For more information contact: Ted Modrich 651-296-5809

HOUSE BRIEFS

Legislative Update -- Feb. 23, 2012

Dear Neighbors,

The legislative session is wrapping up its fifth week of work and redistricting maps were released on Tuesday. The judicial panel redistricting maps are posted at the following website: http://www.gis.leg.mn/html/redistricting.html.

The new maps certainly bring a lot of intrigue and evaluation at the State Capitol, but job creation and strengthening our economic recovery remain my top priorities. We need to remain focused on the job at hand.

While the legislative session continues, seemingly little attention has been given to job creation. Governor Dayton and DFL legislators have introduced a comprehensive plan to get Minnesotans back to work and strengthen our economic recovery, but have received little cooperation and support from the majority.

Jobs and the economy are what Minnesotans care about and it’s what we need to care about. Purely partisan legislation aimed at helping big corporations, and extreme, divisive bills created for campaign literature will not lead us to a stronger economy or a better state.

I remain committed to legislation to help rebuild Minnesota’s middle class, lower property taxes, improve schools for our children, and set our great state on a path to long-term prosperity.

As session continues to move along, I welcome input on these or any other legislative issues. Thank you again for the honor of serving you in the legislature.

Respectfully,

Representative John Ward
District 12A
828-3626

DON’T FORGET YOUR PROPERY TAX REFUND
Every year, thousands of Minnesotans who are eligible for property tax relief don't take advantage of it. As your legislator, I'm committed to ensuring that all of the people in our district who deserve refunds for their property taxes receive them. Please look over the requirements below to see if you qualify, and apply for the refund if you do. The incomes and the refund amounts are for homeowner refunds based on property taxes payable in 2012, and renter refunds based on rent paid in 2011.
THERE ARE TWO PROPERTY TAX REFUND PROGRAMS FOR HOMEOWNERS
Minnesota has two property tax refund programs for homeowners: the regular property tax refund and the special property tax refund. You may be eligible for one or both, depending on your income and the size of your property tax bill.

The Regular Property Tax Refund:
The regular property tax refund is for people who own and reside in their home on Jan. 2, 2012 (Jan. 2, 2011, for the 2010 return). If the home is not “homesteaded," your application for homestead must be made before Dec. 15, 2012.

You may be eligible if your household income is under these limits:
• For households with no dependents, the limit is $99,240.
• For households with dependents the limit increases with family size, up to $121,140 for households with five or more dependents.
• Senior or disabled homeowners may be eligible with household incomes up to $124,790 with five or more dependents.
Your household income will be determined when you complete lines 1 through 6 of your Form M1PR. The subtraction for dependents and for those age 65 or older or disabled is determined on line 7 of Form M1PR. For subtraction amounts, see page 9 of the Minnesota Property Tax Refund booklet.

How Much Can You Get? 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 a homeowner can receive for 2011 is $2,460.

The Special Property Tax Refund:
To qualify for the special property tax refund:
• you must have owned and lived in the same home on both Jan. 2, 2011, and Jan. 2, 2012;
• the net property tax on your homestead increased by more than 12 percent from 2011 to 2012; and
• the increase is $100 or more and is not attributable to new improvements.
There is no limit on household income for the special property tax refund. You may qualify for the special refund even if you do not qualify for the 2011 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.

Refund Amounts: 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.
How to Apply: To apply for either or both of these refunds, use Form M1PR, Minnesota Property Tax Refund. Filing Due Date is August 15
THERE IS A RENTERS’ REFUND
You may be eligible for a property tax refund based on your household income and on the property taxes paid on your principal place of residence, even if you rent. For purposes of the property tax refund, 17 percent of the rent you paid during the year is considered the portion paid for property tax. Use this information to help determine if you qualify and need to file Form M1PR to claim the refund.

Eligibility Requirements: You must have been a full- or part-year resident of Minnesota during the year and meet the income limits for renters. Dependents do not qualify.

Income limits for renters: You may be eligible if your household income is under these limits:
• For households with no dependents, the limit is $54,620.
• For households with dependents the limit increases with family size, up to $76,820 for households with five or more dependents.
• Seniors or disabled homeowners may be eligible with household incomes up to $80,520 with five or more dependents.
Refund amounts: The size of your refund will depend on your household income, the number of dependents and how much property tax you are considered to have paid. The maximum any renter can receive is $1,550.

How to apply: Your landlord is required to give you a completed Form CRP, Certificate of Rent Paid, no later than January 31 of the following year. You will need this CRP when you apply for a property tax refund. To apply, complete Form M1PR. You will also need the M1PR instruction booklet.

THERE IS A PROPERTY TAX DEFERRAL FOR SENIORS
The Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral Program is meant to help seniors who are having difficulty paying their homestead property taxes.

You may qualify for the program if both of the following are true:
• You or your spouse are age 65 or older.
• Your household income is $60,000 or less.
How does it work? If you enroll, the amount of property tax you pay is limited to 3 percent of your total household income for as long as you participate in the program. Any tax above that amount is temporarily paid by the state on your behalf.

This deferred tax must be repaid (with interest) to the state when you sell or transfer your home, or when your property no longer qualifies for the program.

Contact the Department of Revenue at 651-296-3781 with questions.

CHILDREN’S SUBCOMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH

I was recently appointed to serve on the Children’s Subcommittee on Mental Health. The Children’s Subcommittee on Mental Health is part of the larger State Advisory Council on Mental Health.

I am absolutely honored to be appointed to this subcommittee. For much of my career, I have worked with emotionally or behaviorally disordered youth and have been a constant advocate on mental health issues in my time at the legislature.

The Children’s Subcommittee on Mental Health issues a report to the legislature and governor every even-numbered year in October, and with the State Advisory Council, makes recommendations on the priorities for the use of the state’s federal block grant funds and reviews the state’s mental health plan that is submitted to the federal government.

Addressing mental health issues can be all the difference in the world for a young child. Minnesota’s children are our future. They’re our future workforce, our future innovators and entrepreneurs, and our future leaders. Helping them manage their mental health well can be the difference between a lifetime of success and a lifetime of struggling. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the subcommittee on this important issue.

Additional information can be found at http://mentalhealth.dhs.state.mn.us.

Respectfully,

Representative John Ward
District 12A
828-3626