LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Michigan residents will be able to voluntarily donate a portion of their state tax return to the American Red Cross and the financial literacy organization Junior Achievement under new laws. The most recent form included income tax check-offs for eight funds benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan, the Special Olympics, the United Way and other causes. Nearly $600,000 was raised in the 2014 tax year. Bills signed Thursday by Gov. Rick Snyder create a check-off option for the Michigan Junior Achievement Fund and the American Red Cross starting in the 2016 tax year. Michigan law limits the number of income tax check-offs in a single year to 10 and requires funds that don’t raise at least $50,000 for two consecutive years to be removed from the income tax form.
