With the passage of the federal tax laws, the Michigan Department of Treasury reminds taxpayers that the 2017 tax year will not be affected when tax season begins later this month. Taxpayers should file their taxes like they have in previous years when the state treasury department begins accepting 2017 state income tax returns on Jan. 29.

Any changes to tax laws will be experienced during the 2018 tax year and next year’s state income tax filing season. Income tax filing season begins on Jan. 29, tax returns are due April 17. “The new federal tax law does not affect the 2017 tax year,” said Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White, head of Treasury’s Tax Administration Group. “Please continue to file your income tax returns as you have in previous years.”

Taxpayers are encouraged to gather tax-related documents and update their home addresses with current and former employers so W-2s and other financial documents can be mailed to the correct address. Incorrect addresses typically lead to information being mailed to the wrong location and could cause delays when filing tax returns.

When tax season opens, taxpayers can e-file their state tax returns instead of mailing a paper return. To learn more, go to www.mifastfile.org. Later this month, forms and instructions may be viewed and downloaded from www.michigan.gov/taxes.

In addition, commonly used forms will continue to be available at Treasury offices, most public libraries, northern Michigan post offices and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services county offices.

All state income tax returns must be e-filed or postmarked by April 17, 2018. For the benefit and convenience of taxpayers, both the beginning and end of the state income tax filing season are the same as the Internal Revenue Service. To learn more about the state of Michigan’s state income tax, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax. Federal tax information is available at www.irs.gov.