Heed these tips if you still need to file your income tax return  

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Tens of thousands of Minnesotans will file their income tax return between now and the April 15 deadline. For those taxpayers who still need to file, the Minnesota Department of Revenue has a few reminders and tips.

Still need to file? 

• E-file and choose direct deposit. Electronically filing your return and choosing direct deposit for your refund is the most secure and convenient way to file your taxes and get your refund. If your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $89,000 or less, you may qualify to file electronically for free. Use the links on the Revenue website to see if you qualify for free state and federal income tax filing.
• Claim the Child Tax Credit if you’re eligible and consider choosing advance payments. You may qualify for a refundable Child Tax Credit of $1,750 per qualifying child, with no limit on the number of children claimed. If you choose the advance payment option for your 2026 Child Tax Credit when filing your 2025 return this season, you will receive part of your 2026 credit in three installments later this year, with the remaining amount provided when you file your 2026 return. If you opt for advance payments, you must do so by April 15, 2026. Learn more about eligibility, income requirements, and advance payment options on the  Child Tax Credit webpage.
• Check your return for accuracy. Enter your name, and the names of any dependents, exactly as they appear on Social Security cards, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) cards or letters. Double-check bank routing and account numbers used on tax forms for direct deposit. Incorrect information on tax forms can result in refund delays. 
• File your return by the April 15 due date, even if you owe more than you can pay. Pay as much as you can by the due date and contact Revenue as soon as possible to set up a payment agreement for the remaining balance. You can include your banking information on your electronically filed return to make the payment or pay electronically with the e-Services Payment System. You can specify when the payment will be taken from your checking or savings account in advance or on the due date.
• Plan ahead if you are mailing your return or payment. Postmarking changes at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) could impact time sensitive items like tax returns and payments. If you plan to mail your tax return or payment, the department recommends sending it several business days before the deadline or bringing it to a USPS retail counter and asking for a manual postmark. Learn more about this change and how it could impact your filing on the department’s website. 

Need tax filing assistance?

• Free tax preparation services are available for those who qualify. Free tax preparation sites are available across Minnesota through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Tax-Aide programs. Act quickly as many sites’ appointments are already booked for the tax filing season as the filing deadline approaches. Find free tax preparation sites near you.
• Choose a tax preparer carefully. If you are using a professional tax preparer to do your taxes, take the time to ask about their training, their history preparing taxes, and their affiliations with various tax professional organizations. Learn more about choosing a preparer on Revenue’s website.

Need more time to file?

• You automatically have until October 15 to file before being charged a late filing penalty. You do not have to submit a separate form requesting extra time to file your Minnesota individual income tax return. This is for filing only. To avoid other penalties and interest, you must pay any tax owed by the April 15 due date and file your return by October 15.
• Note: You can request a filing extension for your federal income taxes on the Internal Revenue Service website. 

What should you do after filing?

• Track Your Refund. While Revenue processes most returns within 21 days of the return being accepted, some returns may take longer to review. You can track your refund and find out whether you need to take any action to complete processing by using the Where’s My Refund? system. 
• Beware of scammers. Tax time is a busy time for scammers and criminals. They’ll use phone calls, text messages, and emails often purporting to be the IRS or Department of Revenue asking for personal and financial information. Use caution and never provide personal information unless you are absolutely sure the situation is legitimate. Contact the department if you are concerned about potentially fraudulent contact. 
• If you move after filing your return, contact Revenue right away. That way anything sent to you will reach you, such as refund checks or requests for more information. You must do this even when requesting a direct deposit. Call 651-296-3781 or 1-800-652-9094 (toll-free) to change your address. 

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