1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to taxation; estates; establishing a single exclusion amount for the 
1.3 	Minnesota taxable estate; establishing a single rate; eliminating the recapture tax; 
1.4 	making clarifying changes;amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 291.016, 
1.5 	subdivision 1; 291.03, subdivision 1; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 
1.6 	289A.10, subdivision 1a; 289A.12, subdivision 18; 289A.18, subdivision 3a; 
1.7 	289A.20, subdivision 3a; 291.016, subdivision 3; 291.03, subdivisions 8, 9, 10, 
1.8 	11.
1.9 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.10 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 291.016, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.11 		Subdivision 1.General. For purposes of the tax under this chapter, the Minnesota taxable 
1.12 	estate equals the federal taxable estate as provided under section 2051 of the Internal Revenue 
1.13 	Code, without regard to whether the estate is subject to the federal estate tax:
1.14 	(1) increased by the value of any property in which the decedent had a qualifying income 
1.15 	interest for life and for which an election was made under section 291.03, subdivision 1d, 
1.16 	for Minnesota estate tax purposes, but was not made for federal estate tax purposes; and
1.17 	(2) increased by the additions under subdivision 2; and
1.18 	(3) decreased by the subtraction under subdivision 3.

1.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively for estates of decedents 
1.20 	dying after December 31, 2016.

1.21 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 291.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.22 		Subdivision 1.Tax amount. The tax imposed must be computed by applying to the 
1.23 	Minnesota taxable estate the following schedule of rates and then the resulting amount 
2.1 	multiplied by a fraction, not greater than one, the numerator of which is the value of the 
2.2 	Minnesota gross estate plus the value of gifts under section 291.016, subdivision 2, clause 
2.3 	(3), with a Minnesota situs, and the denominator of which is the federal gross estate plus 
2.4 	the value of gifts under section 291.016, subdivision 2, clause (3):
2.5 	(a) For estates of decedents dying in 2014:

2.6	Amount of Minnesota Taxable Estate
	Rate of Tax
	
2.7	Not over $1,200,000
	None
	
2.8	Over $1,200,000 but not over $1,400,000
	nine percent of the excess over $1,200,000
	
2.92.10
	Over $1,400,000 but not over $3,600,000
	$18,000 plus ten percent of the excess over 
$1,400,000
	
2.112.12	Over $3,600,000 but not over $4,100,000
	$238,000 plus 10.4 percent of the excess over 
$3,600,000
	
2.132.14	Over $4,100,000 but not over $5,100,000
	$290,000 plus 11.2 percent of the excess over 
$4,100,000
	
2.152.16	Over $5,100,000 but not over $6,100,000
	$402,000 plus 12 percent of the excess over 
$5,100,000
	
2.172.18	Over $6,100,000 but not over $7,100,000
	$522,000 plus 12.8 percent of the excess over 
$6,100,000
	
2.192.20	Over $7,100,000 but not over $8,100,000
	$650,000 plus 13.6 percent of the excess over 
$7,100,000
	
2.212.22	Over $8,100,000 but not over $9,100,000
	$786,000 plus 14.4 percent of the excess over 
$8,100,000
	
2.232.24	Over $9,100,000 but not over $10,100,000
	$930,000 plus 15.2 percent of the excess over 
$9,100,000
	
2.252.26	Over $10,100,000
	$1,082,000 plus 16 percent of the excess over 
$10,100,000
	
2.27 	(b) For estates of decedents dying in 2015:

2.28	Amount of Minnesota Taxable Estate
	Rate of Tax
	
2.29	Not over $1,400,000
	None
	
2.30	Over $1,400,000 but not over $3,600,000
	ten percent of the excess over $1,400,000
	
2.312.32	Over $3,600,000 but not over $6,100,000
	$220,000 plus 12 percent of the excess over 
$3,600,000
	
2.332.34	Over $6,100,000 but not over $7,100,000
	$520,000 plus 12.8 percent of the excess over 
$6,100,000
	
2.352.36	Over $7,100,000 but not over $8,100,000
	$648,000 plus 13.6 percent of the excess over 
$7,100,000
	
2.372.38	Over $8,100,000 but not over $9,100,000
	$784,000 plus 14.4 percent of the excess over 
$8,100,000
	
2.392.40	Over $9,100,000 but not over $10,100,000
	$928,000 plus 15.2 percent of the excess over 
$9,100,000
	
2.412.42	Over $10,100,000
	$1,080,000 plus 16 percent of the excess over 
$10,100,000
	
2.43 	(c) For estates of decedents dying in 2016:

2.44	Amount of Minnesota Taxable Estate
	Rate of Tax
	
2.45	Not over $1,600,000
	None
	
3.1	Over $1,600,000 but not over $2,600,000
	ten percent of the excess over $1,600,000
	
3.23.3	Over $2,600,000 but not over $6,100,000
	$100,000 plus 12 percent of the excess over 
$2,600,000
	
3.43.5	Over $6,100,000 but not over $7,100,000
	$520,000 plus 12.8 percent of the excess over 
$6,100,000
	
3.63.7	Over $7,100,000 but not over $8,100,000
	$648,000 plus 13.6 percent of the excess over 
$7,100,000
	
3.83.9	Over $8,100,000 but not over $9,100,000
	$784,000 plus 14.4 percent of the excess over 
$8,100,000
	
3.103.11	Over $9,100,000 but not over $10,100,000
	$928,000 plus 15.2 percent of the excess over 
$9,100,000
	
3.123.13	Over $10,100,000
	$1,080,000 plus 16 percent of the excess over 
$10,100,000
	
3.14 	(d) For estates of decedents dying in 2017:

3.15	Amount of Minnesota Taxable Estate
	Rate of Tax
	
3.16	Not over $1,800,000 $5,000,000
	None
	
3.17
3.18	Over $1,800,000 but not over $2,100,000
$5,000,000
	ten percent of the excess over $1,800,000 16 
percent
	
3.193.20	Over $2,100,000 but not over $5,100,000
	$30,000 plus 12 percent of the excess over 
$2,100,000
	
3.213.22	Over $5,100,000 but not over $7,100,000
	$390,000 plus 12.8 percent of the excess over 
$5,100,000
	
3.233.24	Over $7,100,000 but not over $8,100,000
	$646,000 plus 13.6 percent of the excess over 
$7,100,000
	
3.253.26	Over $8,100,000 but not over $9,100,000
	$782,000 plus 14.4 percent of the excess over 
$8,100,000
	
3.273.28	Over $9,100,000 but not over $10,100,000
	$926,000 plus 15.2 percent of the excess over 
$9,100,000
	
3.293.30	Over $10,100,000
	$1,078,000 plus 16 percent of the excess over 
$10,100,000
	
3.31 	(e) For estates of decedents dying in 2018 and thereafter:

3.32	Amount of Minnesota Taxable Estate
	Rate of Tax
	
3.33	Not over $2,000,000
	None
	
3.34	Over $2,000,000 but not over $2,600,000
	ten percent of the excess over $2,000,000
	
3.353.36	Over $2,600,000 but not over $7,100,000
	$60,000 plus 13 percent of the excess over 
$2,600,000
	
3.373.38	Over $7,100,000 but not over $8,100,000
	$645,000 plus 13.6 percent of the excess over 
$7,100,000
	
3.393.40	Over $8,100,000 but not over $9,100,000
	$781,000 plus 14.4 percent of the excess over 
$8,100,000
	
3.413.42	Over $9,100,000 but not over $10,100,000
	$925,000 plus 15.2 percent of the excess over 
$9,100,000
	
3.433.44	Over $10,100,000
	$1,077,000 plus 16 percent of the excess over 
$10,100,000

3.45 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively for estates of decedents 
3.46 	dying after December 31, 2016.

4.1 	Sec. 3.  REPEALER.
 4.2 	Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 289A.10, subdivision 1a; 289A.12, subdivision 18; 
4.3 	289A.18, subdivision 3a; 289A.20, subdivision 3a; 291.016, subdivision 3; and 291.03, 
4.4 	subdivisions 8, 9, 10, and 11, are repealed.

4.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively for estates of decedents 
4.6 	dying after December 31, 2016.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 17-0714 

289A.10 FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR ESTATE TAX RETURNS.Subd. 1a.Recapture tax return required. 
If a disposition or cessation as provided by section 291.03, subdivision 11, paragraph (a), has occurred, the qualified heir, as defined under section 291.03, subdivision 8, paragraph (c), or personal representative of the decedent's estate must submit a recapture tax return to the commissioner. 

289A.12 FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR INFORMATION RETURNS AND REPORTS.Subd. 18.Returns by qualified heirs. 
A qualified heir, as defined in section 291.03, subdivision 8, paragraph (c), must file two returns with the commissioner attesting that no disposition or cessation as provided by section 291.03, subdivision 11, paragraph (a), occurred. The first return must be filed no earlier than 24 months and no later than 26 months after the decedent's death. The second return must be filed no earlier than 36 months and no later than 39 months after the decedent's death. 

289A.18 DUE DATES FOR FILING OF RETURNS.Subd. 3a.Recapture tax return. 
A recapture tax return must be filed with the commissioner within six months after the date of the disposition or cessation as provided by section 291.03, subdivision 11, paragraph (a). 

289A.20 DUE DATES FOR MAKING PAYMENTS OF TAX.Subd. 3a.Recapture tax. 
The additional estate tax imposed by section 291.03, subdivision 11, paragraph (b), is due and payable on or before the expiration of the date provided by section 291.03, subdivision 11, paragraph (c). 

291.016 MINNESOTA TAXABLE ESTATE.Subd. 3.Subtraction. 
The value of qualified small business property under section 291.03, subdivision 9, and the value of qualified farm property under section 291.03, subdivision 10, or the result of $5,000,000 minus the amount for the year of death listed in clauses (1) to (5), whichever is less, may be subtracted in computing the Minnesota taxable estate but must not reduce the Minnesota taxable estate to less than zero: 

(1) $1,200,000 for estates of decedents dying in 2014; 

(2) $1,400,000 for estates of decedents dying in 2015; 

(3) $1,600,000 for estates of decedents dying in 2016; 

(4) $1,800,000 for estates of decedents dying in 2017; and 

(5) $2,000,000 for estates of decedents dying in 2018 and thereafter. 

291.03 RATES.Subd. 8.Definitions. 
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given in this subdivision. 

(b) "Family member" means a family member as defined in section 2032A(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a trust whose present beneficiaries are all family members as defined in section 2032A(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

(c) "Qualified heir" means a family member who acquired qualified property upon the death of the decedent and satisfies the requirement under subdivision 9, clause (7), or subdivision 10, clause (5), for the property. 

(d) "Qualified property" means qualified small business property under subdivision 9 and qualified farm property under subdivision 10. 

Subd. 9.Qualified small business property. 
Property satisfying all of the following requirements is qualified small business property: 

(1) The value of the property was included in the federal adjusted taxable estate. 

(2) The property consists of the assets of a trade or business or shares of stock or other ownership interests in a corporation or other entity engaged in a trade or business. Shares of stock in a corporation or an ownership interest in another type of entity do not qualify under this subdivision if the shares or ownership interests are traded on a public stock exchange at any time during the three-year period ending on the decedent's date of death. For purposes of this subdivision, an ownership interest includes the interest the decedent is deemed to own under sections 2036, 2037, and 2038 of the Internal Revenue Code. 

(3) During the taxable year that ended before the decedent's death, the trade or business must not have been a passive activity within the meaning of section 469(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, and the decedent or the decedent's spouse must have materially participated in the trade or business within the meaning of section 469(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, excluding section 469(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and any other provision provided by United States Treasury Department regulation that substitutes material participation in prior taxable years for material participation in the taxable year that ended before the decedent's death. 

(4) The gross annual sales of the trade or business were $10,000,000 or less for the last taxable year that ended before the date of the death of the decedent. 

(5) The property does not consist of cash, cash equivalents, publicly traded securities, or assets not used in the operation of the trade or business. For property consisting of shares of stock or other ownership interests in an entity, the value of cash, cash equivalents, publicly traded securities, or assets not used in the operation of the trade or business held by the corporation or other entity must be deducted from the value of the property qualifying under this subdivision in proportion to the decedent's share of ownership of the entity on the date of death. 

(6) The decedent continuously owned the property, including property the decedent is deemed to own under sections 2036, 2037, and 2038 of the Internal Revenue Code, for the three-year period ending on the date of death of the decedent. In the case of a sole proprietor, if the property replaced similar property within the three-year period, the replacement property will be treated as having been owned for the three-year period ending on the date of death of the decedent. 

(7) For three years following the date of death of the decedent, the trade or business is not a passive activity within the meaning of section 469(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, and a family member materially participates in the operation of the trade or business within the meaning of section 469(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, excluding section 469(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and any other provision provided by United States Treasury Department regulation that substitutes material participation in prior taxable years for material participation in the three years following the date of death of the decedent. 

(8) The estate and the qualified heir elect to treat the property as qualified small business property and agree, in the form prescribed by the commissioner, to pay the recapture tax under subdivision 11, if applicable. 

Subd. 10.Qualified farm property. 
Property satisfying all of the following requirements is qualified farm property: 

(1) The value of the property was included in the federal adjusted taxable estate. 

(2) The property consists of agricultural land and is owned by a person or entity that is either not subject to or is in compliance with section 500.24. 

(3) For property taxes payable in the taxable year of the decedent's death, the property is classified as class 2a property under section 273.13, subdivision 23, and is classified as agricultural homestead, agricultural relative homestead, or special agricultural homestead under section 273.124. 

(4) The decedent continuously owned the property, including property the decedent is deemed to own under sections 2036, 2037, and 2038 of the Internal Revenue Code, for the three-year period ending on the date of death of the decedent either by ownership of the agricultural land or pursuant to holding an interest in an entity that is not subject to or is in compliance with section 500.24. 

(5) The property is classified for property tax purposes as class 2a property under section 273.13, subdivision 23, for three years following the date of death of the decedent. 

(6) The estate and the qualified heir elect to treat the property as qualified farm property and agree, in a form prescribed by the commissioner, to pay the recapture tax under subdivision 11, if applicable. 

Subd. 11.Recapture tax. 
(a) If, within three years after the decedent's death and before the death of the qualified heir, the qualified heir disposes of any interest in the qualified property, other than by a disposition to a family member, or a family member ceases to satisfy the requirement under subdivision 9, clause (7); or 10, clause (5), an additional estate tax is imposed on the property. In the case of a sole proprietor, if the qualified heir replaces qualified small business property excluded under subdivision 9 with similar property, then the qualified heir will not be treated as having disposed of an interest in the qualified property. 

(b) The amount of the additional tax equals the amount of the exclusion claimed by the estate under subdivision 8, paragraph (d), multiplied by 16 percent. 

(c) The additional tax under this subdivision is due on the day which is six months after the date of the disposition or cessation in paragraph (a).