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Minnesota House of Representatives

State Representative Denny McNamara

359 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-3135

For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317

Posted: 2006-08-07 00:00:00
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NEWS COLUMN

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REP. DENNY MCNAMARA

Hello everyone,

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who attended their National Night Out events in Cottage Grove and Hastings. By participating in National Night Out, we make a strong statement that we care about the well-being of our community and are willing to do something about it. Not only does National Night Out benefit adults, it also gives kids the chance to meet and greet police and fire officials and learn about ambulances and fire engines. Although many of us got wet, I was personally able to visit more than a dozen events and the turnout was great. National Night Out allows us to get to know each other better and improve the safety of our neighborhoods. My thanks to all who participated - you are making your community a better, and safer, place to live.

I would like to remind you of a couple of property tax relief programs that the State of Minnesota has available. Below is information about 3 different property tax relief mechanisms currently provided under law. Please note that the deadline for the first two programs is August 15, 2006. The Regular Property Tax Refund is for people who own and reside in their home on January 2, 2006 (January 2, 2005 for the 2004 filing). If the home is not "homesteaded," your application for homestead must be made before December 15, 2006.

You may be eligible if your household income is under these limits:-For households with no dependents, the limit is $87,780. -For households with dependents the limit increases with family size, up to $106,980 for households with five or more dependents. -Senior or disabled homeowners may be eligible with income up to $110,180 with five or more dependents. The size of your refund will depend on your household income, the number of your dependents and how much property tax you paid. The maximum anyone can receive is $1,640 ($1,590 for 2004). The Special Property Tax Refund is for people who own and reside in their home on both January 2, 2005 and January 2, 2006. There is no limit on household income in this program. Your property taxes payable in 2006 must have increased by more than 12 percent and be at least $100 over your 2005 taxes. The increase must not be attributable to new improvements. This 12% includes school referendum increases.

To qualify for the special property tax refund:-you must have owned and lived in the same home on both January 2, 2005 and January 2, 2006. -The net property tax on your homestead must have increased by more than 12 percent from 2005 to 2006. -The increase must have been $100 or more. You may qualify for the special refund even if you do not qualify for the 2005 regular property tax refund. To determine if you qualify and, if so, the amount of your refund, complete Schedule 1 on the back of Form M1PR. You must include your Statement of Property Taxes Payable in 2006 when you file your Form M1PR. The maximum special refund a homeowner can receive is $1,000. The refund is 60 percent of your property tax increase in excess of the greater of 12 percent or $100. The 2005 tax deadline for filing for either of these programs is August 15, 2006. The instruction booklet for the regular and special property tax refunds can be obtained by clicking on http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/taxes/instructions/m1pr_inst.pdf. The Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral program allows people 65 years of age or older, whose household incomes are $60,000 or less, to defer a portion of their property tax on their home. It was established to help senior citizens who were having difficulty paying their property taxes. This deferral program has two primary advantages for senior citizens. It limits the maximum amount of property tax you pay to three percent of your total household income. It provides predictability. The amount of tax you pay will not change for as long as you participate in this program. This is not a tax forgiveness program - it is a low interest loan from the state. The deferred tax is paid by the state to your county. Interest will be charged on this loan. The interest rate will be adjusted annually, but will never exceed five percent. A lien will attach to your property. The instruction booklet for the Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral program can be obtained by clicking on http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/taxes/forms/crscd.pdf. I encourage you to take advantage of these property tax relief programs if you feel that you qualify. For more information, call the Minnesota Department of Revenue at 651-296-4444 or click on their website: http://www.taxes.state.mn.us. For further assistance, feel free to call my office at 651-296-3135.

I hope you're all having a great summer! Keep in touch,

Denny

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