SF 258

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 01/27/2017 09:08am

A bill for an act
relating to taxation; requiring the commissioner of revenue to implement a free
electronic filing system for individual income tax returns; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin REPORT OF FREE ELECTRONIC FILING FOR INDIVIDUAL INCOME
TAX RETURNS.
new text end

new text begin (a) By March 16, 2018, the commissioner of revenue must provide a written report to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over taxes regarding free electronic filing options for individual income tax filing, including
a vendor-based solution. The report must include responses from a commissioner's request
for information to consumer-based tax filing software vendors. The request for information
may include, but is not limited to, seeking information on the following aspects of a free
electronic filing solution:
new text end

new text begin (1) costs, on a per return basis, that would be charged to the state of Minnesota to provide
an electronic individual income tax return preparation, submission, and payment remittance
process;
new text end

new text begin (2) vendor capability to provide customer service and issue resolution to taxpayers using
the software;
new text end

new text begin (3) vendor capability to provide and maintain an appropriate link between the Department
of Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service Modernized Electronic Filing Program;
new text end

new text begin (4) vendor security capabilities to ensure that taxpayer return information is maintained
and protected as required by Minnesota Statutes, chapters 13 and 270B, Internal Revenue
Service Publication 1075, and any other applicable requirements;
new text end

new text begin (5) products for the free filing and submitting of both Minnesota and federal returns
offered to customers and the thresholds for using those products; and
new text end

new text begin (6) add-on products offered to customers and their costs.
new text end

new text begin (b) The report required under paragraph (a) must comply with Minnesota Statutes,
sections 3.195 and 3.197.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $175,000 in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of revenue for administering section 1.
new text end