Beginning July 1, 2009, the Minnesota sales and use tax rate will increase from 6.5% to 6.875%. In the November 2008 general election, voters approved a constitutional amendment to increase the tax rate to protect various environmental issues. Sales tax rate charts on the Minnesota Department of Revenue Web site will be updated to reflect this increase. For our previous news item on this topic, click here. (General Sales and Use Tax Rate Increases to 6.875%, Minnesota Department of Revenue, April 2009)