How to find your Minnesota tax refund online

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has a tool called Where's My Refund that tells you the status of your state income tax refund. You can check it on the Department of Revenue website without logging in — you just need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return.

Go to taxes.state.mn.us and look for the "Where's My Refund" link on the homepage. Enter the information the tool asks for, and it will show you whether your refund is being processed, has been approved, or has already been sent. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight.

If you filed electronically, your refund typically processes faster than a paper return. Most e-filed returns are processed within 21 days during tax season, though this can vary depending on how busy the Department of Revenue is and whether your return needs additional review.

Key Takeaways

  • The Where's My Refund tool on taxes.state.mn.us shows your refund status without requiring you to log in or create an account.
  • You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return to use the tool.
  • The tool updates once per day and shows whether your refund is processing, approved, or already sent to your bank.
  • Electronically filed returns usually process within 21 days, but paper returns and returns flagged for review take longer.
  • If the tool shows an error or your refund is delayed beyond the expected timeframe, you can contact the Department of Revenue directly.

What the refund status messages mean

The Where's My Refund tool shows your refund in one of several stages. Return received means the Department of Revenue has your return but has not started processing it yet. Return approved means they have reviewed it and found no issues — your refund is being prepared to send. Refund sent means the money has been transferred to your bank account or is on its way.

If you see Return under review, the Department of Revenue is checking something on your return — this might be a math error, a missing form, or a mismatch between what you reported and what employers or financial institutions reported to them. This stage can add weeks to your processing time.

Some returns show Return rejected, which means the Department of Revenue could not process it at all. This usually happens because of a missing signature, an invalid Social Security number, or a filing status mismatch. If your return is rejected, you will need to file a corrected return or contact the Department of Revenue to find out what went wrong.

How long refunds typically take

The timeline depends on how you filed and whether your return needs extra review. If you filed electronically and your return has no issues, you should see your refund within 21 days. If you filed on paper, add another week or two because the Department of Revenue has to scan and enter your information by hand.

Returns that are flagged for review — because of missing information, math errors, or discrepancies with employer or bank records — take longer. These can take 30 to 60 days or more, depending on what needs to be checked. The Where's My Refund tool will show "Return under review" during this time.

If you are expecting a refund and the tool shows nothing, it may mean your return has not reached the Department of Revenue yet. If you filed electronically, wait a few days. If you mailed a paper return, allow at least two weeks for it to arrive and be processed into the system.

What to do if your refund is delayed or missing

Check the Where's My Refund tool first to see the current status. If it shows your refund was sent but you have not received it after 21 days from the "Refund sent" date, contact your bank — the money may have been deposited to the wrong account or held up on their end.

If the tool shows "Return under review" and you have been waiting longer than you expected, you can contact the Department of Revenue directly. Call 651-296-3781 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready when you call.

If the tool shows an error message or will not load your information, try again in a few hours — the system sometimes has temporary issues. If the problem continues, you can also mail or fax a written request to the Department of Revenue asking them to check your refund status. The address and fax number are on the Department of Revenue website.

Direct deposit versus check refunds

If you chose direct deposit on your return, your refund goes straight to your bank account. This is faster than waiting for a check in the mail — usually 3 to 5 business days after the Department of Revenue sends it. Make sure the account number and routing number on your return are correct, because if they are wrong, the refund may be rejected and sent back to the Department of Revenue.

If you requested a check, it will be mailed to the address on your return. Checks typically arrive 7 to 10 business days after the Department of Revenue sends them, but mail delivery times vary. If you moved after filing, the check may go to your old address.

If you chose direct deposit but want to change to a check, or vice versa, you cannot change it after you file. You would have to file an amended return, which takes longer than waiting for the original refund. It is usually faster to let the original refund process as filed.

If you need to file an amended return

An amended return is a corrected version of a return you already filed. You file it using Form M1-X (the Minnesota amended income tax return form). You might need to file one if you made a mistake on your original return, forgot to include a form, or received a notice from the Department of Revenue asking you to correct something.

Do not file an amended return just because your original refund is delayed. Wait until the Where's My Refund tool shows a final status (either "Refund sent" or "Return rejected"). If the Department of Revenue rejects your return or asks you to correct it, they will tell you what to do.

If you do need to file an amended return, you can read Form M1-X from the Department of Revenue website or request it by phone. Amended returns take longer to process than original returns — usually 60 to 90 days — because they go through additional review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status without my Social Security number?

No. The Where's My Refund tool requires your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount to pull up your information. This is a security measure to make sure only you can see your refund status. If you do not remember the refund amount, check your copy of the return you filed or contact the Department of Revenue.

Why does the tool say my refund was sent but I have not received it?

If you chose direct deposit, the money should arrive in your bank account 3 to 5 business days after the tool shows "Refund sent." If it has been longer than that, contact your bank to see if the deposit was received or held up. If you chose a check, allow 7 to 10 business days for mail delivery. If more time has passed, contact the Department of Revenue to confirm the address it was mailed to.

What does "Return under review" mean and how long will it take?

It means the Department of Revenue is checking something on your return — a math error, missing information, or a mismatch with employer or bank records. This stage can take 30 to 60 days or longer depending on what needs to be verified. You can call the Department of Revenue at 651-296-3781 to ask what is being reviewed.

Can I change my refund from a check to direct deposit?

No, you cannot change it after you file. If you requested a check and want direct deposit instead, you would have to file an amended return, which takes much longer than waiting for the original check. It is usually faster to let the original refund process as filed.

What if the Where's My Refund tool will not load my information?

Try again in a few hours — the system sometimes has temporary issues. Make sure you are entering your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount exactly as they appear on your return. If the problem continues, call the Department of Revenue at 651-296-3781 or visit their website to find other ways to check your status.