Saint Paul, MN – August 11, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — The Minnesota Department of Revenue reminds Minnesotans to file applications for state property tax refunds and renter’s refunds by Aug. 17, 2009. Even taxpayers who didn’t qualify in previous years may be eligible for a refund.
These refunds provide tax relief to resident homeowners and renters whose property tax or rent is relatively high compared with their total household income. Taxpayers should complete Form M1PR to determine if they are eligible and, if so, the amount of their refund.
The department expects approximately 410,000 homeowners and 307,000 renters to qualify.
The average renter’s refund is $585, with a maximum of $1,490. The average homeowner’s refund is $695, with a maximum of $2,310.
Renters may qualify if their 2008 household income was less than $52,300. For homeowners, the total household income must be less than $96,940, and they must have owned and used the property as their principal residence on Jan. 2, 2009.
Special Property Tax Refund
The special property tax refund provides tax relief to Minnesota resident homeowners whose property tax increased more than 12 percent and at least $100 from 2008 to 2009. There are no income limits, but filers must have owned and lived in their home on Jan. 2 of both years.
Taxpayers should complete Schedule 1 of Form M1PR to determine if they are eligible and, if so, the amount of their refund.
The average refund is $75, with a maximum of $1,000. The department expects approximately 35,000 homeowners to qualify.
How to file
Taxpayers can apply for the property tax refund electronically for a small fee at the department’s website, http://www.taxes.state.mn.us. To file on paper, taxpayers can download Form M1PR and instructions at the website, or call (651) 296-4444 or (800) 657-3676 to request copies.
Renters who filed by June 15, 2009, can expect refunds in mid-August; homeowners who filed by Aug. 1 can expect refunds in late-September. It will take up to 60 days to receive a refund if an application was filed at a later date.
To check on the status of a property tax refund, go to http://www.taxes.state.mn.us or call (651) 296-4444 or (800) 657-3676. Please wait at least 60 days after filing before checking on the status of a refund.
Eligible taxpayers have one year from the due date to file and claim their property tax refund. Those who did not apply last year for their 2007 property tax refund have until Aug. 15, 2009, to file and claim their 2007 refund.
For more information, visit the department’s website or call (651) 296-3781 or (800) 652-9094.
For questions about individual income tax, please contact:
email: indinctax (at) state.mn (dot) us
or call (651) 296-3781 or 1-800-652-9094
TTY: Call 711 for Minnesota Relay
Phone assistance hours are Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For questions regarding other tax types, go to our tax information page and select a tax type.
For media questions ONLY – please contact:
Kit Borgman, Minnesota Department of Revenue
651-556-6397
email: kit.borgman (at) state.mn (dot) us
