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Minnesota Taxes and Tax Plans

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State tax policy that prioritizes everyday Minnesotans can expand economic opportunity, build thriving communities, and strengthen our economic future. However, tax policy can also widen income, wealth, and racial inequality if it primarily benefits those who are already doing well in today's economy.

We analyze individual tax proposals and full tax plans from the governor and legislative bodies, as well as the tax system overall, emphasizing the impact on everyday Minnesotans, tax fairness, and the ability of the tax system to raise the revenues needed to sustainably fund public investments that keep us moving forward as a state.

Research

June 2012

2012 Legislative Session: Modest budget changes, little progress on sustainably funding our future

The 2012 Legislature adjourned after making small changes to the budget, primarily in K-12 education, health and human services, and taxes. Policymakers did not take up proposed constitutional budget amendments that threatened the state's future. The 2013 session presents an opportunity for the Legislature to address the challenge of finding sustainable ways to fund the state's priorities. 

May 2012

No further cuts to renters' property tax refunds made in 2012 Legislative Session

The Renters' Credit refunds a portion of the property taxes that renters pay through their rents. It is an important ...

April 2012

'98 Percent' constitutional amendment creates barriers to common-sense budgeting

A proposed constitutional amendment creates a series of restrictions on policymakers' ability to make budget decisions that meet the state's needs and respond to changing circumstances. The proposal limits appropriations and spending to arbitrary levels and triggers tax cuts without regard to the state's current situation.

March 2012

Governor Dayton's FY 2012-13 supplemental budget focuses on small adjustments

Governor Dayton is proposing relatively minor adjustments to the state's current FY 2012-13 budget in his 2012-13 Supplemental Budget. The Governor reverses some of the cuts made to health and human services in the current budget, and increases funding for jobs and economic development, and veterans' benefits.

Taxes and Tax Plans Blog Posts

May 28, 2024

2024 Legislature passes improvements in Child Tax Credit, tax-filing process

The Minnesota Legislature passed some investments in Minnesota families’ economic well-being and improving their tax-filing experience in this year’s final tax legislation, including essential provisions for successful implementation of advance payments of the Child Tax Credit. Here’s a look at how our priorities for the tax bill fared this session.

May 13, 2024

Child Tax Credit and tax-filing improvements in play in final 2024 tax negotiations

Minnesota policymakers could be less than two weeks away from enacting into law innovations and improvements in the Child Tax Credit and Minnesotans’ tax-filing experience. Here's a closer look at the issues we are watching and how they are treated in Walz’s tax plan, the House tax bill, and Senate tax bill. Tax negotiators will need to reach agreement and pass final tax legislation before the legislative session ends on May 20.

May 03, 2024

Direct File could save Minnesotans time and money when filing income taxes

Paying taxes is how we come together to fund public services that Minnesotans value and count on, but with our current system, the majority of folks pay to meet their tax-filing responsibilities. Direct File is a free online tool to file and prepare income taxes, and Minnesota can build on positive federal progress on making this option available. Read our blog to learn about how a Direct File system would benefit Minnesotans by saving time, money, and improving access to tax credits.

April 03, 2024

Joint state budget targets set for 2024 Legislative Session

Governor Tim Walz reached an agreement with House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy on budget targets on March 22. The agreement outlines targets of $478 million in net general budget changes, including increased spending or reduced revenues, for FY 2024-25 and $63 million for FY 2026-27. The joint budget targets also set the parameters for final budget negotiations between the House, Senate, and the governor.