HF364 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Interest rate charged on confessions of judgements for homestead property modified.
Related bill: SF308
AI Generated Summary
This bill, authored by Altendorf, proposes modifications to the state of Minnesota's existing taxation laws specific to homestead property (primary residences). Specifically, it seeks to adjust the interest rates charged on confessed judgments related to these properties. A confessed judgment is a legal process where a property owner admits liability for delinquent taxes and agrees to pay them according to a set plan without further litigation.
Key points of the proposed changes include:
Interest Rate Adjustments: The bill sets the interest rate for confessed judgments each year to either five percent or two percent above the prime rate (average rate offered by banks to prime customers), whichever is higher, without exceeding a specified maximum. This rate applies to installment payments on the confessed judgments.
Procedure for Confession of Judgment: Property owners who opt for confession of judgment need to offer to pay a portion of the total due taxes (one-tenth along with all current taxes) upfront, agreeing to settle the remaining amount in equal annual installments with interest.
Interest Rate Determination: The Commissioner of Revenue is responsible for setting the interest rate and must announce it by October 15 each year, ensuring it goes into effect from January 1 of the following year.
Fixed Interest Rate: Once a judgment is confessed, the interest rate is fixed for its duration, providing some predictability in financial planning for the property owner.
Eligibility and Documentation: Property owners looking to enter another confession of judgment can do so under these revised rates, although specific types of repurchase agreements are excluded from this provision.
In essence, this legislation aims to streamline the financial implications for homeowners dealing with delinquent property taxes, offering a structured and potentially less burdensome way to manage tax debts through predefined interest rates and installment payments.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
February 12, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Taxes |
Citations
[ { "analysis": { "added": [ "A provision to set the interest rate for certain properties based on the prime rate." ], "removed": [], "summary": "This bill modifies the interest rate charged on confessions of judgments for homestead property under section 279.37.", "modified": [ "Adjusts how the interest rate is determined and fixed for the duration of the judgment." ] }, "citation": "279.37" }, { "analysis": { "added": [], "removed": [], "summary": "Refers to the interest provision that is adjusted for the confessions of judgment modifications.", "modified": [ "Specifies the interest rate applicable when a default on payments occurs." ] }, "citation": "279.03" }, { "analysis": { "added": [], "removed": [], "summary": "Property repurchase agreements under section 282.261 are mentioned as ineligible for the new interest rate.", "modified": [ "Clarifies eligibility for interest rates concerning repurchase agreements." ] }, "citation": "282.261" } ]