State Rep Mark Tisdel: March Office Hours; Simplify Tax Collection on Heavy Rental Equipment; Tax Relief for Working Families and Seniors

Mar 7: Rep. Tisdel announces March office hours

State Rep. Mark Tisdel today invited Greater Rochester residents to join him for office hours on Monday, March 21.

Tisdel, of Rochester Hills, will host the meeting in Conference Room A at the Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road in Rochester, between 6 and 8 p.m. The event is open to the public, and no appointment is necessary to attend.

Tisdel looks forward to meeting with Greater Rochester residents to hear their concerns and discuss his work in the state Capitol.

The library has adopted protocols to reduce the spread of COVID-19, which can be found on its website.

Tisdel represents Michigan’s 45th House District in the state House of Representatives. The district includes the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills and part of Oakland Township.


Mar 2: Plan by Reps. Tisdel, Ellison to simplify tax collection on heavy rental equipment heads to governor

The Michigan House of Representatives today approved a bipartisan plan sponsored by state Reps. Mark Tisdel and Jim Ellison to simplify a local tax for Michigan businesses.

Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, and Ellison, D-Royal Oak, introduced House Bills 4833 and 4834 to replace the personal property tax (PPT) on rented heavy equipment with a tax that will simplify the collection process for rental businesses and local governments.

“The heavy equipment rental industry provides Michigan residents and small businesses with critical tools for emergencies and one-time projects,” Tisdel said. “The industry might supply an industrial pump and a storage container after a basement flood, or it might rent out an excavator to spread mulch for spring landscaping at a local business. Our bipartisan plan offers a much-needed fix of the complicated tax process for this equipment. That’s why it’s supported by Michigan rental businesses and local officials — both taxpayers and tax collectors.”

Ellison said: “Our local governments provide essential services, like parks and law enforcement, in our communities, and they can pay for local needs without overly complicated tax collection. Our bipartisan plan to reform personal property taxes on rented heavy equipment was designed with input from local authorities and industry experts, as well as feedback from the state Treasury. This legislation will help relax a complicated bureaucratic process for the heavy equipment industry and hard-working assessors while continuing to fund local public services.”

Under current law, PPT on heavy equipment rentals is assessed at the end of the year based on where the equipment is located, meaning local assessors must determine what equipment is presently stored in their respective jurisdictions.

The legislation would exempt rented heavy equipment from PPT. The exemption would apply to mobile construction, earthmoving or industrial equipment that is rented to customers, excluding equipment designed specifically for the oil and gas exploration, mining, and forestry industries. Exempted equipment would instead be subject to a 2% state tax on each rental transaction, which would then be distributed to local governments. To ensure the tax is a fair substitute for both local governments and businesses, the state Department of Treasury would compare the amounts of the new tax and PPT for a period of three years.

Tisdel and Ellison worked closely with local officials and industry stakeholders on the plan. They also collaborated with the Senate to amend the plan — in light of concerns raised by the Department of Treasury.

The bills passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and now proceed to the governor’s desk for her consideration.


Mar 1: Rep. Tisdel, House approve tax relief for working families, seniors

State Rep. Mark Tisdel, majority vice chair of the House Tax Policy Committee, today voted with the House of Representatives to approve a plan to reduce taxes for working families and seniors in Michigan.

“As inflation rises, pressure is building on Greater Rochester residents,” said Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills. “Grocery prices are eating more of family budgets, and gas prices are siphoning off more money. With these tax reductions, we can provide relief to working families and seniors in our community.”

Senate Bill 768, an estimated $2.5 billion tax relief plan, would reduce Michigan’s individual income tax rate from 4.25% to 3.9%, reducing the burden on working families. The plan would also allow parents to receive a child tax credit of up to $500 per dependent under age 19.

In addition to paying a lower rate, seniors 62 years and older would be able to exempt $20,000 of all income from the state income tax, or $40,000 for couples filing jointly. Eligibility for this exemption currently begins at age 67. The plan would further enable seniors to deduct retirement income — such as pensions, 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts — not already included in the first exemption. This additional deduction would also allow up to $20,000 for individual filers and $40,000 for joint filers.

After receiving bipartisan support, SB 768 now proceeds to the Senate, where it is expected to pass in the near future.

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Mar 7, 2022, from office of 45th District Michigan House Representative Mark A. Tisdel