Individual income tax filing season opens January 23, 2017

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue will open state individual income tax filing season on January 23, 2017. For the benefit and convenience of Minnesotans, this is the same day as the Internal Revenue Service.

The filing deadline to submit 2016 tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2017, rather than the traditional April 15 date. This is also the same day as the Internal Revenue Service.

Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly reminds taxpayers that filing electronically and choosing direct deposit helps improve the accuracy and security of your return.

“Protecting Minnesotan’s refunds and ensuring the right refund amount goes to the right person is our top priority,” said Bauerly. “Minnesotans can help by filing electronically and using direct deposit, which is the most secure and effective way to receive your refund.”

Electronic Filing and Direct Deposit Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is the most secure way to get your refund. Last year, over 2 million Minnesota taxpayers used electronic software to file their taxes. Visit the website to learn more about your electronic filing and free filing options for those who qualify.

Direct deposit is an easy and convenient way to get your refund. You can include your banking information on your tax return and get your refund deposited into your bank account. Direct deposit is available to you whether you file your return electronically or by mail. Check out the website to learn more about the benefits of choosing direct deposit.

Voter Registration Minnesota law requires that individual income tax return forms and instruction booklets include voter registration forms. This year, taxpayers using Minnesota-certified electronic filing software will see a new message prompting eligible voters to register to vote online at the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

Fraud Prevention The department takes protecting your personal information and your tax refund very seriously. We work to combat identify theft-related tax fraud by taking the time necessary to review and verify the information on all tax returns to make sure the right refund goes to the right person.

Protecting Minnesotan’s personal information means that refunds may take longer than in prior years because of the increase in attempted refund fraud. Don’t spend your refund until you see the money in your bank account.

Visit the website to learn more about our efforts to protect your information.

Track Your Refund You are able to track where your refund is in the process by using our Where’s My Refund? system.

You will be able to track which of the four stages your refund is in and whether you need to take any action to allow us to complete the processing of your refund. You will see the date your refund was issued when it is finished processing. View the video to learn more about Where’s My Refund?.

Free Tax Help You may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers at locations across Minnesota for your federal and state income tax returns. Qualified taxpayers are age 60 or older, have a disability, speak limited or no English, or have income less than $54,000 per year.

Most free tax preparation sites are open Feb. 1 - April 15. Visit our website to find free tax preparation sites near you

Ice fishing shelter removal dates approaching

Deadlines for removing fish houses, dark houses and portable shelters from state waterways are rapidly approaching, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
 
Dates of removal are determined by an east-west line formed by U.S. Highway 10, east along Highway 34 to Minnesota Hwy. 200, east along Highway 200 to U.S. Highway 2, and east along Highway 2 to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.
 
Shelters located south of this line must be removed by the end of the day on Monday, March 7.
 
Shelters located north of this line must be removed by the end of the day on Monday, March 21.
 
Exceptions are Minnesota-Canada border waters (March 31), Minnesota-Iowa border waters (Feb. 20), Minnesota-South Dakota and North Dakota border waters (March 5), and Minnesota-Wisconsin border waters (March 1).

“Anglers with permanent houses on the lakes should be reminded that the removal date for those shelters is approaching along with warmer temperatures,” said Conservation Officer (CO) Tony Salzer of Ham Lake.
“Please remove your ice shelters early if ice conditions begin to deteriorate,” he added.

CO Luke Gutzwiller of Madison had this advice: “Please remember to pick up your trash when leaving the lake.”
DNR officials said if shelters are not removed, owners will be prosecuted and structures may be confiscated and removed, or destroyed by a conservation officer.
After removal dates, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied. Storing or leaving shelters on a public access is prohibited.
 
The DNR’s Enforcement Division Director Col. Rodmen Smith recommended checking ice thickness with an auger or spud bar before venturing onto a frozen pond, lake or river.
 
Smith said ice conditions can vary greatly, and anglers should know about the different types and characteristics of ice. Slush shows weakening of ice and should be considered a danger sign. If ice at the shoreline is cracked or squishy, people should stay off. People should not go on the ice during thaws. Honeycombed ice, dark snow and dark ice should be avoided. Ice is generally thinner where there is moving water, such as near inlets and outlets, bridge abutments, islands and other objects that protrude through the ice.
 
According to information from the DNR Boat and Water Safety Unit, a minimum of 4 inches of new, clear ice is necessary for ice fishing; snowmobiling or ATV activity requires at least 5 inches; 8 to 12 inches are needed to support a car or small pickup; 12-15 inches are need for a medium truck.

Individual income tax filing season opens January 19, 2016

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced it will open state individual income tax filing season on January 19, 2016.  For the benefit and convenience of Minnesotans, this is the same day as the Internal Revenue Service.

The filing deadline to submit 2015 tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2016, rather than the traditional April 15 date. This is also the same day as the Internal Revenue Service.
As the filing season nears, Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly wants to remind taxpayers that filing electronically helps improve the accuracy of your return and choosing direct deposit is the safest and fastest way to receive your refund.

“Making sure the right refund amount goes to the right person is our top priority,” said Bauerly. “Minnesotans can help by using electronic filing and direct deposit, which is the most secure and effective way to get your refund.”

Electronic Filing and Direct Deposit
Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is the most secure way to get your refund. Last year, over 2 million Minnesota taxpayers used electronic software to file their taxes.

Direct deposit is an easy and convenient way to get your refund. You can put your banking information on your tax return and get your refund deposited into your bank account and not have to worry about receiving your refund check in the mail. Direct deposit is available to you whether you file your return electronically or by mail. 

Fraud Prevention
The department takes protecting your personal information and your tax refund very seriously. We work to combat identify theft-related tax fraud by taking the time necessary to review and verify the information on all tax returns to make sure the right refund goes to the right person.

Track Your Refund
This tax season you will be able to track where your refund is in the process by using our improved Where’s My Refund? system.

Our improved system will help you learn where your refund is in the process. You will be able to track which of the four stages your refund is in and whether you need to take any action to allow us to complete the processing of your refund. You will see the date your refund was issued when it is finished processing.

Free Tax Help

You may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers at locations across Minnesota for your federal and state income tax returns. Qualified taxpayers are age 60 or older, disabled, speak limited or no English, or have income less than $54,000 per year.

Most free tax preparation sites are open Feb. 1 - April 15. Visit www.revenue.state.mn.us  to find free tax preparation sites near you. 

Reminder: Spring wild turkey permit application deadline is Friday

The deadline to apply for early season spring wild turkey hunting permits is Friday, Jan. 9, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The spring season, which runs from April 15 to May 28, is divided into eight time periods. Only people age 18 and older who want to hunt during the first three time periods (A-C) need to apply for a spring turkey permit. Permits for the remaining time periods (D-H) can be purchased over-the-counter.

Permits for the last five time periods and youth licenses for any time period are sold over-the-counter starting March 1. Surplus adult licenses from the first three time periods, if available, are sold starting around mid-March.

For more information, see www.mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey.

Bear hunt application deadline is Friday, May 2

The deadline to apply for a Minnesota bear hunting license is Friday, May 2.

Licenses are available at any Minnesota Department of Natural Resources license agent, online at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense and by telephone at 888-665-4236 at a cost of $44 for residents and $250 for nonresidents.

The season opens Monday, Sept. 1, and closes Sunday, Oct. 12. The deadline to purchase licenses awarded by lottery will be Thursday, Aug. 1. Remaining unpurchased licenses will be available to anyone eligible starting at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

An unlimited number of bear licenses will be sold over-the-counter for no-quota areas in east-central and far northwestern Minnesota. No-quota licenses are valid only in a no-quota area. Hunters with a no-quota license can harvest one bear. Information on the fall bear hunt is available on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/bear.

Deadline for firearm, muzzleloader deer lottery applications

Deer hunters who use a firearm or muzzleloader in a lottery area and want to harvest an antlerless deer must apply for an either-sex permit by the Thursday, Sept. 5, deadline established by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Deadlines for firearm and muzzleloader special hunts also are Sept. 5.

Lottery either-sex permits
Hunters can apply for lottery deer areas using both their firearm and muzzleloader licenses.  Although a hunter can be selected for both licenses, successful applicants still can only take one deer.

2013 lottery deer areas are 101, 103, 105, 108, 110, 111, 118, 119, 122, 169, 171, 172, 176, 183, 184, 197, 199, 234, 237, 238, 250, 251, 252, 253, 260, 261, 262, 263, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 288, 289, 290, 291, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298 and 299.

In lottery deer areas, firearms and muzzleloader hunters may only harvest a buck if they apply for and receive an either-sex permit, which allows them to harvest an antlerless deer.

Firearm and muzzleloader special hunts
For special hunts, a person may draw both a firearm and muzzleloader permit, in which case they must adhere to the bag limits established by each special hunt. Information on 2013 special hunts is available online at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/deer.

All lottery winners will receive permits via U.S. mail. Hunters may apply for an either-sex permit through any DNR license agent, online at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense, or by calling toll-free 888-665-4236.

Changes to deer application and registration for 2013
Hunters are advised by the DNR to review the DNR’s hunting regulations handbook for new 2013 season information.
 
“Regulations, and many of our management designations, are quite similar to 2012,” said Leslie McInenly, DNR big game program leader. “However, there are a few application and registration changes that folks will notice right away.”

This year the DNR will be asking all deer license buyers, including archery hunters, to indicate the deer area they hunt most often.

“While hunters are not obligated to stay in the indicated area, the information helps the DNR assess hunter success,” McInenly said. “Our data indicate that most hunters kill a deer in the area they hunt most often.”
 
Hunters also should be aware that deer must be registered within 48 hours after harvest and before processing. Telephone and internet registration has been expanded to include series 300 permit areas.  

Application deadline approaching for 2013 Camp Ripley archery hunts

Hunters interested in the 2013 regular archery deer hunts at Camp Ripley near Little Falls are reminded that this year’s Aug. 16 application deadline is fast approaching, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

Because of military training needs, the dates for this year’s hunts are being held about a week later than usual.

Hunters may pick from only one of two hunting seasons, Oct. 26-27 (Sat.-Sun., code 668) or
Nov. 2-3 (Sat.-Sun., code 669). A total of 5,000 permits, 2,500 per two-day hunt, will be made available. Successful applicants must purchase a valid archery license at least two days before their hunt to participate. The bag limit is two, and bonus permits may be used to take antlerless deer. Rules and instructions for this year’s hunt can be found on DNR’s deer hunting Web page.

Hunters may choose from four options to apply for the Camp Ripley archery hunts:

• Through the DNR’s computerized electronic licensing system (ELS) at any one of 1,500 ELS agents located throughout Minnesota.
• By telephone at 888-665-4236.
• Through the DNR’s Internet licensing link at www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/index.html.
• At the DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul.

The application fee for the hunt is $12 per applicant. Those who apply by phone or Internet will be charged an additional convenience fee of 3 percent ($0.36) per transaction.

To apply, resident hunters 21 and older must provide a valid state driver’s license or public safety identification number. Residents under 21 may also provide a DNR firearms safety training number to apply. Nonresident hunters must apply using a valid driver’s license number, public safety identification number, or MDNR customer number from a recent Minnesota hunting or fishing license.

All applicants must be at least 10 years old prior to the hunt they apply for. In addition, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1980, must have a firearms safety certificate or other evidence of successfully completing a hunter safety course to obtain a license to hunt or trap in Minnesota.
Hunters may apply as individuals or as a group, up to four individuals. Group members may only apply for the same two-day season. The first group applicant must specify “Create New Group” when asked, and will receive a group number. Subsequent group applicants must specify they want to “Join an Existing Group” and must use the same group number supplied to the first group applicant.
         
The archery hunt at Camp Ripley is an annual event. The DNR coordinates the hunt with the Department of Military Affairs, which manages the 53,000-acre military reservation

Voter Pre-Registration Deadline is October 16

ST. PAUL, Minn.—October 3, 2012 –Secretary of State Mark Ritchie today reminded eligible Minnesota voters that the deadline to pre-register to vote in the upcoming general election is Tuesday, October 16.

“Minnesota voters can register at their polling place on Election Day, but pre-registering will save you time when you go vote on November 6,” Secretary Ritchie said.

State law requires Minnesotans to be registered at their current address before they are allowed to vote. Registrations remain current until voters move or change their names. Voters must re-register if they have not voted in the last four years.

Minnesotans may pre-register to vote by completing a voter registration application and submitting it to their county auditor's office or the Office of the Secretary of State. Applications are available online at www.mnvotes.org or at county government offices and public libraries.

Those who register prior to the deadline will appear in the roster at their polling place and will not have to provide additional documentation at the polling place on Election Day.  Minnesota allows eligible voters to register on Election Day as long as they provide proper proof of residence. For more information about voting eligibility requirements, visit www.mnvotes.org.

Voters can use the office’s online Voter Registration Lookup at www.mnvotes.org to quickly learn whether they are registered at their current address. This online tool will let voters know whether their polling place has changed due to redistricting and provide additional information such as how to register, the dates of the next election and a list of candidates.

Arts Council Grant Deadlines

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council has many grant deadlines coming up! Almost all the programs have deadlines in October and November.

Grant programs with an October 15 deadline:

• Individual Artist Fellowship Grants of $1,500 and $4,000
• Student Artist Training Mentor Grants of $500 (high school)

Individual Artist Fellowship grants are a great way to advance some of your long term goals as an adult visual artist, performing artist or writer. Have you always wanted to improve your equipment in your studio? Do you struggle to afford a workshop in Minneapolis that you know is important? Would you benefit from working with an artistic mentor? How would you use $1,500? How would you use $4,000? Why you? Why now? Are you ready to use a year to focus on strengthening yourself while moving toward your artistic goal?

If this sounds interesting, come learn more about applying! Attend one of the upcoming informational sessions on all our grants. These sessions are over lunch so bring your own bag lunch. Want a bag lunch info session in your town, just request one and I will come!

• Tuesday, September 27 bring bag lunch at noon to Thief River Falls Public Library
• Friday, September 30 bring bag lunch at noon to East Grand Forks Publ ic Library
• Tuesday, October 4 bring bag lunch at noon to Roseau Public Library meeting room
•Wednesday, October 5 bring bag lunch at noon to Hallock City Hall conference room

On Sunday, September 25th at 2:00 pm at the Crookston Public Library, we will be holding a special information session to talk about our fellowship grant program; and hear from artists regarding whether they would be interested in creating a retail store for artists in East Grand Forks. This is a great opportunity so please attend to hear more.

Apply by October 15, 2011 for our $500.00 Student Artist Training Mentor Grant! This grant is for high school students interested in attending a workshop in their artform or working one-on-one during lessons with an adult mentor. The difference between being in a mentorship versus taking lessons is that the mentor gives a more indepth experience to the student, focusing on building technique as well as life experience in the arts. Parents are encouraged to attend one of the lunch info sessions listed above or call Mara at 218-745-9111 for more information.

Grant programs with a November 1 deadline:
• Arts Legacy Grants up to $10,000
• Arts Project Grants up to $3,000
• Artist in the Schools Grants up to $3,000

More grant related announcements, previously awarded grant lists, and grant applications are available on our website. Our grants serve the Minnesota counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.