Children no longer are considered a deduction for tax purposes in Michigan, but some lawmakers think fetuses should be.

The state legislature currently is considering two bills that would create a tax credit for unborn fetuses that are 12 weeks or older. If the proposal becomes law, it would make Michigan the first state in the country to grant such status to the unborn.

Opponents of the measures claim the tax credit is just a sneaky way for abortion foes to establish a form of “personhood” for fetuses and eventually restrict women from getting abortions.

Republican Representative Jud Gilbert, one of the main sponsors of the fetus tax credit plan, said supporters merely want to help mothers with their taxes.

“You’re recognizing the fact that people have additional expenses, another person to take care of,” Gilbert told MLive. “Money saved there could be contributed to doctor's bills and all kinds of things.”

The proposal runs contrary to legislation adopted last year that eliminated a child tax credit deduction that affected 2.35 million children in Michigan.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Michigan Republicans Propose Tax Credit For Unborn Foetuses (by Karen McVeigh, The Guardian)

Michigan Bill Would Allow Expecting Parents To Claim Fetuses As Income Tax Exemptions (by Tim Martin, MLive.com)

A Summary of House Bills 5684 & 5685 as Introduced 5-29-12 (Michigan House Fiscal Agency) (pdf)