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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

January 2017

Prioritize working families by strengthening the Working Family Credit

Despite an overall economic recovery, many hard-working families across Minnesota still struggle to make ends meet. We also know that the state's future economic success depends on more Minnesotans participating in the workforce. A stronger Working Family Credit would support the work efforts of hundreds of thousands of working Minnesotans, get Minnesota children off to a stronger start, and make Minnesota taxes fairer.

November 2016

Final FY 2016-17 supplemental budget makes modest changes to expand opportunity, promote equity

The final budget decisions made in the 2016 Legislative Session combine small but positive steps toward broadly shared prosperity with some missed opportunities. This brief digs into the details on what was and was not included in education, health and human services, and addressing racial disparities. It also examines the 2016 tax bill, which included several important steps to support working families, but which failed to become law due to a drafting error.

April 2016

Dayton's FY 2016-17 supplemental budget proposal works to expand opportunity and close racial gaps

With a $900 million surplus, Governor Mark Dayton makes strategic investments that are focused on expanding opportunity for more Minnesotans, regardless of their race or where they live. The tax portion of Dayton’s supplemental budget prioritizes sustainable tax choices that move Minnesota toward a tax system that is more equitable across income levels. It is especially focused on supporting working families, particularly those with children.

March 2016

Proposed 'small business' tax cuts miss the mark

The 2016 Legislative Session offers an opportunity for making investments in our communities that build the quality workforce and high standard of living that have been critical to Minnesota's economic success. Large tax cuts that some have proposed would prevent this investment. This fact sheet takes a closer look at some tax cuts proposed to support small businesses and find they don't measure up to the hype.

Taxes and Tax Plans Blog Posts

May 12, 2023

2023 tax conference committee weighs similarities, differences in House, Senate, Walz tax plans

This year, policymakers are considering transformational changes and long-overdue investments to make Minnesota a state...

April 17, 2023

Minnesota should continue targeted approach to Social Security income tax exemption

In the debate about whether Minnesota should change its tax treatment of Social Security benefits, we’ve sought to draw...

March 29, 2023

House Property Tax Division bill includes transformational changes to the Renters’ Credit

One of the highlights of last year’s tax discussion is moving forward again this session: a game-changing proposal to...

March 23, 2023

Early agreement on state budget targets outline use of the surplus

On Tuesday, the Minnesota House and Senate leadership and Governor Tim Walz released joint budget targets that lay out ...