topic We live in the state of Michigan and had a stillbirth back in October. Are there any tax credits for this unfortunate circumstance? What would we need to provide? in State tax filing

We live in the state of Michigan and had a stillbirth back in October. Are there any tax credits for this unfortunate circumstance? What would we need to provide?

jsmo21 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:28:11 GMT

Will there be an easy way to add this through turbotax?

Re: We live in the state of Michigan and had a stillbirth back in October. Are there any tax credits for this unfortunate circumstance? What would we need to provide?

TomD8 — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 15:06:43 GMT

No. Per the IRS, you may not claim a stillborn child as a dependent.

https://www.irs.gov/faqs/filing-requirements-status-dependents/dependents/dependents-10#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20claim%20a,stillborn%20child%20as%20a%20dependent.

Re: We live in the state of Michigan and had a stillbirth back in October. Are there any tax credits for this unfortunate circumstance? What would we need to provide?

Critter-3 — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 18:13:33 GMT

The state of MI takes a different stand on this :

In 2018, Michigan passed a law to allow parents to claim their stillborn child as a one-time dependent on their taxes. This assistance is meant to offset medical and funeral expenses to grieving parents; a child who dies a day before birth should be treated the same as a child who dies a day after birth. The House and Senate votes on those bills were unanimous.

The legislation passed on Tuesday will waive the fee for a certificate of stillbirth. The certificate is needed to claim the stillborn child as a dependent.

Re: We live in the state of Michigan and had a stillbirth back in October. Are there any tax credits for this unfortunate circumstance? What would we need to provide?

TomD8 — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 21:50:43 GMT

Of course, @Critter-3 's answer applies only to your Michigan state tax return, not to your federal return.