Minnesota Taxes and Tax Plans

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

July 2015

Opportunities missed and taken in the 2015 Legislative Session

We take an in-depth look at the FY 2016-17 budget passed in June, particularly measuring how well the tax and budget decisions meet the goals of increasing opportunity and economic well-being for all Minnesotans and ensuring a fair and sustainable tax system. With a surplus of $2 billion, policymakers had the opportunity to make targeted new investments after more than a decade of flat or declining funding in many public services. They took some opportunities, missed some, and lost some.

April 2015

Governor Dayton strives to increase opportunity in his FY 2016-17 budget proposal

After nearly a decade of frequent deficits and cuts to services, Minnesota’s outlook is improved and now faces a projected $1.9 billion surplus. Governor Mark Dayton uses the opportunity in his budget for the upcoming biennium to make investments in high quality schools, affordable college tuition. and a safe and modern transportation system to build a more prosperous state.

June 2013

Budget choices in the 2013 Legislative Session take Minnesota in a better direction

The FY 2014-15 budget approved in the 2013 Legislative Session made significant progress toward making Minnesota's tax system fairer, investing in the state's future, and putting the state on firmer financial footing. This issue brief examines the details of the budget in health and human services, E-12 education, higher education, economic development and housing, and taxes.

April 2013

'Fourth tier' would have little impact on small businesses

Governor Dayton's proposal to create a new income tax bracket on the highest-income Minnesotans creates the opportunity to raise adequate revenues and resolve the gap between what the state needs to fund basic services and revenues it can raise. The plan would not have a substantial impact on small businesses.

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Taxes and Tax Plans Blog Posts

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 ...

February 01, 2023

Governor Walz releases FY 2024-25 budget priorities

In his proposal for the two-year FY 2024-25 budget cycle, Governor Tim Walz proposes $11.2 billion in additional funding for public services, with the largest amount of new dollars going toward education, economic development, and health and human services. He also proposes $5.4 billion in tax reductions in FY 2024-25, with the biggest component being a one-time tax rebate. Read more in our blog.

January 25, 2023

Child poverty declines sharply thanks to federal Child Tax Credit expansion

Thanks in part to improvements policymakers made to the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC), recent U.S. Census data show that from 2019 to 2021, child poverty fell a remarkable 59 percent. Minnesota policymakers should build on that success and create a state Child Tax Credit.

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