Check your status
Use Where's My Refund? from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Enter the same information as on your return:
- Your Social Security number
- Your date of birth
- The exact refund amount
It shows which of four stages your refund is in, whether you need to do anything, and, once it's ready, the date your refund was sent. It is updated overnight, Monday to Friday, and shows the same information phone staff see.
How long a Minnesota refund takes
The department doesn't publish a number of weeks. It says every return is different, so processing time will vary, and that it reviews every return before sending a refund.
| Situation | What the department says |
|---|---|
| Any return | No set time; processing time will vary |
| Status updates | Overnight, Monday to Friday |
| Paper Homestead Credit Refund return (current year) | Not in the system until July |
What the status tool tells you
The department doesn't publish the wording of each stage. The tool shows which of four stages your refund is in and whether you need to take any action, such as answering a letter, before it can finish.
Why your Minnesota refund is late or smaller
- A paper return, or not choosing direct deposit.
- Errors on your return.
- Additional review. The department may mail you a letter asking you to confirm your identity or send documents for tax benefits you claimed. Answer it as soon as you can.
- A suspicious return letter. If the department thinks a return filed in your name is suspicious, it stops processing it and writes to you. If you didn't file it, you don't need to reply; call the IRS at 1-800-908-4490 about identity theft. If you did file it, check that the received date on the letter matches when you filed, then contact the department using the number or email on the letter.
- Revenue Recapture. The department can take your refund for debts it collects for other agencies or the federal government, and deducts a $15 fee for each claim. The agency must notify you, and you have 45 days after its notice to ask it for a hearing. On a joint return, a spouse who doesn't owe the debt can ask that agency for their share.
If your refund is late
For refund status, call 651-296-4444 or 800-657-3676, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff see the same information as the online tool. For other questions, call 651-296-3781 or 800-652-9094. If you move after filing, tell the department, even if you chose direct deposit. 2025 Minnesota returns were due April 15, 2026.
Minnesota and the new federal deductions
Minnesota doesn't follow the federal deductions for overtime, tips, seniors and car loan interest on 2025 returns. The Department of Revenue says "There is no addition or subtraction relating to these federal benefits on the Minnesota return" for no tax on tips and overtime, and that the new senior deduction "has no impact on the Minnesota return." The department has not stated yet how it treats them for 2026. Compare every state in our state-by-state tips and overtime tracker.
Your federal refund is separate
The IRS pays your federal refund on its own schedule. Track it with IRS Where's My Refund, see the week-by-week IRS refund schedule, or estimate your date with the refund date calculator. To see how big your federal refund should be, try the tax refund calculator.
Common questions
How long does a Minnesota tax refund take? The Minnesota Department of Revenue doesn't publish a set processing time. It says every return is different, so processing time will vary. Paper returns, no direct deposit, errors and returns picked for review can slow a refund.
What do I need to check my Minnesota refund? Your Social Security number, date of birth and exact refund amount, the same as on your return. Use Where's My Refund? on the department's website, or call 651-296-4444.
Why did Minnesota send me a suspicious return letter? The department received a return in your name that looked suspicious and stopped processing it. If you didn't file it, you don't need to reply; call the IRS at 1-800-908-4490. If you did, check the received date on the letter and contact the department.
Does Minnesota tax tips and overtime? Yes, for 2025. The Minnesota Department of Revenue says there is no addition or subtraction on the Minnesota return for the federal tips and overtime deductions. It has not stated yet how it treats them for 2026.
Updated November 7, 2026. Sources: Minnesota Department of Revenue, "Where's My Refund?" (revenue.state.mn.us/wheres-my-refund, last updated March 6, 2026), "Suspicious Return Letter FAQs", "Revenue Recapture", "Income tax filing season starts today" (January 26, 2026) and its 2026 tax professional webinar questions and answers (all checked November 7, 2026). Your refund can take longer if your return needs review.