Minnesota property tax refunds typically arrive between May and July, though the exact timing depends on whether you filed a homestead property tax refund claim and how the state processes your return

If you own your home in Minnesota and your household income falls below certain limits, you may receive a homestead property tax refund — money the state sends back to offset property taxes you paid. The refund is not automatic. You have to file a claim on your Minnesota tax return, and the state processes these claims in batches rather than one at a time.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue begins sending refunds in May each year. Most people who filed correctly receive their money by the end of June. Some refunds arrive as late as July, particularly if your return needed review or if you filed late. If you have not received your refund by early August, that is when you should contact the state to check on it.

Key Takeaways

  • Homestead property tax refunds are mailed starting in May 2024, with most arriving by the end of June.
  • You must file a homestead property tax refund claim on your Minnesota state tax return — the refund does not happen automatically.
  • Refunds arrive slower if your return was filed late, contained errors, or required the state to verify your information.
  • If your refund has not arrived by early August, contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue to find out where it is in the queue.

Who receives a homestead property tax refund

A homestead property tax refund is available to Minnesota homeowners whose household income is below a threshold set by the state each year. The income limit changes annually. For the 2023 tax year (which you file in 2024), the limit was around $89,000 for most households, though it is higher for elderly or disabled homeowners.

You must own and occupy the home as your primary residence on December 31 of the year you are claiming the refund for. Renters do not receive this refund — they may be able to claim a different benefit called the renter property tax refund, which works similarly but is based on rent paid rather than property taxes.

The refund amount depends on your property taxes, your household income, and your household size. Lower-income households with higher property taxes receive larger refunds. The state publishes a table each year showing the maximum refund for different income levels, but your actual refund is calculated based on your specific situation.

How to claim the refund on your tax return

To claim a homestead property tax refund, you file Minnesota Form M1-PR along with your state income tax return. This form asks for your property taxes paid during the year, your household income, and information about who lives in your home.

If you file your Minnesota return electronically through tax software or a tax preparer, the software usually includes the homestead refund form as part of the standard return. You do not have to request it separately. If you file on paper, you can read Form M1-PR from the Minnesota Department of Revenue website or request it by mail.

The important date to file your Minnesota return and claim the refund is the same as the federal important date — typically April 15, though it shifts slightly if that date falls on a weekend or holiday. If you file after the important date, your refund will arrive later in the season, if at all.

Timeline for when refunds actually arrive

The Minnesota Department of Revenue processes homestead refund claims in batches starting in May. The state does not send refunds on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, it groups returns by processing date and mails batches of refunds together.

Most refunds are mailed by the end of June. However, some arrive in July if your return required additional review — for example, if the income or property tax figures did not match what the state had on file, or if you filed an amended return. Refunds sent by mail typically take 5 to 10 business days to arrive after they are mailed, depending on postal service speed in your area.

If you filed your return very late — in April or even May — expect your refund to arrive in July or later. The state prioritizes returns filed by the April important date.

What slows down your refund

Several things can delay a homestead property tax refund. The most common is an error or mismatch on your return. If the property taxes you reported do not match the amount the county assessor has on file, the state will hold your return for review. This can add two to four weeks to the processing time.

Filing an amended return — either because you made a mistake or because you received additional income information late — also delays your refund. Amended returns are processed after original returns, so your refund arrives later in the season.

If you claimed the refund but your household income actually exceeds the limit, the state may deny the refund entirely or reduce it. This also takes time to process, and you will receive a notice explaining the decision.

How to check on your refund status

The Minnesota Department of Revenue does not offer an online tool to track individual homestead refund status the way the IRS lets you track federal refunds. Instead, you can contact the department directly by phone or mail to ask about your refund.

Call the Minnesota Department of Revenue at 651-296-3781 or 1-800-657-3769. Have your Social Security number and the year you are asking about ready. The department can tell you whether your return has been processed and whether your refund has been mailed.

If you filed your return by April 15 and it is now August, and you have not received your refund, that is the right time to call. Before August, the state is still processing returns in the normal batch cycle, and a call may not speed things up.

Refunds sent by check versus direct deposit

Homestead property tax refunds are sent by check mailed to your address on file with the state. You cannot request direct deposit for this refund the way you can for your income tax refund.

If you moved since you filed your return, the check may be delayed or sent to your old address. If you think this happened, contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue with your new address so they can reissue the check.

Checks do not expire, so if yours arrives late or you find it months later, you can still cash it. However, if you lose the check or it is damaged, you will need to contact the state to request a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my refund faster if I file early?

Filing early helps slightly — returns filed in February or March are processed before those filed in April. However, the state still processes refunds in batches, so filing in January versus March may only move your refund up by a week or two. Filing on time (by April 15) is what matters most.

What if I did not file a homestead refund claim last year?

You can file an amended return for the previous year to claim a refund you missed, but there are time limits. Generally, you have three years to file an amended return and claim a refund. Contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue or a tax preparer to file the amended form.

Do I have to report the refund as income on my federal return?

No. The homestead property tax refund is not taxable income for federal purposes. You do not report it on your federal return, and it does not affect your federal tax liability.

What if my property taxes changed after I filed my return?

If you filed your return based on estimated property taxes and the actual amount was different, you can file an amended Minnesota return to correct it. The amended return will recalculate your refund based on the correct property tax amount. File the amendment as soon as you know the correct figure.

Can renters get a homestead property tax refund?

No, but renters in Minnesota can claim a renter property tax refund instead. It works the same way — you file a claim on your state return — but it is based on rent paid rather than property taxes. The income limits and processing timeline are similar.