Minnesota property tax refunds arrive in two waves, with timing that depends on whether you own your home or rent

Homeowners in Minnesota receive property tax refunds through the Property Tax Refund program, which the state processes in two separate payments each year. The first payment arrives in late May or early June, and the second arrives in late September or early October. Renters receive refunds through a different program called Renter Property Tax Refund, which pays out once per year in August or September.

The exact date varies slightly each year because the Minnesota Department of Revenue must process millions of returns before sending payments. You cannot choose when to receive your refund — the state sends it on its schedule. If you filed a return and meet the income requirements, your refund will arrive automatically; you do not need to request it separately.

The amount you receive depends on your household income, the property taxes you paid (for homeowners) or rent you paid (for renters), and whether you live in a city or township that qualifies for the program. Some Minnesota cities and townships do not participate, which means residents there receive no refund even if they meet all other requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • Homeowners receive two refund payments per year: one in late May or June and one in late September or October.
  • Renters receive one refund payment per year in August or September through a separate program.
  • Your refund is automatic if you filed a Minnesota tax return and meet income limits; you do not need to request it.
  • Some Minnesota cities and townships do not participate in the program, so residents there receive no refund regardless of income.
  • You can check the status of your refund on the Minnesota Department of Revenue website using your Social Security number.

How to check the status of your homeowner refund

The Minnesota Department of Revenue publishes a Property Tax Refund Status Tool on its website where you can look up whether your refund has been processed. You will need your Social Security number and the year you are checking. The tool shows whether your refund has been approved, sent, or is still pending.

If the tool shows your refund as "sent," it should arrive within one to two weeks. Refunds are mailed as checks to the address on file with the Department of Revenue. If you have moved since you filed your tax return, the check may go to your old address. You can update your address with the Department of Revenue, but this does not redirect a check that has already been mailed.

If your refund shows as "pending" after the payment date has passed, contact the Department of Revenue directly. Processing delays can happen if your return had errors, if your income information did not match state records, or if your property is in a township with a dispute over tax rates.

Why some homeowners do not receive a second payment

Not every homeowner receives both refund payments. The second payment, which arrives in September or October, is smaller and only goes to households that meet stricter income limits. The first payment in May or June has a higher income threshold, so more people receive it.

If you received the first refund but not the second, your household income likely exceeded the limit for the second payment. The income limits change each year and depend on your filing status and number of dependents. You can find the current year's limits on the Department of Revenue website.

Some homeowners also do not receive either payment if their property is in a city or township that does not participate in the program. This is most common in larger cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, which have their own local property tax relief programs instead. Check your city or township's website to see if you live in a participating area.

Renter refund timing and how it differs from homeowner refunds

Renters receive their property tax refund once per year, typically in August or September. The payment is based on the rent you paid during the previous year, your household income, and your filing status. Like the homeowner program, the renter program is automatic — if you filed a Minnesota tax return and meet the income limits, you will receive a refund without requesting it.

The renter refund amount is usually smaller than homeowner refunds because it is calculated as a percentage of rent paid rather than actual property taxes. The state assumes that a portion of your rent goes toward property taxes, and the refund is based on that estimated amount.

You can check the status of a renter refund using the same Department of Revenue tool as homeowners. Enter your Social Security number and select the renter program instead of the homeowner program. If your refund shows as sent but you have not received it after two weeks, contact the Department of Revenue to confirm your mailing address.

What to do if your refund is late or missing

If your refund has not arrived within two weeks of the Department of Revenue showing it as "sent," check that your mailing address is current. The Department of Revenue mails refunds to the address on your most recent tax return. If you moved and did not update your address, the check went to your old address.

You can request a replacement check from the Department of Revenue if your original check was lost or never arrived. You will need to provide your Social Security number, the year of the refund, and proof that you did not receive it. The Department of Revenue can reissue a check or, in some cases, deposit the refund directly to a bank account if you provide routing and account numbers.

If the Department of Revenue shows your refund as "pending" more than one month after the scheduled payment date, call the department directly. Delays can occur if there is a discrepancy between your tax return and other state records, such as income reported by your employer or property tax information from your county assessor.

Income limits and how they affect your refund amount

The Minnesota property tax refund programs have income limits that change each year. For the 2024 tax year, the homeowner program has a higher income limit for the first payment and a lower limit for the second payment. The exact amounts depend on your filing status — single, married filing jointly, head of household, or married filing separately.

If your household income is above the limit for the program, you will not receive a refund. Income includes wages, self-employment income, interest, dividends, and certain other sources. It does not include Social Security benefits or certain other types of income, so you may still be within the limit even if your total household earnings seem high.

You can find the current year's income limits on the Minnesota Department of Revenue website. The limits are published before the tax year ends, so you can estimate whether you will be within the range. If your income is close to the limit, keep records of all income sources so you can verify your calculation if the Department of Revenue questions it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my refund deposited directly to my bank account instead of mailed as a check?

Direct deposit is not an option for the initial refund payment, but you can request it if you are getting a replacement check. Contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue and provide your routing number and account number. They will deposit the replacement refund directly to your account instead of mailing a check.

What if I did not file a Minnesota tax return — can I still get a property tax refund?

No. The property tax refund is only available to people who filed a Minnesota income tax return for that year. If you had no income or your income was below the filing threshold, you may still need to file a return to receive the refund. Contact the Department of Revenue to determine whether you are required to file.

Do I lose my refund if I do not cash the check within a certain time?

Minnesota checks do not expire, so you can cash a property tax refund check years after it arrives. However, if you lose the check, you will need to request a replacement from the Department of Revenue. Keep your refund checks in a safe place until you are ready to deposit them.

Why did my refund amount change from last year?

Refund amounts change based on your household income, the property taxes or rent you paid, and changes to the program's income limits and calculation formulas. If your income increased, your refund may decrease or disappear entirely. If your property taxes decreased, your refund will also be smaller. The Department of Revenue does not send an explanation with the refund, but you can contact them to ask why your amount changed.