Minnesota

New Minnesota tax credit pays up to $1,750 per child

Published

2 years ago

February 27, 2024

New Minnesota tax credit pays up to ,750 per child

DETROIT LAKES

— If you’re a Minnesota parent, make sure you file your state income tax this year, even if you don’t have to: The state is offering tax credits up to $1,750 per child in a move designed to cut its child poverty rate by a third.

“It’s a big deal, and we think there are nearly 300,000 Minnesota families who are eligible for this tax cut,”

Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan

said at a news conference in Detroit Lakes on Monday, Feb. 26.

From left are White Earth Tribal Chairman Michael Fairbanks, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and state Tax Commissioner Paul Marquart, who were getting the word out at Mahube-Otwa in Detroit Lakes about a new Minnesota child tax credit that could cut child poverty in the state by a third.

Nathan Bowe/Tribune

It was held at Mahube-Otwa Community Action, which offers free tax preparation for those with an adjusted gross income of $63,000 or less.

So far,

Flanagan

said, $240 million has been claimed through the new child tax credit, with the average credit being $1,291. About 191,000 children have benefited from the program so far, she said.

“So this is real money to families that can make a tremendous difference,” she said.

Filing taxes can be frustrating, tedious and mysterious,

Flanagan

said. That’s why people should take advantage of the free volunteer tax preparation available at 170 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites across the state, including at Mahube-Otwa in Detroit Lakes and at White Earth. Volunteers at these sites help prepare federal and state income tax and property tax refund returns.

two directors edited.jpg — Kristina McGee, left, and Lisa Stroschein, who manage four volunteer tax prep sites for Mahube-Otwa.

“Volunteers talk about how exciting it is when folks, especially folks on fixed incomes, qualify for tax credits,”

Flanagan

said. “If you’ve never filed taxes before, this is the year to start.”

The new tax credits could mean thousands of dollars a year, which can really make a difference for a family, she added. “If it’s that new pair of shoes, if it’s auto repairs, if it’s catching up on bills – it can really be life-changing for folks.”

White Earth has the only volunteer tribal tax site in the state, said White Earth Tribal Chairman Michael Fairbanks. “This (child tax program) isn’t a one-time event,” he added. “It should go on for many years – but you must file taxes to get the credit.”

Minnesota has made about $900 million available for the new child tax credit, which went into effect this year as part of a tax bill passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature and

signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz last year.

Former State Rep. Paul Marquart of Dilworth, who is now the state tax commissioner, said the program could be a real game-changer for children in poverty.

“In my 23 years down here in state government, I have never seen such a single program that could have such a transformational, generational impact on our families and children as this one single program,” he said.

“What I’ve always appreciated about Mahube-Otwa is their focus on child poverty,” Marquart added. While Minnesota does better than many other states when it comes to child poverty, “it’s probably two or three times higher in this area than the state average.”

While the maximum income to qualify for the full credit is $35,000 a year for a couple with one child filing jointly, “it phases out relatively slowly,” he said. For instance, a couple with three children would receive partial credit up to a combined income of $82,000.

The maximum income levels for each credit are as follows:

• One child: $52,500.
• Two children: $67,000.
• Three children: $82,000.
• Four children: $96,000.

• One child: $47,000.
• Two children: $61,500.
• Three children: $76,000.
• Four children: $91,000.

There’s no limit on the number of children eligible in a family. Only children under age 18 qualify, but there is also a credit for families with qualifying children older than 17, starting at $925 for one qualifying child, using the same income formula for benefits.

Other state tax programs to pay attention to are the working family credit and the revamped renter’s credit,

Flanagan

said.

And Marquart pointed to an expanded K-12 education credit and the Social Security tax exemption, which now covers three-quarters of the state’s filers. “Now up to 76% of people who receive Social Security will not pay a dime on their Social Security taxes,” he said.

Mahube-Otwa offers free tax preparation at four sites — Detroit Lakes, Mahnomen, Park Rapids and Wadena, said Lisa Stroschein, who manages the four sites along with Kristina McGee.

There are seven volunteer tax preparers at Mahube-Otwa in Detroit Lakes, all of whom are certified by the IRS and certified through the VITA program, Stroschein said. It’s not necessary to have an accounting degree to work as a tax volunteer. “We will train you,” she said. “It’s a misconception that they need an accounting background.” For more information on tax help, check out

Mahube.org.

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Minnesota

Lawmakers demand Keith Ellison resign as Minnesota fraud grilling turns brutal

Published

7 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Lawmakers demand Keith Ellison resign as Minnesota fraud grilling turns brutal

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) called on Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to resign during the House Oversight Committee’s hearing on the widespread fraud in Minnesota.

Higgins began his line of questioning by referring to Ellison’s open statement.

“Under Minnesota law, my Office has limited jurisdiction over criminal matters. The only kind of criminal case we can prosecute on our own is Medicaid fraud; any other criminal case must be specifically referred to us by county attorneys or the Governor,” Ellison said in his opening statement.

Higgins stated Ellison said that his office only had the authority to investigate Medicaid fraud, to which Ellison nodded his head in response.

But, Higgins pointed out that was incorrect.

“Under your own law, you have authority if the county district attorney asks you to get involved, or if the governor asks you to get involved, then your office can take the lead on any criminal investigation,” Ellison said.

Ellison remained speechless after Higgins asked him if that his statement was correct.

“So you have the authority to lead your state’s effort to respond to this massive fraud at the state level, from within the health care realm, where government money has been stolen at very, very high levels, unprecedented levels, in your state,” Higgins said.

“Are you leading that effort for the state of Minnesota?”

Ellison replied but his response was not picked up by the microphone.

“You’re addressing it,” Higgins asked. “Are you leading it?”

Ellison responded, “we are leading the effort to prosecute Medicaid fraud.”

“I’m not talking about Medicaid fraud,” Higgins yelled.

“Don’t hide behind that. You have the authority to prosecute anything criminally that the governor asked you to. And this thing is big.”

“I’m giving you an opportunity, sir. Are you leading the criminal investigative effort into this massive fraud across the board in the healthcare spectrum, in the state of Minnesota or not,” Higgins continued.

Ellison replied, saying his office was “following the law,” prompting Higgins to interject.

“You are not leading,” Higgins responded. “You’re not leading. I must say, Mr. Chairman, that the Attorney General of Minnesota should resign.”

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Minnesota

Maddy Kimbrel Named Minnesota’s 2026 Ms. Hockey Winner

Published

19 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Maddy Kimbrel Named Minnesota’s 2026 Ms. Hockey Winner

Maddy Kimbrel joined an illustrious group of players as Minnesota’s 2026 Ms. Hockey winner. The award is annually given to the best high school women’s hockey player in the state of Minnesota.

The Holy Family forward scored 37 goals and 57 points this season in only 26 games for her school.

She was also an assistant captain for Team USA at the 2026 U-18 World Championships winning gold. It was her second time representing USA at the event.

Kimbrel spent four seasons playing for Orono High before moving to Holy Family this season.

The 17-year-old Mound, Minnesota product is headed to the University of Wisconsin next season.

The other four finalists for the award were Alaina Gentz (Centennial/SLP), Jasmine Hovda (Roseau), Lorelai Nelson (Edina), and Mia Miller (Northfield).

Past winners of the award include current PWHL players such as Taylor Heise (2018), Peyton Hemp (2021), Olivia Mobley (2020), Grace Zumwinkle (2017), and Hannah Brandt (2012), and 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Krissy Wendell-Pohl.

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Minnesota

Bemidji declares March as Minnesota Food Share Month; hears Project Graduate report

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Bemidji declares March as Minnesota Food Share Month; hears Project Graduate report

BEMIDJI — The city of Bemidji declared March as Minnesota Food Share Month in partnership with the

Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign

during a

city council

meeting on Monday. This campaign is the largest grassroots food and fund drive in Minnesota.

“Food insecurity affects thousands of Minnesotans, including residents of Bemidji and the greater Beltrami County area, and access to nutritious food is fundamental to the health and dignity, and well-being of every community member,” the proclamation reads. “Local food shelves depend on the generosity of community donations to meet the growing needs of our neighbors, and every contribution — whether food, funds or time — makes a direct difference in the lives of Bemidji residents.

“The city of Bemidji proudly recognizes the extraordinary contributions of the volunteers, donors and partner organizations whose compassion and dedication ensure that no neighbor goes without, and the city of Bemidji is committed to fostering a compassionate and caring community where all residents are supported and encouraged to look out for one another in times of need.”

Ward 2 Councilor Josh Peterson read the proclamation as Mayor Jorge Prince attended the meeting virtually. Peterson attempted to award the proclamation to a Bemidji Community Food Shelf representative, but no one was available to receive it.

John Eggers,

a former educator, gave a presentation to the council regarding his Project Graduate initiative, which promotes 100% graduation rates within Beltrami County during Monday’s meeting.

“It’s not an easy task to do, but we can do it,” Eggers remarked.

Eggers shared personal efforts to promote a 100% graduation rate within Beltrami County, such as promoting graduation as a teacher at Red Lake High School recently. He hopes to do more work in Red Lake in the future.

Eggers also formed an alliance of local Bemidji businesses to promote Project Graduate. Each business will find a unique way to promote higher graduation rates while working with the alliance. Additionally, Eggers has spent the last several years forming an advocacy program that has now spread to 12 states and five countries worldwide.

He then shared ideas for the council to follow to promote the initiative. This included joining the alliance, displaying posters, “relentlessly” promoting high graduation rates, starting a PSA campaign, adding the initiative to the city’s website or newsletter and signing a proclamation.

He noted that in 2025, the city signed a proclamation and other Beltrami County cities followed suit, meaning Bemidji could once again set the trend to promote higher graduation rates.

Ward 1 Councilor Gwenia Fiskevold Gould asked how the initiative addresses underlying issues that affect

declining graduation rates

within Beltrami County, such as housing instability and food insecurity.

Eggers did not have a direct answer, but noted that graduation often helps young people climb out of bad situations. He believes that all people deal with adversity and that graduation is an important tool to help improve their quality of life.

He also pointed out that graduation rates among white students have remained steady when compared to statewide trends, but that students of color and Indigenous students’ graduation rates are lower than the state average, something that needs to be addressed to help these communities.

Finally, Eggers noted that the initiative’s drop-out prevention hotline was recently discontinued, but that students or parents can reach out to Eggers directly to receive the help needed to stay in school.

Overall, council members thanked Eggers for his Project Graduate presentation. His contact information can be found on his website,

johnrogereggers.com.

The council will next meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 16, at City Hall for a regular meeting. Meetings can be viewed on

the city’s website.

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