Republican Tom Emmer is proposing a plan that would eliminate income taxes on some tipped wages. The gubernatorial hopeful is making the proposal one week after he suggested Minnesota a so-called tip credit, which allows businesses to pay workers less than the minimum wage if they earn tips. Emmer now says he wants to exempt from taxes the first $20,000 in tips that waiters and employees collect.
The Emmer campaign says the proposal will cost the state an additional $17 million. But a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Revenue couldn't say how much Emmer's plan would cost the state since employees report both wages and tips together on the tax forms.
The feature examines statements made by Minnesota politicians and checks them for accuracy. Based on data analysis, document reviews and interviews with non-partisan analysts, statements are rated either true, false or inconclusive. PoliGraph is a collaboration between Minnesota Public Radio News and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
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