Federal tax conformity legislation (HF 6) will conform Minnesota’s tax law to recent federal changes, ease filing, and clarify financing for Rochester’s Destination Medical Center
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota Senate unanimously passed the first legislation of the 2015 legislative session. The bill, HF 6, was passed by the Minnesota House last week and will conform Minnesota tax law to accommodate federal changes, ease filing for Minnesota residents, and clarify language related to the financing of Rochester’s Destination Medical Center (DMC). Governor Mark Dayton said he will sign the bill into law immediately because of 2015 tax filing for Minnesota residents and continued planning for the DMC.
Commonly known as “tax conformity”, the legislation makes necessary technical changes to Minnesota tax law that allow for increased federal deductions for items such as higher education tuition, mortgage insurance premiums, educator classroom expenses, charitable contributions, and more.
“These tax conformity changes are a common procedure for the legislature,” said Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL-Crystal), who voted for the legislation. “Every year we have to make sure our Minnesota tax law reflects important changes made at the federal level. Legislators from both parties want to make sure that Minnesota families are getting the tax return they’ve earned. We need to get these bills done in January so there’s no need for extra paperwork when filing a tax return.”
Rep. Carlson, who serves on the Tax Committee, also remarked on the early positive momentum of the 2015 legislative session. Positive exchanges began among state lawmakers at the “One Minnesota” Conference held during the first week of the legislative session at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He hopes unanimous support for this first legislation is part of a continuing narrative of bipartisanship.
“We know that Minnesotans want to see their legislature work. That’s been a recurring theme in every term I’ve served,” said Rep. Carlson. “When new members join the House of Representatives, they are forced to learn a great deal about legislative work, but it’s also very important for sitting members to take time to learn about them- about their communities and their experiences, and about what they seek to accomplish when they come to St. Paul. So far, I’m pleased to see my colleagues attempting to listen to one another, and I hope we will continue to see it throughout the session to finish the work Minnesotan’s sent us here to do.”
Rep. Carlson encourages constituents to contact him with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Carlson can be reached by phone at 651-296-4255 or by email at rep.lyndon.carlson@house.mn .