NEWS RELEASE
Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn
Minnesota House of Representatives
District 49B – 651-296-7449– rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn.gov
567 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Marlee Schlegel
651-296-9873 or marlee.schlegel@house.mn.gov
January 24, 2023
Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn introduces the Great Start Childcare Tax Credit, is heard in Taxes Committee
Saint Paul, Minn. – Today, HF 9, known as the Great Start Childcare Tax Credit, was heard in the Taxes committee. This bill makes significant changes to Minnesota’s existing Child and Dependent Care Credit and renames it the Great Start Childcare Credit. HF 9 would expand the credit to help families with children five and under deal with rising childcare costs. The bill creates a sliding scale based on the number of young children in a household and income, with the maximum benefit for eligible families capped at $25,000. Currently, the maximum benefit is $6,000. If passed, the bill would go into effect for the 2023 tax year.
The House bill is chief authored by Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL-Eden Prairie).
“Until a child turns five and is eligible to begin kindergarten, public investment at either the state or federal level is marginal at best,” said Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn. “While temporary programs have provided some assistance, young families are still counting on permanent resources to help Minnesota kids have the great start they deserve. The Minnesota legislature has the opportunity to do what no other state has done – and expand our current dependent care credit into the Great Start Childcare credit.”
The proposal has a history of bipartisan support in the previous biennium, having previously been carried by Sen. Eric Pratt (R – Prior Lake). The bill is currently being carried by Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL – Hermantown) in the Senate.
HF 9 has been laid over for further consideration.
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