Guide to Using the AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide Self Service Site
How to Use Our Self-Service Tool to Apply for the Michigan Home Heating Credit
The AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide self-service tool has been designed to simplify state property tax relief applications. In Michigan, a Home Heating Credit claim can be filed with or without a Michigan Individual Income Tax Return (MI-1040). By using this tool, you will be able to easily verify if you qualify for the Home Heating credit and then complete the application. Upon completion of the application, you can download and/or print the application with the information you have entered. Then, mail the application to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
What Do You Need Before You Begin an Application
Before you begin, you’ll need to gather (1) the total amount you were billed for heat between 11/1/22 and 10/31/23, (2) social security numbers for all members of your household, and (3) statements reporting all taxable and nontaxable income. Income includes but is not limited to the following:
- Wages, salaries, tips, sick, strike, and SUB pay (W-2s and 1099s)
- Business income from Federal Schedule C, C-EZ or E or F
- Retirement pension, annuity, and IRA benefits (1099-Rs)
- 1099-INTs or 1099-DIVs
- Social Security, SSI and/or railroad retirement benefits and payment to minors or dependent adults who live with you
- Child support and foster parent payments
- Adoption subsidy payments
- Cancellation of Debt Income (1099-A and/or 1099-C)
- Nontaxable gain from sale of primary residence
- Student grants/scholarships (1098-T)
- FIP/MDHHS payments (Do not include food assistance)
- Rent/Bills paid on your behalf
- Personal loans – Including loans from relatives and/or friends
- Gifts received or expenses paid on your behalf over $300
- Workers’/veterans’ disability compensation/pension benefits
- Inheritance or proceeds of life insurance policy from deceased other than spouse
- Inheritance or proceeds of life insurance policy from deceased spouse
Important! You’ll Need to Complete Your Application in One Session
Please note that your Home Heating Credit application will not be saved. If you start an application, you will need to finish it in the same session. Otherwise, you will need to start over from the beginning.
What to Expect When Using The Self-Service Tool
Before starting the application, you will be asked to complete a brief demographics survey. This information will help us understand who participates and who does not participate in our programs so we may improve AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide’s programs and outreach activities. We do not maintain your name or address information in our database, so none of your answers will be linked to your name or address. Whether or not you answer these questions will have no effect on your participation in Property Tax-Aide or any other AARP Foundation program. We would appreciate it if you would answer all the questions to the best of your ability. However, you are free to select “Prefer not to answer” for any questions you do not want to answer.
Below is a step-by-step guide that you can refer to as you use the self-service tool:
Step 1: Click the link at the bottom of the page to redirect to the self-service tool
Step 2: Review and complete the consent form. Enter your name and check the first box to provide consent. (It is optional to check the second box to receive information about other services from AARP Foundation. If you do check the second box, you’ll be asked to provide an email address.) Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click Next.
Step 3: Read the demographic survey instructions and click Next.
Step 4: Complete the brief demographics survey. When you have answered all the questions, click Next at the bottom of the screen.
Step 5: You’ll answer some questions to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for the Michigan Home Heating Credit program. When you’re done, a pop-up box will appear letting you know, based on your answers, if you may or may not meet the eligibility criteria. If the pop-up box suggests that you may meet the eligibility criteria, click the continue button to advance to the application.
Step 6: Enter your information into the fields on the screen, then click Review
Step 7: Review to ensure that the information you entered is correct. If you need to make a change, you can do so directly on the screen. When you have completed your review, check the box and then print or download your application.
Step 8: Sign the application and mail it to the Michigan Department of Treasury, along with copies of any applicable required documents.