ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Revenue will open the state individual tax filing season on Monday, Jan. 28. This date matches the opening day for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The filing deadline to submit 2018 Minnesota income tax returns is Monday, April 15. This date is identical to the IRS's filing deadline for 2018 federal income tax returns. Tax software providers and tax professionals will be accepting and preparing tax returns before Jan. 28, and will submit those returns when the IRS and state systems open later this month.
Electronic Filing and Free Tax Help
Free electronic filing is available for Minnesotans who meet certain requirements. To check eligibility for free electronic filing, see the Electronic Filing Software for Individuals page on the department’s website.
To qualify for free tax preparation help for federal and Minnesota income tax returns, taxpayers must be age 60 or older, have a disability, speak limited or no English, or have income less than $55,000 per year. Find free tax preparation sites .
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Direct Deposit
Direct deposit is available whether filing a return electronically or by mail. For more information on choosing direct deposit, see the Direct Deposit page on the department’s website.
Fraud Prevention
Due to an increase in attempted refund fraud, refunds may take longer than in prior years. Taxpayers are encouraged to not spend the refund until they see the money in their bank account. To learn more about identity theft, see the Identity Theft and Tax Refund Fraud page on our website.
Tracking the Refund
Taxpayers can track their refund by using the department’s Where’s My Refund? system . There are four refund stages which can be followed to see where the refund is and if action needs to be taken. To learn about the steps to process a return and issue a refund, see this video on a day in the life of a tax return .
