Experts: Filing Taxes In Minnesota Could Be More Complicated Than Usual

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Filing your taxes in Minnesota could be more complicated than usual in 2019.

After the federal tax overhaul bill was passed in 2017, the governor vetoed a measure that would adopt the same changes.

Accountant Kyle Spicer says it's going to be a messy tax season.

"I think it's going to be really tricky for someone doing it on their own," Spicer said.

Spicer and two other certified public accountants we spoke with say the people who are most at risk for losing out on money they are due are those who have itemized in the past.

Here are key components taxpayers should consider. If you have itemized in the past for charitable contributions, unreimbursed work expenses, mortgage interest and real estate taxes, you may no longer be able to do that on the federal side, but you still can on the state side – and there could be big dollars at stake.

RELATED: 2018 Minnesota Tax Returns Will Be A Bigger Pain Than Usual

"It could be hundreds to thousands of dollars on the state side depending on where your contributions are at and unreimbursed work expenses and high investment fees are a few," Spicer said.

For Minnesota residents who want to continue to file on their own electronically, the Minnesota Department of Revenue says it has been working with more than 20 popular software companies that individuals can purchase. In the past, certified software has included products for individual filers from Turbo Tax and H&R Block.

"We have been working with software vendors since August to make sure they know the difference between Minnesota and federal law," said Cynthia Bauerly, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Revenue. "I have been confident that the vendors we certify for use in Minnesota will have their systems up and working."

Changing Minnesota's state tax laws is expected to come up in the 2019 legislative session.

The Department of Revenue says it will post those commercial vendors that they have certified for filing for tax year 2018 on its website in time for tax filing season.

Bauerly says she is confident any software that gets posted will be able to handle the discrepancies in state and federal tax law.

"We must take a thoughtful approach that provides Minnesotans with a clear, transparent, and fair tax system," Gov.-elect Tim Walz said in a statement.

For more information about what to expect when filing your taxes, visit the Department of Revenue's website.