Minnesota Residents Could Be Sitting On a $1,000+ Refund Right Now and Not Know It

If you live in Minnesota, you could be leaving money on the table. It doesn’t matter if you own a cozy cabin near Duluth or rent a one-bedroom in Rochester; either way, you could put hundreds or even thousands of dollars back in your pocket with this state refund program.

READ MORE: How Minnesotans Can Get $500 to Help Pay Gas and Electric Bills

Every year, thousands of Minnesotans qualify for the state’s Property Tax Refund Program, but many either don’t apply or don’t realize they’re eligible. With rising property taxes and rent, the refund could be a nice boost for your budget.

Let’s break it down in plain English: what it is, who qualifies, how much you could get, and how to claim it before the deadline.

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What Is Minnesota’s Property Tax Refund Program?

Minnesota offers two types of refunds through the program: the Homeowner’s Homestead Credit Refund and the Renter’s Property Tax Refund.

If you paid more than a certain percentage of your income toward property taxes (or rent, a portion of which is used to pay the property tax), you could get money back from the state.

This isn’t new, it’s part of a long-standing Minnesota Department of Revenue initiative, still a lot of Minnesotans may not be aware the program exists.

According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, over 800,000 Minnesotans apply each year. But state officials estimate thousands more are eligible and never apply.

Who Qualifies for a Property Tax Refund in 2025?

For homeowners, you must:

• Have owned and lived in your home on January 2, 2025
• Have a household income under $139,320 (2024 guidelines)
• File a Form M1PR with the state, due by August 15, 2025

You may also qualify for a special refund of up to $1,000 if you’ve lived in the same home for at least a year and the property tax increased by more than 12% from 2024 to 2025, it was at least $100, and the increase was not due to improvements made to the property.

For renters, you qualify if:

• You have a valid SSN and are a Minnesota resident or have lived in the state for at least 183 days.
• You lived in a Minnesota rental where the landlord paid property taxes or a similar payment to the government.
• Your household income is below $75,390
• You have a Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) from your landlord

Refunds for renters are a little different this year. Starting with 2024 taxes, Minnesota renters will now claim the Renter’s Credit directly on their state income tax return (Form M1), instead of filing a separate Renter’s Property Tax Refund form (M1PR). This change means the credit will be included with their regular tax refund or amount owed, rather than issued separately later in the year.

How Much Could You Get Back With a Property Tax Refund?

Refund amounts vary, but according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, homeowners can receive up to $3,140, and renters may qualify for up to $2,570.

READ MORE: The 20 Cheapest Places to Live in Minnesota For 2025

The average refund for homeowners in recent years has been around $1,465, and renters saw about $964, depending on location and income bracket.

Why Renters Shouldn’t Skip The MN Property Tax Refund

A lot of renters assume they don’t qualify for anything tax-related, but in Minnesota, you absolutely might.

Rent includes an estimated property tax portion (15–17% of your total rent paid), and the state treats that like a tax burden. So if you’re a college student, young adult, or senior living on a fixed income, you might be due a decent refund.

Common Mistakes That Could Delay Your Refund

• Forgetting to include your CRP or property tax statement
• Missing the August 15 deadline
• Using the wrong income figure (use total household income, not just yours)
• Filing only with the IRS and skipping the Minnesota M1PR form

If you made a mistake or missed the deadline in the past, don’t worry, you can still file for up to one year retroactively in most cases.

How to Apply For a Minnesota Property Tax Refund

1. Gather your documents:
   1. Homeowners: Property tax statement for 2025 (mailed by your county)
   2. Renters: Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP), issued by your landlord by January 31
2. Use tax software or file online directly with the MN Dept of Revenue (homeowners only)
3. File your M1PR form (can be done with or separately from your income tax return)
4. Submit by August 15, 2025

You can also print and mail the form if you prefer paper.

Where to Get Help With a Minnesota Property Tax Refund

If you need more help you can call the Minnesota Department of Revenue at 651-296-3781 or find a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).