Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point) is once again championing legislation that provides a phased-in subtraction of taxable Social Security benefits for purposes of calculating taxable income in the state of Minnesota.

As of last year, Minnesota is currently one of only 12 states that impose a Social Security Income tax on retirees, many of whom are living on a fixed income. North Dakota amended its tax code last year to strike Social Security payments from its definition of “taxable income,” making all of Minnesota’s neighboring states more friendly to seniors with Social Security incomes.

“I’ve carried this bill since 2013, and though we made progress in 2017, it wasn’t enough—it’s time to finally phase out this senseless tax,” said Sen. Ruud. “Many of my constituents are senior citizens, and many of them have had to homestead in other states because of Minnesota’s high taxes. We want our seniors to retire in our state, not leave for neighboring states that have more favorable tax structures. It’s time we listened to Minnesotans and phase-out this antiquated tax.”

Social Security Income is currently double taxed in the state of Minnesota, meaning a tax is paid when the funds are taken from your paycheck, and a tax is again assessed when you receive your benefits later in life. Over 300,000 Minnesotans would stand to benefit from the repeal of this tax.