Who can get a Minnesota property tax refund and why
Minnesota offers property tax refunds through two main programs: the Homestead Property Tax Refund and the Renter's Property Tax Refund. Both are run by the Minnesota Department of Revenue. You may be owed money if you paid property taxes on your home in Minnesota and your household income fell below a certain threshold, or if you rented and your landlord passed property tax costs to you through rent.
The refund exists because Minnesota law caps how much property tax you should pay based on your income. If your actual property taxes exceeded that cap, the state refunds the difference. This is not a new tax break — it is money you overpaid in the first place.
You do not automatically receive this refund. You must file a claim with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Many people who are owed money never file because they do not know the program exists.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota offers property tax refunds to homeowners and renters whose property taxes exceeded a percentage of their household income.
- You must file a claim form with the Minnesota Department of Revenue — the state does not send refunds automatically.
- The important date to file is typically in the spring following the tax year, though late claims are sometimes accepted.
- You will need your property tax statement, proof of household income, and proof of residency to file.
- Renters file using Form M1-PR; homeowners file using Form M1-H.
Income limits and how much you might receive
The refund amount depends on your household income and the property taxes you paid. Minnesota sets a maximum percentage of income that you should pay in property tax. If your actual taxes exceed that percentage, you get the overage back.
Income limits change each year. For the 2023 tax year (the refund you would file in 2024), the homestead refund was available to households earning roughly $95,000 or less, though the exact limit varies based on family size and other factors. The renter refund had a similar income cap. You can find the current year's limits on the Minnesota Department of Revenue website under "Property Tax Refund."
The refund itself ranges from a few dollars to several hundred dollars per household. Households with lower incomes and higher property taxes receive larger refunds. If your property taxes were very low relative to your income, you may not receive anything.
What documents you need to file
Before you start, gather these items:
- Your property tax statement from the county assessor or your most recent property tax bill, showing the amount you paid.
- Proof of household income for the tax year in question — usually your federal tax return (Form 1040) or a W-2 and 1099 forms if you are self-employed.
- Proof of Minnesota residency on the date property taxes were due — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated before the tax important date works.
- Your Social Security number and the Social Security numbers of your spouse and dependents, if any.
If you are filing as a renter, you do not need your landlord's information — only proof that you rented in Minnesota and paid rent that included property tax.
How to file: homeowners using Form M1-H
Homeowners file using Form M1-H, the Homestead Property Tax Refund form. You can read it from the Minnesota Department of Revenue website or request a paper copy by phone.
Fill in your name, address, Social Security number, and household income from your federal tax return. Enter the property tax amount from your property tax statement. If you own the home jointly with a spouse, both names go on the form. List any dependents and their Social Security numbers.
Mail the completed form and copies of your documents to the address shown on the form. Keep the originals for your records. The Department of Revenue typically processes forms filed in spring within four to eight weeks, though timing varies by volume.
How to file: renters using Form M1-PR
Renters file using Form M1-PR, the Renter's Property Tax Refund form. Like the homeowner form, you can read it from the Minnesota Department of Revenue website.
Fill in your name, address, Social Security number, and household income. Enter the rent you paid during the tax year — the form assumes that 20 percent of your rent covers property tax, so you do not need to calculate the exact amount yourself. If you rented for only part of the year, enter the rent for those months only.
Mail the form with copies of your proof of residency and income to the address on the form. You do not need your landlord's signature or permission to file.
Filing important date and what happens if you miss them
The standard important date to file a property tax refund claim is June 30 of the year following the tax year. For example, to claim a refund on 2023 property taxes, you would file by June 30, 2024.
If you miss the June 30 important date, you can still file a late claim, but the Department of Revenue may deny it. Late claims are sometimes accepted if you have a good reason for the delay — illness, moving, or not knowing about the program. There is no harm in filing late; the worst outcome is a denial, and you may be approved.
Check the Minnesota Department of Revenue website or call their property tax refund line to confirm the current year's important date, as dates occasionally shift.
Where to mail your form and how to track it
Mail your completed form and documents to the address printed on the form itself. Forms change slightly year to year, so use the address on the current form rather than relying on an old one.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue does not offer online tracking for property tax refund claims. After you mail your form, you can call their property tax refund line to ask about the status of your claim. Have your Social Security number and the tax year you are claiming ready when you call.
If your claim is approved, the refund is mailed to the address on your form. If it is denied, you receive a letter explaining why. Common reasons for denial include income above the limit, property taxes below the threshold, or filing after the important date.
What to do if your claim is denied
If the Department of Revenue denies your claim, the denial letter explains the reason. Read it carefully — it will say whether you were over the income limit, whether your property taxes did not meet the minimum, or whether you filed too late.
If you believe the denial is wrong — for example, if your income was calculated incorrectly or your property tax amount was wrong — you can contact the Department of Revenue to ask for a review. Have your documents ready to show the correct figures.
If you filed late and were denied for that reason alone, you can submit a new claim the following year for that same tax year, though you will still be filing late. Some claims denied for lateness are later approved if the Department of Revenue has capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a property tax refund claim online?
No. The Minnesota Department of Revenue requires paper forms mailed by mail. You can read and print the form from their website, but you cannot submit it electronically. Some tax preparation software may offer to file it for you as part of a paid service, but the state form itself is free to file on your own.
What if I sold my home during the tax year?
You can still file a refund claim for the property taxes you paid while you owned the home. Enter only the taxes paid during the months you owned it. If your former home was your primary residence, you are still may be able to access.
Do I need to file a property tax refund claim every year?
Yes. Each tax year is separate. If you were owed a refund in 2023, you must file again in 2024 to claim a refund on 2024 property taxes. The state does not carry forward claims or automatically refund you in future years.
What if my household income was very low or I had no income?
You can still file. The refund is based on the property taxes you paid, not on whether you had income. If you had no income or very low income, you are likely to receive a larger refund because the income threshold is higher for lower-income households.
Can I file a claim for property taxes from previous years?
Generally, no. You must file within the important date for each tax year. However, if you did not know about the program, you may be able to file a late claim for the prior year. Contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue to ask whether a late claim for an earlier year will be accepted.