Minnesota Senate Bill SF497

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/23
• Refer: 1/23/23

Caption

Individual income taxpayers free filing report requirement and appropriation

Impact

This legislation is likely to impact state laws related to the Department of Revenue’s reporting and operational protocols regarding individual income tax filings. Specifically, it seeks to ensure that information regarding free filing options is thoroughly evaluated and presented to the state legislature. The report must also include analyses of other states' practices, thereby aiming to enhance Minnesota's approach to tax filing, which could lead to more effective service delivery for taxpayers.

Summary

SF497 is a proposed bill in Minnesota aimed at improving the accessibility and efficiency of filing individual income tax returns. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Revenue to prepare a report by January 15, 2024, which will provide insights on free electronic filing options available for Minnesota taxpayers. This report is intended to encompass a variety of considerations, including system capabilities, vendor costs, and customer service provisions, in order to optimize the filing process for taxpayers in the state.

Contention

While the bill appears to have the potential for positive outcomes in terms of taxpayer assistance, it does raise certain points of contention among stakeholders. Advocates for the bill argue that it could significantly alleviate the burden on low-income taxpayers by making the filing process more accessible and less costly. However, there are concerns regarding funding, especially considering the appropriation of $175,000 from the state’s general fund for this purpose, and whether this allocation is sufficient to cover the development and assessment costs involved in creating a more robust filing system.