Minnesota property tax refunds arrive between July and September 2024, depending on your county and whether you filed a homestead property tax refund claim

If you own a home in Minnesota and paid property taxes in 2023, you may be due a refund through the homestead property tax refund program. The state processes these refunds in waves throughout the summer and early fall. Most refunds land in bank accounts or arrive by check between mid-July and late September, though the exact timing depends on which county you live in and whether you submitted a claim form.

You do not automatically receive this refund. Minnesota requires you to file a claim with the state Department of Revenue, either on your 2023 state income tax return or on a separate homestead property tax refund form if you did not file taxes that year. If you did not claim the refund when you filed your taxes, you can still file a separate claim, but the timeline shifts and you may receive your money later in the year or into 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • The homestead property tax refund is not automatic—you must claim it on your 2023 Minnesota tax return or file a separate homestead property tax refund form.
  • Refunds issued to people who claimed on their tax return typically arrive between July and September 2024, with the exact date depending on your county.
  • If you file a separate homestead property tax refund form after the tax important date, your refund will arrive later, usually in the fall or winter.
  • You can check the status of your refund on the Minnesota Department of Revenue website using your Social Security number and date of birth.
  • Refunds are sent by direct deposit if you provided banking information, or by check if you did not.

How the Minnesota homestead property tax refund works

The homestead property tax refund is a state program that returns part of your property taxes if your household income falls below a certain threshold and you own and occupy your home as your primary residence. The amount you receive depends on your household income, your property tax bill, and your home's market value. The higher your property taxes relative to your income, the larger your refund tends to be.

To receive this refund, you must meet three conditions: you must own the home, live in it as your primary residence, and your household income must be below the income limit for your filing status. For 2023 taxes, the income limit was $89,340 for most filers, though it varies slightly by filing status. If you meet these conditions and filed a Minnesota state income tax return for 2023, the refund is calculated automatically when the state processes your return.

Timeline for refunds claimed on your 2023 tax return

If you claimed the homestead property tax refund on your 2023 Minnesota state income tax return, the state begins issuing refunds in July 2024. The Department of Revenue releases refunds in batches throughout July, August, and September, with most taxpayers receiving their money by mid-September. The exact date depends on your county and the order in which the state processes returns.

Direct deposit refunds typically arrive faster than checks. If you provided your bank account information on your tax return, your refund should land in your account within one to three business days of the state issuing it. Paper checks take longer—usually five to ten business days after the state mails them, depending on postal delivery times in your area.

You can check the status of your refund starting in early July on the Minnesota Department of Revenue website. Go to the "Check Your Refund Status" tool and enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and the amount you expect to receive. The tool will tell you whether your refund has been issued and, if so, when it was sent.

What to do if you did not claim the refund on your tax return

If you did not file a 2023 Minnesota state income tax return, or if you filed but did not claim the homestead property tax refund, you can still file a separate claim. You will need to complete the Homestead Property Tax Refund Claim form (available on the Department of Revenue website) and mail it to the address listed on the form, along with proof of your income and a copy of your property tax statement.

Claims filed after the regular tax important date are processed more slowly. If you file a separate claim in 2024, expect your refund to arrive in the fall or winter, or possibly into early 2025. The state prioritizes returns filed by the regular important date, so late claims move through the queue after those.

You have until April 15, 2025, to file a claim for the 2023 tax year. After that date, you lose the right to claim the refund for that year.

How to check your refund status

The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers a refund status tool on its website. Visit the "Check Your Refund Status" page and enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and the amount of the refund you expect. The tool will show you whether your refund has been issued, the date it was sent, and the method (direct deposit or check).

If the tool shows your refund was issued but you have not received it after two weeks, contact the Department of Revenue directly. If you received a direct deposit, check with your bank to confirm the deposit was not delayed on their end. If you were supposed to receive a check and it has been more than three weeks since the issue date, the state can issue a replacement check or investigate whether the original was lost in the mail.

What happens if your refund is delayed

Delays can happen for several reasons. If there was an error on your tax return—such as a mismatched Social Security number or an income figure that does not match IRS records—the state may hold your refund while it verifies the information. This verification process can add two to four weeks to your timeline. The Department of Revenue will contact you by mail if this happens.

If you moved after filing your 2023 return and did not update your address with the state, your check may be mailed to your old address. If this occurs, contact the Department of Revenue with your new address and they can reissue the check or arrange a direct deposit instead.

In rare cases, if you owe back taxes, child support, or other debts to the state or federal government, your refund may be offset (applied to what you owe) rather than sent to you. The state will notify you in writing if this happens.

Direct deposit versus check payment

The state sends refunds by direct deposit if you provided your bank account number and routing number on your 2023 tax return. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable—your money arrives in your account within one to three business days of the state issuing it. If you did not provide banking information on your return, the state sends a check by mail instead.

Checks take longer because they must be printed, mailed, and then deposited or cashed by you. Depending on postal delivery and your bank's processing time, a check refund can take three to four weeks from the issue date to clear in your account. If you prefer direct deposit in the future, you can update your banking information on the Department of Revenue website for next year's refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my refund faster if I call the Department of Revenue?

No. The state processes refunds in batches on a set schedule, and calling does not move your refund up in the queue. You can call to verify your refund status or report a missing check, but the processing timeline remains the same. The refund status tool on the website is faster than calling.

What if I did not live in Minnesota for the full year in 2023?

You may still be due a refund if you owned and occupied your home as your primary residence for part of the year. The refund is calculated based on the portion of the year you lived there. You will need to file a separate homestead property tax refund claim and explain the dates you lived in Minnesota.

Do I have to pay taxes on the refund I receive?

No. The homestead property tax refund is not taxable income. You do not report it on your federal or state tax return, and it does not affect your tax liability for 2024.

What if I sold my home in 2023—am I still due a refund?

Yes, if you owned and occupied the home as your primary residence on December 31, 2023. The refund is based on your status on the last day of the tax year. If you sold the home earlier in 2023, you are not due a refund for that year.

Can I claim the refund for multiple properties?

No. The homestead property tax refund applies only to one property per household—the one you own and occupy as your primary residence. If you own multiple properties, you can claim the refund only for the one where you live.