Minnesota's Political
Contribution Refund Program
Minnesota's Political Contribution Refund
Program has been around since 1990, yet it remains largely unknown.
This FAQ attempts to answer common questions about this refund
program.
What is the Political
Contribution Refund (PCR) Program?
The program itself is for real: Minnesotans can give up
to $50 per person/$100 per married couple to a political
party or candidate for state office and get a full refund
from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
Which candidates are
eligible for the PCR program?
- Candidates for state offices who agree to abide by state
spending limits qualify. Examples include Governor, Attorney
General, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, State Representative,
and State Senator candidates.
- Political Parties themselves, such as the Republican Party
of Minnesota or the Senate District 42 Republicans, also
are eligible for the PCR program.
- The following donations DO NOT QUALIFY: US
Congress, US Senator, US President, local city council, county
commissioner, school board, other Federal or Local office
candidates, and state candidates who do not abide by spending
limits.
How does it work?
The party or candidate sends you a receipt for the amount
of your contribution. You fill out a PCR form, mail that
form and your receipt to the Department of Revenue along
with and they write you a check for your contribution amount
up to $50 per individual or $100 per married couple.
Click
here for a PCR form
You may file only once per year, and you do not have to
file at the same time you file your state income taxes. You
must file, however, by April 15th of the year following your
contribution.
What's
the point?
There are at least three reasons for the program:
- By restricting the program to candidates who agree to abide
by spending limits, the Legislature has added some teeth
to those spending limit laws.
- The program purports to make candidates less dependent
on large dollar contributions.
- More people contribute, and hence participate in the political
process, if their financial obligation is zero.
I don't believe you. How
can I verify this?
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