Omnibus Tax Bill to Bring LGA Reform and More for Cities

(Published May 20, 2013)

The bill includes sales tax exemption for cities, LGA reform and appropriation increase, and levy limits.

Tax Agreement Unveiled

(Published May 17, 2013)

Agreement includes LGA formula update and $80 million appropriation, as well as a sales tax exemption for cities and counties.

Online Sales Tax Passes U.S. Senate

(Published May 7, 2013)

The U.S. Senate passed the Marketplace Fairness Act by a vote of 69-27. The bill (H.R. 684) awaits a vote in the House of Representatives.

Full Senate Approves Omnibus Tax Bill

(Published Apr 30, 2013)

Next step-conference committee to negotiate the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

Senate Taxes Committee Finalizes Omnibus Tax Bill

(Published Apr 29, 2013)

The bill includes LGA formula reform, an $80 million LGA increase, and a sales tax exemption for city and county purchases.

Full House Approves Omnibus Tax Bill

(Published Apr 29, 2013)

The bill includes several provisions of interest to cities, including LGA reform, police and fire pension aid funding increase, and municipal street improvement districts.

US Senate Expected to Vote on Marketplace Fairness Act Soon

(Published Apr 19, 2013)

Contact Senators Franken and Klobuchar to thank them for their support on bill that would require online retailers to collect state and local sales taxes.

Two Tax Hearing Modification Bills Considered in the House

(Published Apr 15, 2013)

The bills propose new requirements for communicating city budget and levy plans with residents.

Senate Division Releases Initial Draft of Omnibus Tax Bill Articles

(Published Apr 15, 2013)

Among other things, the bill includes $80 million in additional funding for the local government aid program.

Minnesota Revenue Collections Again Exceed Forecast

(Published Apr 12, 2013)

According to the report, Minnesota’s net general fund revenue collections for the two-month period totaled $2.570 billion, which is $145 million or 6.0 percent more than forecast for that period in the February state budget forecast

Bill Would Require Cities Over 2,500 Population to Hold Hearing and Publish Budget Information on Website

(Published Apr 10, 2013)

The bill that would impact cities over 2,500 population will be up on Thursday.

Tax Expenditure Reduction Bill Considered

(Published Apr 8, 2013)

Bill includes a repeal of the income tax exemption for municipal bond interest, which would raise municipal borrowing costs.

Omnibus Tax Bill Begins to Emerge

(Published Apr 2, 2013)

The House Property and Local Tax Division has released the first draft of their division report, which will incorporated in the broader omnibus tax bill.

Governor Drops Portions of Tax Bill

(Published Mar 8, 2013)

Governor Dayton announced the sales tax on business-to-business service transactions would not be included in his budget going forward.

House Committee Takes Testimony on Governor’s Tax Bill

(Published Mar 4, 2013)

The bill would raise income, sales, and tobacco taxes to address the projected state deficit and fund the governor’s budget proposals.

House Property Tax Division Considers Bill to Expand the Property Tax Refund (PTR)

(Published Feb 27, 2013)

The bill appears to provide direct property tax refund to homeowners rather than reinstituting the former homestead credit program.

Governor’s Tax Bill Includes LGA Reform

(Published Feb 25, 2013)

The bill is scheduled for a hearing on Feb. 27 in the House Taxes Committee.

Sales Tax Exemption Resolution Available

(Published Feb 22, 2013)

The League has developed a model resolution in support of the recent sales tax exemption bills.

Governor’s Tax Bill Introduced: LGA Reform Included

(Published Feb 20, 2013)

The governor's tax bill was introduced in the House and Senate on Monday; the bill includes LGA reform measures that would impact cities.

Tax Conformity Bill Approved by the Senate

(Published Feb 19, 2013)

The bill makes a number of income tax conforming changes, including extending the higher education tuition deduction and the educator classroom expense deduction.

City/County Sales Tax Exemption Bills Heard on Wednesday

(Published Feb 14, 2013)

Bills that would exempt local governments from the state sales tax were laid over for possible inclusion in a omnibus tax bill.

Final 2013 Property Tax Levy Data Released

(Published Feb 12, 2013)

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Revenue released information on the final 2013 property tax levies for cities, counties, school districts, townships and special taxing districts.

Need a TIF Change?

(Published Feb 11, 2013)

The House Tax Committee will hear tax increment financing bills later this month.

House Taxes Committee to Consider City/County Sales Tax Exemption Bill

(Published Feb 11, 2013)

A sales tax exemption would reduce city and county costs by an estimated $150 million.

City/County Sales Tax Exemption Bill to be Heard

(Published Feb 7, 2013)

A bill that would exempt cities from sales tax is scheduled to be heard next Wednesday.

Property Tax Recommendations Considered

(Published Feb 7, 2013)

The legislative property tax working group presented their report to the House tax committee on Wednesday.

Local Sales Tax Bills Heard on Tuesday

(Published Feb 6, 2013)

The Senate Tax Reform Division, chaired by Senator Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope), considered two bills were considered related to local sales taxes.

Homestead Market Value Exclusion Clean-up Bill Re-introduced

(Published Feb 6, 2013)

A technical bill that would attempt to address several unintended consequences of the 2012 conversion from the new homestead market value exclusion was introduced.

Governor’s Tax Broadening Plan: Which Services Are Included?

(Published Feb 4, 2013)

If it becomes reality, cities would likely be required to pay the sales tax on services.

Senate Tax Bill Moving With Local Projects On Board

(Published Jan 31, 2013)

Senate Tax Reform Division adds local economic development projects to federal income tax conformity bill.

Impact of Governor’s Sales Tax Plan on Local Sales Taxes

(Published Jan 29, 2013)

Governor Dayton's budget recommendations would extend the state sales tax to more goods and services, which could affect the amount collected by cities in local sales tax.

City and County Sales Tax Exemption Bill Introduced

(Published Jan 28, 2013)

The application of the state sales tax to city and county purchases has frustrated local officials since 1992.

Homeowners Get Property Tax Rebate Under Governor's Proposal

(Published Jan 28, 2013)

Under the proposal, all Minnesota homeowners would receive a maximum property tax rebate of $500.

Reversing the June Acceleration

(Published Jan 22, 2013)

A bill that would repeal the June accelerated sales tax remittance, which would reduce state revenues in the current biennium, is introduced today.

Sales Tax Base Expansion Bills Considered

(Published Jan 22, 2013)

The Senate Tax Reform Division has begun looking at bills that would broaden the sales tax base and possibly allow the sales tax rate to be reduced.

Senate Committee Considers Online Sales Tax Bill

(Published Jan 22, 2013)

The broadly supported bill aims to help Main Street businesses by requiring certain online retailers to collect the Minnesota sales tax.

Walker Local Sales Tax Bill Introduced

(Published Jan 11, 2013)

In the first batch of bill introductions for the 2013 legislative session, the city of Walker has worked with their legislators to introduce the first local sales tax authorization bill.

Tax Reform Open House

(Published Jan 11, 2013)

The governor’s staff, including the Commissioner of Revenue Myron Frans, Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget Jim Schowalter, Chief of Staff Tina Smith and other members of the governor’s staff will be hosting an Open House for community leaders on the Governor’s tax reform initiative.

State Revenues Exceed forecast for November/December

(Published Jan 11, 2013)

The January report is always eagerly anticipated because it is the first glimpse at tax collections during the previous holiday shopping season. This year, interest in the report was heightened by the uncertainty surrounding the Congressional fiscal cliff and its potential impact on the state’s economy and general fund budget.

Expanded Circuit Breaker Bill Introduced

(Published Jan 11, 2013)

The second bill introduced in the Minnesota House this year is an expansion of the homeowner property tax refund program, also known as the circuit breaker and the renters refund program. Property taxes were widely discussed during the 2012 campaign and many candidates indicated their intent to author property tax relief legislation during the 2013 session.

Legislative Property Tax Working Group Completes Its Work

(Published Dec 19, 2012)

Working group recommendations for property tax reform will be forwarded to the 2013 Legislature.

Department of Revenue Releases Proposed 2013 Property Tax Levy Data

(Published Dec 19, 2012)

Statewide proposed 2013 levy increases are again below the five- and 10-year averages.

Federal Internet Sales Tax Proposal Making a Comeback?

(Published Dec 6, 2012)

The legislation would allow states to require online and catalog retailers to collect state and local sales taxes.

Property Tax Working Group Finalizes Report

(Published Nov 15, 2012)

Recommendations include ideas for streamlining the assessment calendar, and reducing the number of property classifications.

Truth in Taxation Time for Cities

(Published Sep 6, 2012)

Proposed property tax levies must be set and submitted to the county on or before Sept. 17.

Property Tax Working Group Gets Updates from Other Groups

(Published Aug 22, 2012)

The group members reviewed a list of current property tax exemptions as they began work toward developing draft recommendations.

Federal Affordable Care Act to Impact Minnesota Tax System

(Published Jul 25, 2012)

Minnesota is projected to see tax revenues increase by $48.2 million from fiscal years 2011 through 2015 under the provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act.

How Does Taxable Market Value Interpretation Affect Your City?

(Published Jul 11, 2012)

Please take the League’s short survey to let us know how reduced market value under the new HMVE program will affect your city.

2013 Municipal Budget Considerations

(Published Jul 11, 2012)

As cities begin planning their 2013 budgets, there are many factors to keep in mind—including state budget projections, LGA changes , homestead market value exclusion, and more.

City Representatives Discuss Homestead Exclusion with Department of Revenue

(Published Jun 27, 2012)

Fire state aid will not be impacted by the homestead market value exclusion, but levy limits and debt limits will be reduced.

Reminder: June 30 Financial Reporting Deadline for GAAP Cities

(Published Jun 27, 2012)

Cities that use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles are required to submit financial information to the state 180 days after the close of the fiscal year.