Update on line B of the 2019 Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP)

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has noticed a pattern on some completed 2019 Certificates of Rent Paid (CRPs). Some CRPs may have been completed with a mistaken amount on line B.

 

The amount added to line B of the CRP is only for assistance from Minnesota’s Housing Support program (formerly known as Group Residential Housing or GRH) paid directly to the landlord on your client’s behalf. Minnesota’s Housing Support program pays room and board for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities. We are noticing other forms of housing support, such as Section 8, are being added to line B in error.

 

What do I need to do?

If line B is checked “Yes” or reports an amount, ask your client the following questions:

1. Have you ever previously received Group Residential Housing (GRH) payments?
2. Do you receive Section 8 or other types of rental assistance?
3. What types of housing assistance did you or your landlord receive in 2019, if any?

How do I accurately file my client’s return?

Determine if the line B amount is correct based on your client’s answers to the questions above.

• If line B only includes payments from Minnesota’s Housing Support program, use the line B amount from the CRP to prepare the Renter’s Property Tax Refund return.
• If line B includes payments from other assistance programs:

1. Subtract the amount of other assistance from the line B amount.
2. If the remaining amount is zero, do not complete the Worksheet for Line 18.
3. If the remaining amount is more than zero, complete the Worksheet for Line 18.
4. Complete the Renter’s Property Tax Refund return for your client with the correct information.

 

What happens after filing my client’s return?

If you changed the amount of line B of the CRP, provide your client with our two handouts attached. Your client should keep the note titled “Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) Line B Correction – for Renters” and provide the other note to their landlord.

 

Explain that you filed and submitted your clients’ return based on the information they provided, but they should give the landlord note to their landlord and ask for a corrected 2019 CRP.  If the landlord provides your client a corrected CRP, advise your client to keep it for their records.

 

My client already filed their return, what should I do?

Give them a copy of the two handouts attached. Instruct your client to keep the one titled “Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) Line B Correction – for Renters” and provide the other handout to their landlord. They should not file an amended return. We may contact your client if we need more information.

 

What if I have questions?
Call us at 651-296-3781 or 1-800-652-9094 (toll-free), or email individual.incometax@state.mn.us.

• CRP Line B Correction - for Landlords.pdf
• Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) Line B Correction - For Renters.pdf