Around 14 percent of Minnesotans have filed their 2024 taxes so far

Two months out from the tax filing deadline, the Minnesota Department of Revenue is already beginning to see a stream of return filings.

Around 14 percent of Minnesotans have filed so far. And more are expected to come in over the upcoming President’s Day holiday weekend, which is the second-busiest filing time behind the April 15 deadline.

The state is encouraging people to file electronically and pick the direct deposit option if they’re looking to get their returns quickly.

Those who qualify can also get free tax preparation help at 200 sites across the state. People over the age of 60, who speak limited or no English, make less then $67,000 a year or have a disability qualify for the state’s free tax preparation program.

Aside from income taxes, Gov. Tim Walz is proposing Minnesota reduce its sales tax while expanding what can be taxed to include some services.

The state’s sales tax would go from 6.875 percent to 6.8 percent. The change would remove sales tax exemptions for things like accounting, legal advice and financial consulting.

Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart has been testifying at the state Capitol, saying it’s a long overdue change to the tax code.

“It’s cutting the rate and broadening or expanding the base, which is really important, and that’s probably the most important part of all of this,” he said. “What the governor’s proposal does is right size the sales tax to a more service-orientated economy.”

The sales tax changes have been criticized by many Republicans, saying it just shifts the tax burden onto more people.