How to Claim the 2023 MN Renters Rebate

The Minnesota Property Tax Refund for Renters is a state program offering financial relief to individuals who rent their homes. The refund amount is based on household income and the total rent paid throughout the year. This article addresses the guidelines for the 2023 renter’s rebate, filed during the 2024 tax season, which recognizes that a portion of rent contributes to property taxes paid by the building’s owner.

Eligibility Requirements for the Renters Refund

To qualify for the 2023 renter’s refund, you must meet several conditions. A primary requirement is Minnesota residency, meaning you lived in the state for at least 183 days of the year. The property you rented must also have been subject to property tax.

Your total household income for 2023 must be less than $73,270. The state considers all sources of income for you and your spouse when calculating this total. Certain subtractions for dependents, being 65 or older, or having a disability can lower your calculated income for qualification.

Certain circumstances will disqualify you from receiving the refund. You cannot be claimed as a dependent on another person’s federal tax return, such as a college student claimed by their parents. Individuals residing in facilities like nursing homes where rent is paid by a government program are also ineligible.

Calculating Your Potential Refund Amount

The refund amount is calculated on a sliding scale based on your household income and total rent paid. The Minnesota Department of Revenue provides detailed refund tables in the Form M1PR instructions. These tables show the specific refund amount based on where your income and rent figures intersect.

To use the tables, you must determine the portion of your rent considered to be for property taxes, which for the 2023 return is 17% of your total rent paid. You then find your total household income in the lookup tables. The table will cross-reference your income with the property tax portion of your rent to determine your refund.

For instance, a single renter with a household income of $30,000 who paid $12,000 in rent during 2023 has a property tax portion of $2,040 (17% of $12,000). Using the state’s refund tables, they would locate their income level and cross-reference it with the $2,040 figure to find their specific refund amount. The maximum refund varies based on these factors.

Information and Documents Needed to File

To file for the renter’s refund, you will need a Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP). Your landlord is legally required to provide you with a completed CRP by January 31 of the following year. This document states the total rent you paid and includes your landlord’s information.

If your landlord does not provide a CRP by the deadline, request it in writing. If they still fail to provide it, you can request a Rent Paid Affidavit (RPA) from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The CRP is the primary document needed to validate your claim and must be included when you file.

You will also need records for all sources of household income, including W-2s, 1099s, and statements showing unemployment compensation or interest. This information must be reported on Form M1PR, the Property Tax Refund return. You can download the form from the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s website.

How to File for the Renter’s Property Tax Refund

After completing Form M1PR and attaching your CRP, you have two submission options. You can file electronically using approved tax software or through the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s website. E-filing is the fastest method and often leads to a quicker refund.

Alternatively, you can mail a paper copy of your completed Form M1PR with all required attachments to the address in the form’s instructions. The due date to file for the 2023 renter’s refund is August 15, 2024. You have up to one year after this date to file, making the final deadline August 15, 2025.

After submitting your return, you can monitor its progress using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on the Department of Revenue website. You will need your Social Security Number and the exact refund amount to use the system. Those who choose direct deposit for their refund receive it faster than those who opt for a paper check.