On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation that brings tax and economic relief to Minnesotans. Senate File 3843, the Coronavirus Economic Recovery Act, emphasizes three elements that will benefit impacted businesses and their workers: liquidity to preserve cash flows, stability to give businesses some level of confidence moving forward, and recovery aid to help them push through the pandemic.
“This economic downturn is our new reality. We are taking action today to bring liquidity to businesses so they can stay alive, but it also brings some relief to Minnesotans. We need to provide a reasonably solid footing on which our businesses can stand as we move through this uncertainty,” said Senator David Senjem (R-Rochester). “This brings both immediate and long-term relief to rebuild our economy – assistance for individuals, small businesses, charities, and schools – through lower taxes and extended deadlines. In this time of hardship, we need to step up and help our neighbors. That’s what this bill does.”
Businesses struggling with cash flow due to the crisis will be able to keep more money on hand thanks to delayed tax payments for S-corporations, partnerships, and C-corporations; delayed installments of estimated tax payments; delayed accelerated sales tax payments; and delayed general statewide business property tax payments. The bill also provides full, retroactive conformity to Section 179 of the federal tax code, which will allow farmers and other small business owners to deduct large equipment purchases. Additionally, more families with children in school will be eligible for the K-12 tax credit due to a higher qualifying income threshold.
Other provisions include:
- A fairer school equalization aid formula, so districts with low property wealth will get more revenue
- An elimination of sunset and continued funding for the Angel Investment Tax Credit
- Charitable gaming tax relief to keep more tax dollars in local communities
- Making federal Paycheck Protection Program loans non-taxable on Minnesota taxes
- A reduced tax rate for low-income qualifying low-income class 4D rental property
Federal and state governments have already authorized extensions of income tax payments, sales and use tax payments, MinnesotaCare and Provider tax payments, and occupation taxes paid by mining companies.
The legislation awaits action by the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Senator David Senjem represents Dodge and Olmsted counties in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee and is a former majority leader and minority leader.