Minnesota Budget Project - Renters' Credit At Risk

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Tax filing assistance is available from AccountAbility Minnesota.

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Renters' Credit At Risk

Renters' Credit cut by 27 percent in 2010

The Renters' Credit provides a property tax refund for nearly 305,000 low- and moderate-income Minnesota households, more than one-quarter of which include seniors or people with severe disabilities. The Renters' Credit is a critical tool to offset the impact of property taxes paid by renters, already one of the most regressive taxes in the state.

Under his 2009 unallotment plan, Governor Pawlenty cut the Renters' Credit by 27 percent in 2010 only - an average cut of $129. As a result, most Renters' Credit recipients - nearly 281,000 households - will see a significant cut in their Renters' Credits at a time when they are struggling to make ends meet. More than 18,000 Minnesota households will no longer qualify for the credit.

In the final budget legislation of the 2010 Legislative Session, the legislature approved this one-year cut, along with most of the Governor's other unallotments.

Additional information about the Renters' Credit:

Cuts to Renters' Credit hurts those already hurt by the tough economy is a one-page fact sheet describing the impact of the cut to the Renters' Credit under unallotment.
Comparison of current law versus the Governor's plan to cut the Renters' Credit for sample families - compares the impacts of the cut for sample families, from House Fiscal Analysis
Who Receives the Renters' Credit? - information by county on the number of persons receiving the credit, total amounts of Renters' Credit received by county residents, and more
What is the Renters' Credit/Circuit Breaker Property Tax Refund? - an overview of the Renters' Credit
Governor Proposes Tax Increase for Renters - this analysis by Minnesota 2020 finds that from 2004 to 2009, rental property taxes have grown three times faster than the Renters' Credit. As a result, rental property taxes have become much more regressive.
Statewide map of the percentage of seniors and/or persons with disabilities who receive the Renters' Credit (by county)
Statewide map of the average amount received for recipients of the Renters' Credit.

Updated June 24, 2010

2314 University Ave W. #20
St. Paul, MN 55114
Phone: 651.642.1904
Greater Minnesota: 1.800.289.1904
Fax: 651.642.1517
Email:

This document is for general information only - we are unable to answer specific questions about your renters' credit. To check on the status of your credit or to find out how to get tax forms, see the Department of Revenue web site or call (651) 296-3781. If you need help applying for the credit, see the AccountAbility Minnesota web site or call (651) 287-0187.