Marriage Credit

To qualify for the 2021 credit, all of these must be true:

• You are married and filing a joint return
• You and your spouse have taxable earned income, taxable pensions, or taxable Social Security income
• Your joint taxable income is at least $40,000
• The income of the lesser-earning spouse is at least $26,000
  If you or your spouse is a part-year resident or nonresident, you may claim this credit based on the percentage of Minnesota income from Schedule M1NR, Nonresidents/Part-Year Residents.

Note: Before claiming this credit for tax year 2018, review the 2018 Schedule M1NC, Federal Adjustments, and determine if you must file this schedule. For details, go to Federal Adjustments.

Complete Schedule M1MA, Marriage Credit, to claim this credit and determine your amount. Include Schedule M1MA when filing Form M1, Individual Income Tax.

You must include any earned income taxable in Minnesota, including taxable portions of your pensions, annuities, Social Security income, and IRA distributions. Include only earned income that is included in your Minnesota taxable income and meets the IRS’s definition of earned income. 

These types of income are not eligible for the Marriage Credit:

• Voluntary salary deferrals such as 401(k) or similar contributions
• Unemployment compensation benefits
• Interest and dividends
• Alimony and child support
• Nontaxable combat zone pay
• Basic and in-kind quarters and subsistence allowances for the U.S. military
• Meals or lodging provided by an employer for the employer's convenience
• Housing allowance or rental value of a parsonage for clergy
• Nontaxable dependent care benefits
• Voluntary salary reductions, such as those taken under a cafeteria plan
• Railroad Retirement Board benefits
• Rental income
• Taxable scholarship or fellowship grants not reported on Form W-2
• Welfare benefits or workfare payments
• Workers’ compensation
• Veterans benefits, including VA rehabilitation payments
• Earnings for work performed while an inmate at a penal institution

For more information, review Minnesota Statute 290.0675.