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Michigan military pay tax

Michigan does not tax active-duty military pay.

Active-duty payMilitary pay exempt
Military retired payRetired pay exempt
E-5 basic pay a year$49,320
BAH and BASNever taxed

Active-duty and reserve pay

Active-duty military pay is exempt. TSP withdrawals are taxed.

An E-5 with over 6 years of service earns $49,320 a year in basic pay. In Michigan, that pay is normally excluded from state income tax. Housing and food allowances are never taxed by any state.

Military retired pay

Military retired pay is exempt.

Your state of legal residence decides

Military pay is taxed by your state of legal residence, usually the state you lived in when you joined or one you later adopted by changing your records, not by the state where you are stationed. This comes from the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Spouses can choose to use the member's state of legal residence for their own income too.

See your total pay with state tax

Questions

Does Michigan tax military pay?

Michigan does not tax active-duty military pay. Active-duty military pay is exempt. TSP withdrawals are taxed.

Does Michigan tax military retirement pay?

Military retired pay is exempt.

Is BAH taxed in Michigan?

No. BAH and BAS are not taxable income for federal or state tax in any state.

Which state taxes me if I am stationed in Michigan?

Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, your military pay is taxed only by your state of legal residence, not the state where you are stationed. If Michigan is not your legal residence, Michigan does not tax your military pay.

Sources: Air Force benefits office state tax summary, tax year 2025 and Michigan tax authority. State rules change often, so confirm with the state before you file.