Lt. Gov.: New MN Child Tax Credit Could Reduce Childhood Poverty Rate

February 8, 2024

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, Minn. — A new Minnesota child tax credit could help as many as 300,000 families, including 513,000 children, according to the Governor’s Office.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan was in Duluth Thursday to encourage everyone to complete the new child tax credit form. She said if everyone eligible for the tax credit files, the childhood poverty rate in the state would be reduced by one-third.

The form to determine eligibility is just one page. Flanagan and Gov. Walz are traveling the state encouraging all Minnesotans to complete the form to determine if they are eligible for the credit. The maximum tax credit for each child is $1,750, and there is no limit on the number of children who are eligible.

In Duluth, Flanagan was accompanied by tribal leaders from the area who were also urging their members to complete the form. Chairman Kevin DuPuis of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa said, “For the tax credit, yeah, I think it’s a very exciting time for people to take a look at this. We’re at about $400 million. That’s a lot going back into the economy. It’s definitely going to help out the immediate family. It’s definitely going to give them the opportunity to do different things that they haven’t had the chance to do before.”

The news conference took place at Community Action Duluth, an organization that has programs and services to help individuals and families with low incomes. The site is just one of 170 sites across the state where people can receive free tax assistance.

“There are so many people, like the good folks here at Community Action Duluth, who are helping you to fill out your taxes,” Flanagan said. “They have opportunities for people to walk in. They have opportunities to make an appointment and there’s so many people that want to help you with these resources.”

So far this tax season, which began less than two weeks ago, 89,000 Minnesota families have already qualified for the tax credit and have received an average of $1,373.