Proposals for e-filing state taxes, early education director merge into one bill

A plan to create a new system allowing individuals to file their state income tax returns online for free, as well as create a government position to oversee early education and development is headed to the House Floor.

After reviewing provisions in the bill concerning government data Thursday, the House Civil Law and Data Practices Policy Committee approved HF990, as amended. Rep. Peggy Scott (R-Andover) sponsors the bill. Her delete-all amendment replaces the bill’s original language concerning ignition interlock devices. That remains the topic of the companion, SF413, sponsored by Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), which awaits action on the Senate Floor.

Rep. Peggy Scott

The bill now incorporates provisions from two bills: HF2259, sponsored by Rep. Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie), and HF2454, sponsored by Rep. Sarah Anderson (R-Plymouth).

In part, it would mandate a free electronic tax filing pilot program by Jan. 15, 2018; a statewide system limited to individuals whose income comes only from wages by Jan. 15, 2019; and a system open to a broader range of taxpayers by Jan. 15, 2020.

“We’re trying to make a government process easier for people to use,” Anderson said.

The director of early education and development would be appointed to a four-year term by the governor, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. However, the first term would expire Dec. 31, 2020. Among the director’s duties would be to serve as executive director of the Children's Cabinet.

Loon said the job would be “not an altogether new position,” but making it a director-level post would “provide coordination and effective operation of the many streams of funding” related to early education and development “so we can make better decisions on [spending] taxpayer dollars.”