The "Take It Back Act" Taxpayer Relief Initiative Gains Traction

April 17, 2026

Take It Back Act Gains Bipartisan Momentum

Friends and neighbors,

As this is Tax Week, I am pleased to inform you that a bipartisan anti-fraud act that I have chief-authored alongside Sen. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) is gaining traction in the House and Senate.

The "Take It Back Act" (HF4950) is a bill to establish a 100% tax on state money obtained through fraud, to be imposed on individuals and organizations who have been convicted of doing so. It is notable because the tax applies to convicted fraudsters in addition to any court-ordered restitution that they are already required to pay. 

I receive phone calls and emails every day from Minnesotans who are angry about cuts to services, as well as the $10 billion in tax increases that they have been burdened with to cover this stolen money. Nobody likes paying taxes, but it is made even more painful when you feel that your hard-earned money will simply be hijacked by fraudsters, rather than invested into infrastructure that improves your life. As a business owner and taxpayer, this is how I have been feeling as well, and I want to do something about it. The Take It Back Act will be an important step for deterring potential fraudsters, as well as recouping as much of our stolen money as possible.

As the bill is currently written, the money returned to the state via this new tax is to be deposited into a "Taxpayer Relief Account," which will be drawn from to give taxpayers a break on their income taxes.

During this week's press conference on the bill, I was asked how we will go about collecting the money. We are willing to use all means necessary to make the Minnesota taxpayer whole. Under this bill, if someone is convicted of defrauding the state, the Department of Revenue will have the authority to immediately seize their assets (homes, vehicles, etc.). We will likewise garnish their wages until all funds are restored. Many criminals will likely be driven into bankruptcy from this process. Good. Let it be a deterrent to people who think they can take advantage of the generosity of Minnesotans.

Click HERE to watch our full press conference on the Take It Back Act.

In a time of political polarization, the Take It Back Act is an example of a healthy bipartisan effort to take action against Minnesota's fraud epidemic. The act is currently up to 69 authors in the House, and roughly a third of these authors are DFL members. Regardless of political party, Minnesotans want their money back. I am very encouraged by the act's momentum, and I am optimistic about its chance of passing into law by the end of this Legislative Session. 

The act is scheduled to receive hearings in the House and Senate Taxes Committees by the end of the month.

I look forward to keeping you updated as the Take It Back Act progresses.

Please Contact Me

Please continue to reach out if I can be of any assistance to you. You can reach me by phone at 651-296-3018 or by email at rep.patti.anderson@house.mn.gov.

Have a great weekend! 

Patti

/RepPattiAnderson

2nd Floor Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.3018