Tax committee gains better understanding of federal changes, public opinion

The House Taxes Committee heard public testimony during the last 20 minutes of its Thursday meeting, but the message from those who spoke was clear: The sooner federal tax conformity is achieved, the better.

Prior to public input, the committee heard from representatives of the nonpartisan House Research and Fiscal Analysis departments detailing the complexities of conforming Minnesota’s tax code to the federal changes enacted in December.

Committee members’ questions on those reports were postponed in order to begin hearing public testimony.

The six individuals who addressed the committee came from varying backgrounds, but were essentially unified in their comments.

“If policymakers choose to conform Minnesota’s tax laws to the recent federal tax reform changes, the sooner you do so, the better for both taxpayers and industry – ideally in the current session,” said David Ransom, counsel for the American Coalition for Taxpayer Rights.

The committee plans to continue receiving public testimony next week.