ST. PAUL – The Minnesota House on Monday overwhelmingly passed legislation allowing state taxpayers to take advantage of numerous tax provisions already approved at the federal level.
State Rep. Shane Mekeland, R-Clear Lake, said federal conformity is needed in Minnesota to ease filing compliance burdens and to help industries that were hardest hit from pandemic shutdowns – especially restaurant, hospitality, and entertainment industries.
“This is one of those common-sense bills we just needed to take care of because it’s the right thing to do for Minnesotans,” Mekeland said. “This will make things easier during filing season and I’m happy we acted early in the session. There is a whole lot more we need to be looking at in terms of taxes in light of the state’s $8 billion surplus and I look forward to discussing meaningful relief for Minnesota taxpayers.”
Mekeland said at least seven federal bills have been passed into law since Minnesota last enacted legislation to match congressional changes. Tax year 2023 marks five years since our state tax code has been conformed, which Mekeland said is the longest the state has been out of conformity in decades. Under the bill, taxpayers have until Dec. 31 to file an amended return.
State officials indicate approving the bill (H.F. 31) by Jan. 13 allows tax software to be updated in time for the 2023 filing season. Language the House passed Monday specifies taxpayers have until Dec. 31 to file an amended return.
With 132-0 passage in the House, the bill is now in the hands of the Senate and, pending that body’s approval, will be presented to the governor for enactment.
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