Sales Tax Collection
Retailers are required to remit a 6% sales tax on their taxable retail sales to the State of Michigan. Effective January 1,
2006, a retailer must calculate the amount of sales tax to collect by using the following rounding formula.
To determine the amount of tax to remit, compute the tax to the third decimal place and round up to a whole cent when the
third decimal place is greater than four, or down to a whole cent when the third decimal point is four or less.
How to Compute Withholding
To calculate tax amounts to withhold, employers may use a direct percentage computation (example shown below) or use
the Michigan Income Tax Withholding Table. This table is found in Form 446, Michigan Income Tax Withholding Guide.
Additional information regarding sales, use and withholding taxes, as well as Form 446 and the income tax withholding
tables, is available by visiting the Michigan Treasury Web site
2010
Allowance per Exemption
Payroll Period
Weekly
69.23
Withholding Formula
[Compensation - (allowance per exemption x number of exemptions)] x Calendar Year's Withholding Tax Rate.
Example: An employee with 3 exemptions earns $600/week in 2010 - the 2010 withholding tax rate is 4.35%.
The Direct Percentage Calculation is:
[$600 - ($69.23 x 3)] x 4.35% = Amount to withhold
[$600 - $207.69] x .0435 = $17.07
How to Compute Penalty and Interest
If a return is not filed or tax is not paid within three days of your event, you must include penalty and interest with your
payment. Penalty is 5% of the tax due. Penalty increases by an additional 5% per month or fraction thereof, after the
second month, to a maximum of 25%. Interest is charged daily using the average prime rate, plus 1 percent.
You may refer to our Web site for current interest rate information, or help in calculating late payment fees.