Send your refund to the Minnesota Department of Revenue
If Minnesota has issued you a property tax refund, you send it to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, not to your local assessor or county office. The state handles all property tax refund processing and payment, even though your local county assessed your property and calculated the amount owed to you.
The address where you mail your refund depends on whether you received a paper check or a notice telling you a refund is due. If you received a check in the mail from the state, you do not send anything back — you deposit or cash it. If you received a notice that a refund is due to you, the notice itself will direct you where to send payment or how to claim it.
Most property tax refunds in Minnesota result from overpayment during the year, changes in your home's assessed value, or corrections to your tax record. The state processes these automatically and either sends you a check or credits your account. You rarely need to send anything to receive a refund that is already owed to you.
Key Takeaways
- If you received a check from the Minnesota Department of Revenue, deposit it at your bank — do not send it anywhere.
- If you received a notice that a refund is due, the notice contains the mailing address or instructions for claiming it.
- Property tax refunds are processed by the state, not by your county or local assessor.
- Contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue at 651-296-3781 or through their website if your notice does not include clear instructions.
- Keep any refund notice or check stub for your records, as it documents the adjustment to your tax account.
How to locate the correct mailing address on your notice
Your refund notice from the Minnesota Department of Revenue will include a mailing address in the body of the letter or on a payment stub attached to it. Read the entire notice before deciding where to send anything. The address is usually in the lower half of the page or on a separate remittance slip.
If your notice says "no payment required" or "refund will be issued," you do not mail anything. The state will send you a check by mail or deposit the amount into an account you have on file. If the notice asks you to send a form or documentation back, the address for that will be clearly marked.
Some notices direct you to the Department of Revenue's main office in St. Paul. Others direct you to a specific processing center depending on the type of refund. Always use the address printed on your specific notice rather than looking up a general department address, because routing matters for processing speed.
When you need to contact the Department of Revenue instead of mailing
If your notice is unclear, damaged, or missing an address, call the Minnesota Department of Revenue at 651-296-3781 before mailing anything. A staff member can tell you exactly where your refund should go and whether you need to send anything at all.
You should also contact the department if you received a notice more than 30 days ago and have not yet received your refund check. They can look up your account and tell you whether the check was mailed, if there is a hold on your account, or if additional information is needed from you.
The Department of Revenue also has a website where you can check your property tax account status. You can search for your parcel by address or parcel number to see if a refund has been processed or is pending. This is often faster than calling if you only need to verify the status.
What to include if you are mailing a form or payment back
If your notice requires you to return a form, sign and date it before mailing. Include your name, address, and parcel number (found on your property tax statement or the notice itself) on any form you send. If the notice asks for supporting documents — such as a copy of your deed or a property tax statement — include those as well.
Mail everything in a single envelope to the address on your notice. Use regular first-class mail unless the notice specifies otherwise. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records, and consider using certified mail if the amount is large or the documentation is important to you.
Do not send cash. If a payment is required, the notice will specify whether to send a check, money order, or use an online payment method. Most refund notices do not require payment from you — they notify you that the state owes you money.
Timeline for receiving your refund after mailing
If you mailed required documentation or a form, allow 4 to 6 weeks for the Department of Revenue to process it and issue your refund. This timeline assumes the form is complete and legible. If information is missing or unclear, the department may contact you by mail to request clarification, which adds another 2 to 3 weeks.
If you received a notice that says a refund will be issued automatically, expect your check within 2 to 4 weeks of the notice date. Checks are mailed from St. Paul and may take an additional 5 to 7 business days to arrive depending on your location.
If you have not received your refund within the expected timeframe, contact the Department of Revenue again with your notice number or parcel number. They can confirm whether the check was mailed and provide a replacement if it was lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I lost my refund notice?
Call the Minnesota Department of Revenue at 651-296-3781 with your address or parcel number. They can reissue the notice or tell you the refund status. You can also check your account online through the Department of Revenue website by searching your parcel number.
Can I have my refund deposited directly to my bank account instead of receiving a check?
Some refunds can be set up for direct deposit if you provide your bank account information. Ask the Department of Revenue when you call whether direct deposit is available for your specific refund. If it is, they will need your routing number and account number.
Do I need to report my property tax refund on my state income tax return?
Property tax refunds are generally not taxable income in Minnesota. However, if you deducted the original property tax payment on a previous state return, you may need to report the refund. Consult a tax professional or contact the Department of Revenue for guidance on your specific situation.
What if my refund check arrived but it is damaged or illegible?
Contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue with your check number and the amount. They can issue a replacement check. Do not attempt to deposit a damaged check — your bank will likely reject it, and you will need a replacement from the state anyway.
Can someone else pick up my refund check for me?
Refund checks are mailed to the address on file with the Department of Revenue. If you need someone else to handle the check, you can authorize them to deposit it on your behalf at your bank, or you can update your mailing address with the department before the check is issued.