What do billion-dollar road funding shifts, a new marihuana tax, and leadership in national tax policy have in common? Michigan’s Treasury is at the center of it all.

In this episode, we meet Chief Deputy Treasurer Lance Wilkinson and hear about his path into public service and tax policy. He shares insights into the role of the Chief Deputy Treasurer and how leadership at Treasury supports the department’s long-term vision and commitment to public service.

We explore Michigan’s involvement in the Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board and how it helps support taxpayers nationwide. Then, we dive into the many tax policy changes shaping the year ahead—from the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit and the Fiscal Year 2026 budget’s transportation funding overhaul to new developments like the Wholesale Marihuana Tax—and what these shifts mean for communities and businesses across the state.

Throughout the episode, you’ll hear how Treasury is prioritizing transparency, collaboration, and efforts to make tax systems that focus on improving the customer experience. From internal teamwork to national coordination, this conversation offers a clear look at how policy, leadership, and service come together behind the scenes.

Did you know you might have money waiting for you—and not even know it?

In this episode, we’re joined by Terry Stanton to explore Michigan’s Unclaimed Property program. Learn how the program works, discover recent improvements driven by human-centered web design, and hear about the friendly rivalry heating up between Michigan and Ohio this November as both states compete to return forgotten funds to their residents.

This fiscal year, Michigan is aiming to return $175 million—and we’re calling on you to help us reach that goal, defend our title as reigning champs, and once again beat our neighbors to the south. Search for your forgotten funds today at michigan.gov/UnclaimedProperty.

RESOURCES

• MI Unclaimed Property
• Missing Money (all 50 states & some Canadian provinces)
• Questions? Call Michigan's Unclaimed Property at 517-636-5320 (M-F, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Michigan's Taxpayer Advocate Robin Norton discuss taxpayers’ rights. Robin's official roles include her position as deputy office director of Advocacy Services and her work is dedicated to  ensuring that Treasury's processes are fairly administered. 

RESOURCES

For Taxpayers

• Taxpayer Advocate Website
• Taxpayer Advocate Telephone: 517-636-4759
• Taxpayer Rights & Responsibilities 

For Tax Professionals

• Tax Professional Website
• Tax professional Help Line: 517-636-0616

Offer in Compromise (OIC)

• OIC Website
• OIC Statutory Reference: revenue Act MCL 205.23a

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Kelly Frump, director of Human Resources at Michigan Department of Treasury, talk about hiring trends, interview tips, and why a career in public service might be a good fit for YOU.

RESOURCES

• Treasury Careers
• State Employment (michigan.gov)
• Employee Benefits (michigan.gov)

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Jessica Thomas, director of Treasury’s Bureau of Local Government and School Services (BLGSS) discuss how the Early Warning System offers data-driven, proactive help to Michigan school systems exhibiting signs of potential fiscal stress.

By identifying struggling districts before small financial trends become unmanageable, BLGSS can help districts with resources and suggestions that support local control. 

 RESOURCES

Gov. Whitmer Signs Historic FY25 Education Budget 

Fiscal Accountability - Early Warning 

Join Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and returning guest, Chief Economist and Director of Treasury’s Office of Revenue and Tax Analysis Eric Bussis, as they discuss May's Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC), Michigan’s latest economic information, and what the economic future may look like for the state in 2025.

 Resources
CREC (May 2024) Conference Materials (Agenda, Presentations, Executive Summary) 

Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Megan Patino, deputy director of the Michigan Education Trust (MET), discuss the many benefits of saving for college or trade school using a Michigan 529 Education Savings Plan. May 29 is ‘529 Day’ and Megan brings awareness to the importance of families investing in education, and ultimately, Michigan’s future.

RESOURCES

• Michigan Education Trust (MET) - Section 529 Prepaid Tuition Savings Plan 
• Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) - Direct Sold Section 529 Investment Savings Program
• MI 529 Advisor Plan (MAP) - Broker Sold Section 529 Investment Savings Program
• Webinar & Event Schedule
• Celebrate 529 Day!  New and existing customers are eligible for a promotional bonus (note submission deadlines)

Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Scott DeVarona, MiABLE program director,  discuss the benefits of the disability savings program administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury. MiABLE stands for Michigan Achieving a Better Life Experience .

April is ‘Able to Save Month’ and the MiABLE program is designed to help ease the financial burden challenging people with disabilities and their families.

RESOURCES
MiABLE Website 

Listen to Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Veteran and Chief Operations Officer Corey Grant as they discuss leadership best practices for you and your organization.  March is Women's History Month and Rachael and Corey weave 'women in leadership’ into the  conversation.

RESOURCES
Theory X And Theory Y, Douglas McGregor
Harvard Business Review: Leadership That Gets Results
Corey Grant: Circling Home
Women’s History Month 

Recommended books on leadership:

• Deliberate Calm: How to Learn and Lead in a Volatile World 
• Personality Isn't Permanent
• Smarter Collaboration
• Mastering Coaching

Join Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and returning guest, Chief Economist and Director of Treasury’s Office of Revenue and Tax Analysis Eric Bussis, as they discuss Michigan’s latest economic forecast and the state budget.

SPOILER: Director Bussis predicts our state’s economy will be improving as we move forward, and we can expect to find Michigan ‘strong and stable’ in 2024.

 Resources

•  FY25 Executive Budget Recommendation Documents
• CREC (Jan. 2024) Conference Materials 
• Overall Revenue Forecast

Guest host and Deputy Public Information Officer Ron Leix converses with Pam Bennett, director of the Bureau of Lean Innovation and Improvement at the Michigan Department of Treasury. Pam's area oversees People & Culture, and Innovation. 

Listen in as Ron and Pam discuss how MI Treasury can be improved, how the department embraces 'constructive conflict' through Change Management, and the role of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in employee training, development and retention. 

RESOURCES

• Treasury Careers 

Guest host and Deputy Public Information Officer Ron Leix with Treasury Outreach Manager for the Office of Operational Excellence Sarah Rusnell, discuss what both Individual Income Tax AND Business Tax filers need to know for the upcoming 2024 tax season.
Important topics include tax rate changes, tax credits, retirement tax, the Sales, Use & Withholding (SUW) annual filing deadline reminder, electronic filing options, and the NEW option to join the Gift of Life Michigan registry via your tax return!

RESOURCES 

For individual taxpayers:

•  www.etreas.michigan.gov/iit - Individual Income Tax eService (for individual income taxpayers to submit account questions and view refund status)

 For business taxpayers:

• https://mto.treasury.michigan.gov/ - Michigan Treasury Online (MTO) (any person with a legitimate business can file/pay, view/update, and/or manage Treasury registration for one or more business tax accounts)
• www.etreas.michigan.gov/bt - Business Tax eService (for business taxpayers to submit account questions and/or respond to Treasury notices)

For all taxes: 

• www.michigan.gov/taxes (for a variety of up-to-date Michigan taxes information)
• www.michigan.gov/treasuryoutreach (to view the Outreach schedule and sign up for notifications when future Treasury tax education events are scheduled) 

Join State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Anne Cram, director of Treasury’s City Income Tax Bureau, for a conversation about how city income taxes work in Michigan.

In this episode, you'll get to know Anne and her path in public service, learn how city income taxes are managed, who they impact, and how they benefit Michigan residents. You'll also learn about Treasury’s role in administering these taxes, common questions from taxpayers, and how this work supports local communities across the state.

RESOURCES

Michigan City Income Tax Webpage

Two Friends Talking: Join Chief Deputy Treasurer Jeff Guilfoyle (sitting in for Treasurer Rachael Eubanks) as he converses with his long-time colleague Glenn White, Deputy Treasurer for Revenue Services. The two discuss Glenn’s mid-life career change, his toughest challenges as Deputy Treasurer, and Glenn’s legacy of leadership within the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Join host Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Alyson Hayden for a thought-provoking discussion on state bonds and credit ratings. Alyson is the director of the Bureau of State and Authority Finance which manages the various bonding and debt programs overseen by the Michigan Department of Treasury. 

Bonding and credit ratings are tied to growing Michigan’s infrastructure and to our state’s continued fiscal health, and Alyson and Rachael discuss how both considerations directly impact all Michiganders.

Join host Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, State Budget Office Director Chris Harkins as they discuss how the FY24 budget will affect Michiganders.   

The bipartisan budget funds programs and services that will benefit residents, while delivering targeted tax relief and investments to improve the lives of the people of our great state. This budget follows through on Governor Whitmer’s plans to grow the economy, lower costs, focus on kitchen-table issues, and help anyone “Make It in Michigan.” 

RESOURCES 

• State Budget Office and final signed budget bills
• House Bill 4437 (general budget)
• Public Act 103 of 2023 (education budget)

Join host MI State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Ashley Kuykendoll, director of Treasury’s Recruitment, Development, & Inclusion Division, to understand how a business owner can begin to build and grow an inclusive environment by taking the time to evaluate and remove unintended barriers for employees and customers.

In addition to encouraging employees to be their best selves and do their best work in a fair and just workplace, diversity and inclusion practices have added benefits. Removing barriers so a product or website is available to ALL people will contribute to a greater consumer base, higher product sales, and increased profit margins for your business! 

RESOURCES

• Wordstream (2022): 11 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Resources for Small Businesses
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce (2021): 6 Small Business Owners on Making Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Part of Their Business Plan
• Harvard Business Review (2022): Data-Driven Diversity 
• Treasury Talk TAKE-AWAY:  Podcast Summary of First Steps Forward

Join host MI State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest,  MET Executive Director Diane Brewer to learn how your company can recruit & retain employees at NO EXTRA COST by offering them a Michigan college savings plan.

RESOURCES

• Michigan Education Trust (MET) 
• Michigan Education Savings Plan (MESP) 
• Michigan Advisor Plan (MAP)

April is Financial Literacy Month, and financial know-how is vitally important for Michigan's children, young adults, families, and senior citizens. 

In addition, having a population of informed, financially-empowered individuals benefits our economy and has long-reaching impact on us all. In this episode, Treasurer Eubank's guest is Brian Rakovitis, director of Economic Inclusion at the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) to tell us about his agency’s work on this important topic.

RESOURCES

• CEDAM
• State of Michigan: Financial Literacy
• Show Me the Money Day
• Michigan Free Tax Help
• Children's Savings Accounts 
• Michigan Economic Impact Coalition

Join host Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, State Budget Director Chris Harkins for insight designed to help small business owners guide and grow their companies in Michigan’s changing economy.  Director Harkins touches on talent and workforce development, and on budget recommendations for funding centered on economic development.  When Michigan’s economy is strong, small businesses thrive!

RESOURCES

• PROPOSED BUDGET SUMMARY for Fiscal Year 2024: Building a Brighter Future
• State Budget Office/Budget Details
• The Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) economic forecast documents.

Join Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Chief Economist and Director of Treasury’s Office of Revenue and Tax Analysis Eric Bussis, as they discuss all-new information that may provide small business owners with direction as they look ahead at Michigan’s economy. 

RESOURCES

• The Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) economic forecast documents

Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks talks with Treasury's Scott Lonberger, director of the Tax Administration Services Bureau, on end-of-year tax preparation tips benefitting small businesses and entrepreneurs.

TAX RESOURCES for Your Small Business

• Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center (IRS)
• Michigan Treasury Online (sign up for an MTO account to file, pay, and manage your business taxes)
• Michigan.gov/taxes (for a variety of business taxes information)
• Michigan.gov/treasuryoutreach (sign up for future outreach notifications)
• Etreas.michigan.gov/bt (for business taxpayers to submit account questions)
• Etreas.michigan.gov/tp (for tax professionals to submit account questions)

State of Michigan Treasurer Rachael Eubanks talks with Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency Director Zaneta Adams about the BIG small business benefits of becoming a Veteran-Friendly Employer.

RESOURCES for Veterans, and for Your Small Business:

• Employment Assistance for Veterans
• Resources for Veterans: CALL 1-800-642-4838. 
• Learn more about the Veteran-Friendly Employer Program (VFE)
• Questions about the VFE? Email MVAAstrategy@michigan.gov

Join State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Ryan Laruwe, executive director of Treasury’s Michigan Infrastructure Council (MIC) as they discuss MIC's new 'Dig Once' Portal, the Asset Management Champions training program, and the importance of infrastructure work to all Michiganders. 

RESOURCES

• Michigan Infrastructure Council (MIC) website
• MIC’s 30-Year Integrated Infrastructure Strategy
• MIC’s Asset Management Champions Program

Register for the latest AM Champions cohort by August 8, 2025!

Join Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and Michigan Treasury’s Ryan McElhone to learn how to protect your business’s reputation and bottom line.

CYBERSECURITY RESOURCES:

• Secure your identity
• Safeguard your business
• CISA Cybersecurity Small Business ESSENTIALS 
• CISA Small Business ACTION PLAN 
• Small Business Info Security: The Fundamentals
• Business ID Theft: What it Is & How to Protect Your Business

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Outreach Manager Sarah Rusnell discuss the many free resources and educational benefits that MI Treasury offers to both taxpayers and tax professionals. 

RESOURCES

Outreach webpage:

• Treasury-hosted and Invitation/Partnership events are listed on our Events Calendar. We have scheduled education events this summer, check them out and register!
• Sign up for Treasury-Outreach email communications through our webpage. We promise not to spam you. We send periodic communications about education event opportunities as well as Treasury tax and process changes that impact the tax community. 
• Connect with us: TreasuryOutreach@michigan.gov. It is important to note that the Outreach team cannot serve as a substitute or work around for any established Treasury communication pathway. We are happy to guide, clarify, and support you as well as receive your feedback, education topic suggestions or questions. 

>>Tax Professionals Help Line: 517-636-0616 (via the Taxpayer Advocate’s Office)

>>How to accurately and properly complete a Treasury power of attorney form.  

 New/Refreshed taxes web content: 

• Disaster-Related State Tax Relief
• Michigan Earned Income Tax for Working Families Tax Credit
• Homestead Property Tax Credit 
• Retirement and Pension Benefits Subtraction
• Payroll Service Providers
• Taxability Change: Delivery and Installation Charges
• Business Taxes Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Payments 
• MTO Payment Tutorials
• MiTRACE: Tobacco Stamping
• Collections eService Help Center
• Individual Income Tax eService Help Center
• Offer in Compromise 

Join MI State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guests, Ashley Kuykendoll and State Senator Sarah Anthony, for a special edition of the podcast to acknowledge the second anniversary of the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair” (CROWN) Act legislation. The CROWN Act expanded the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and banned race-based hair discrimination in the state of Michigan. 

Sharing her own insight on the CROWN Act is Ashley Kuykendoll, People & Culture Division director for Treasury’s Operational Excellence Bureau. 

AND at MINUTE 13:49, Senator Anthony gives listeners the backstory on what it took to get the bill she sponsored signed into legislation, and why she didn't give up on the CROWN Act.

Senator Anthony has made history multiple times throughout her 20-year career in public service. She served as mid-Michigan’s first African American woman to be elected to the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate, and is the first Black woman to chair the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. 

 RESOURCES

Governor Whitmer Signs Bipartisan CROWN Act to End Hair Discrimination

The CROWN Act: A jewel for combating racial discrimination in the workplace and classroom

Sen. Anthony Recognized for Championing CROWN Act by Michigan Civil Rights Commission

The Person Beneath the Hair: Hair Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being

Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act

Crown 2023 Workplace Research Study (Dove & LinkedIn) 

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Delsa Chapman discuss a groundbreaking financial education program for Michigan's teens. Delsa is the deputy superintendent for the Division of Assessment, School Improvement, and Systems Support at the Michigan Department of Education. 

Michigan is the 14th state in the U.S. to guarantee that its students have access to a personal finance education course before high school graduation. A bipartisan bill, passed by the state Legislature in 2022 and approved by Gov. Whitmer, mandates that personal finance classes be offered to all Michigan students starting with ninth graders in the fall 2025 academic year. 

RESOURCES

•  MI Money Matters
•  Michigan Dept. of Education (MDE) 

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Flora Boles discuss Treasury’s Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund and how the scholarship helps Michigan's foster youth succeed in college. Flora is a departmental specialist with the Michigan Education Trust (or MET), and facilitates programs that support first generation college students. 

"The numbers are sobering. Nationally, seventy percent of teens who emancipate from foster care report that they want to attend college, but fewer than ten percent who graduate from high school enroll in college, and of those three to 11 percent graduate from college. In Michigan, there are approximately 9,500 children are in the foster care system at any given time. As they reach adult age, having adequate resources to attain their dream of a college education is critical to having a successful future." -- Fostering Futures

RESOURCES

• Fostering Futures Scholarship (how to apply)
• Support the Fostering Futures Scholarship (event tickets/donations)
• Fostering Futures Scholarship Facebook
• Michigan Education Trust (MET) 

Old apartment security deposits, forgotten paychecks, insurance refunds sent to a previous address or inheritances from a distant relative -- you could have cash waiting for you!

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Terry Stanton discuss how to find your missing money, checks and valuables and the easy online process to claim your property. 

Former TV anchorman, groundbreaking communications pro, and lifetime baseball aficionado, Terry Stanton is also the state administrative manager for Michigan’s Unclaimed Property program. 

RESOURCES

• MI Unclaimed Property
• Missing Money (all 50 states & some Canadian provinces)
• Questions? Call Michigan's Unclaimed Property at 517-636-5320 (M-F, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

Deputy Public Information Officer Ron Leix and Communications Outreach Manager Sarah Rusnell discuss what Individual Income Tax AND Business Tax filers need to know for the upcoming 2025 tax season.

Their conversation encompasses expanded tax credits, the retirement tax rollback, a Sales, Use & Withholding (SUW) filing reminder, electronic filing options, and why choosing a qualified tax preparer is so important!

RESOURCES
Tax Season 2025: JANUARY 27 - APRIL 15

• Michigan Department of Treasury 
• Contact MI Treasury
• Michigan Treasury TAXES - up-to-date Michigan tax information

 For individual taxpayers:

• Individual Income Tax (and eService payment) - individual income taxpayers may submit account questions, pay taxes, and view refund status
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) - in-person tax prep help for eligible individuals from IRS.gov
• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide - provides tax prep assistance to anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 with low to moderate income  

For business taxpayers:

• Michigan Treasury Online (MTO) 
• Business Tax eService - for business taxpayers to submit account questions and/or respond to Treasury notices
• Business Taxpayer Reminder about state filing of W-2s and 1099s
• Treasury Outreach - view the Outreach schedule and sign up for notifications when future Treasury tax education events are scheduled 

 For tax professionals: 

•  Tax professional info
• Tax Professionals eService – for questions from tax professionals