ST. PAUL – The Minnesota House on Monday overwhelmingly passed legislation allowing state taxpayers to take advantage of numerous tax provisions already approved at the federal level.
State Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, said federal conformity is needed in Minnesota to ease filing compliance burdens and to help industries that were hardest hit from pandemic shutdowns – especially restaurant, hospitality, and entertainment industries.
“We are finally getting a tax conformity bill done in time for this year’s tax season,” Anderson said. “If the bill is enacted by the middle of the month, it would give tax preparers time to update their software. And, by today’s quick action in the House, it appears that we will get it done in time. Now, it’s up to the Senate to pass the bill quickly and get it to the governor to put into law.”
Anderson said at least seven federal bills have been passed into law since Minnesota last enacted legislation to match congressional changes. Tax year 2023 marks five years since our state tax code has been conformed, which Anderson said is the longest the state has been out of conformity in decades.
State officials indicate approving the bill (H.F. 31) by Jan. 13 allows tax software to be updated in time for the 2023 filing season. Language the House passed Monday specifies taxpayers have until Dec. 31 to file an amended return.
With 132-0 passage in the House, the bill is now in the hands of the Senate and, pending that body’s approval, will be presented to the governor for enactment.
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