complete all required forms (Form MI-1040 and supporting schedules) using black or blue ink. Attach schedules in the correct order: Schedule W, Schedule 1, Schedule NR if applicable, and any credit forms such as Form MI-1040CR or Form MI-1040CR-2. Make a copy of the full return for your records before mailing it to the correct address. Always double-check that the city, state, and ZIP code match exactly as shown in the Treasury’s official mailing instructions to avoid delays.
If you owed Michigan individual income tax for 2020, the Michigan Department of Treasury offered multiple ways to make your payment. Choosing the correct method ensured your payment was processed on time and helped you avoid unnecessary penalties and interest.
You could make payments electronically through the Michigan Individual Income Tax e-Payments system. Options included:
If you preferred to pay by check or money order, make it payable to “State of Michigan.” Include your full Social Security number and the tax year (2020) on the memo line. Do not staple the payment to your tax return; mail it separately if you send other tax documents.
The payment due date for the 2020 tax year was extended from April 15 to July 15, 2020. Any tax not paid by this date was subject to penalties and interest. Michigan’s penalty for late payment is calculated as a percentage of the unpaid tax, with interest accruing daily. Making a partial payment by the due date can reduce the total penalties owed.
If you owed over $500 in taxes for 2020 and didn't have enough withheld, you may have had to make estimated payments. For that year:
After you file your Michigan individual income tax return, you can monitor the status of your refund or confirm the amount you owe by using the Michigan Department of Treasury’s online tools. The “Where’s My Refund?” system provides quick access to refund information, helping individual taxpayers and businesses avoid unnecessary calls or paper correspondence.
The Michigan Department of Treasury’s free “Where’s My Refund?” tool allows individual taxpayers to check the status of their refund quickly and securely. To access your records, you will need your Social Security number, last name shown on your tax forms, the tax year (2020), your federal adjusted gross income or total household resources, and the filing status used on your Michigan form. This system is especially useful if you filed close to the due date or used paper forms, which may take longer to process.
Refund timing depends on your filing method:
Choosing direct deposit when you file ensures the fastest access to your refund. Verify your account and routing numbers carefully—incorrect information can delay payment or result in returned funds. Once the Treasury issues the refund, most banks post it within 2–3 business days.
If you owe tax after filing, you can confirm the balance by logging into the Treasury’s payment portal. From the payment portal, you can pay using eCheck, a credit card, or a debit card; however, please note that card payments may incur a processing fee. Making timely payments helps avoid additional penalties and interest, and individual taxpayers who need extra time may explore payment plans through the Treasury’s website.
Reviewing your Michigan individual income tax return before sending it to the Department of Treasury can help you avoid costly penalties, notices, and delays. Use this checklist to confirm you have included all required tax forms, accurate payment information, and supporting records.
If you missed the 2020 filing deadline, file as soon as possible to reduce penalties and interest. Michigan charges a late payment penalty based on the unpaid tax, plus daily interest. Even if you cannot pay in full, submitting your return promptly can prevent further fees and help protect your refund eligibility for future years.
Many individual taxpayers qualified for free electronic filing in 2020 through Michigan’s approved vendor list. Eligibility was often based on income or age. Filing online speeds up refund processing, reduces calculation errors, and offers confirmation of receipt. The Michigan Department of Treasury website lists all free filing programs for eligible residents and businesses.
Most taxpayers file Form MI-1040, along with required schedules such as Schedule 1, Schedule W, or Schedule NR. Additional forms may include Form MI-1040CR for property tax credits or Form MI-1040CR-2 for veterans and blind credits. The Michigan Treasury website provides official, downloadable forms with instructions to ensure compliance and accurate filing.
Commonly overlooked deductions include qualifying retirement and pension benefits, income earned in another state, and Michigan Education Savings Program contributions. Certain pay and retirement income are excluded from state tax for military members. Reviewing your income sources and the Michigan form instructions can help ensure you claim all deductions you are entitled to receive.
You can request more time to file by submitting Form 4, Application for Extension of Time to File Michigan Tax Returns. Michigan automatically granted a matching extension to file if you received a federal extension from the Internal Revenue Service. Remember, extensions do not postpone your payment due date, and interest applies to late fees.
You may still file jointly if one spouse was a Michigan resident and the other was a nonresident. You must include Schedule NR to allocate income between Michigan and non-Michigan sources. The Michigan Department of Treasury will tax only the income attributable to Michigan, based on the residency and income details provided in your return.
Michigan individual income tax is a flat-rate tax of 4.25% applied to your taxable income after exemptions and adjustments. The Michigan Department of Treasury calculates this tax starting with your federal adjusted gross income, as reported on your IRS return, then applies Michigan-specific additions, subtractions, and credits. Both residents and certain nonresidents may be required to file.
Schedule your free, confidential tax relief review today.
Copyright © 2025 Get Tax Relief Now
