State Rep. Karl Bohnak today announced his HELP UP (House Effectively Lowering Property Taxes & Utility Payments) plan to eliminate state property taxes, lower energy costs, and reduce the cost of buying and selling a home.

“Significant property tax reform is one of the best ways we can help families deal with rising costs and keep more of their hard-earned money,” said Bohnak, R-Deerton. “Whether it’s young parents buying their first property, families settled into their dream home, or seniors looking to downsize, people across Michigan are paying far too much in property taxes.”

The HELP UP plan would eliminate all state-collected property taxes, saving the average homeowner about $900. The legislation would also eliminate personal property taxes on business equipment like machinery, computers, and other tools. Those savings would help small businesses, manufacturers, and service providers reinvest those dollars into higher pay for employees, additional positions, and lower prices for consumers.

The legislation would also eliminate the state transfer tax on home sales, saving buyers of an average Michigan home about $2,250. Those upfront costs can be a major barrier for first-time buyers, workers relocating to the U.P., and seniors looking to move into a home that better fits their needs.

“This historic property tax cut will mean the world for U.P. residents,” Bohnak said. “Being in Lansing has shown me that government has way too much of our hard-earned dollars. This proposal takes that money out of Lansing’s hands and puts it back where it belongs – with U.P. families and workers.”

###