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State Representative Tom Hackbarth
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-2439
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GUEST COLUMN
The 2012 session, property tax refunds and stopping Asian carp
By Rep. Tom Hackbarth
The 2012 legislative session is just getting underway. Our top priorities will be to boost private-sector job growth, make our government operate more efficiently and provide tax relief to all Minnesotans.
Reform will continue to be a buzzword around the Capitol this session because we simply need to make better use of our tax dollars. The recession revealed how important it is for states – like ours – to create a more stable fiscal base. We passed legislation in 2011 to weed out wasteful state spending for a more efficient government. There is much more we can do this year and we will be introducing a whole package of bills to improve the way our state operates, increasing transparency and ending unnecessary or inefficient practices.
Our children’s education remains a top priority. We were able to add $50 per pupil to the K-12 funding formula in 2011, even as we had to make difficult cuts elsewhere. Reducing wasteful spending and enacting new efficiencies will help us continue to uphold our commitment to important areas such as this.
On another note, one bill I am working on establishes electric fish barriers to help keep Asian carp from infiltrating our waterways by migrating north on the Mississippi. This invasive species decimates habitat and even poses a physical threat to boaters by leaping out of the water. Reports from the Mississippi, the Missouri, and the Illinois rivers indicate Asian carp have doubled their numbers nearly every year since settling in, making it crucial we act now. Our plan is to put electric barriers in Hastings, St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Taxes always are a big topic at the Capitol. Last year, the Legislature passed a $30 million increase in direct refunds for Minnesota homeowners in two main programs. Below is some information homeowners may find useful in obtaining refunds.
The Property Tax Refund for all homeowners who meet income guidelines, and the Special Property Tax Refund designed to assist homeowners who see unusually large increases. The Property Tax Refund provides up to $2,640 to households earning $99,240 or less with no dependents. The income limit increases with family size, up to $121,140 for households with five or more dependents. Seniors or disabled homeowners may be eligible with household incomes up to $124,790.
Your property must be classified as your homestead in order to qualify and you cannot be a dependent on someone else’s taxes.
The Special Property Tax Refund provides relief for homeowners whose property taxes increase by 12 percent or more (and more than $100); refunds offset up to 60 percent of the increase. The tax increase cannot be attributed to new improvements and there is no income limit.
More information and complete forms are available by logging on to http://taxes.state.mn.us and clicking on the “Property Tax” link on the left side of the Minnesota Revenue homepage. You also can call Minnesota Revenue at (651) 296-3781.
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