ST. PAUL, Minn. – The
Minnesota Department of Revenue will open state individual income tax
filing season on January 23, 2017. For the benefit and convenience of
Minnesotans, this is the same day as the Internal Revenue Service.
The
filing deadline to submit 2016 tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2017,
rather than the traditional April 15 date. This is also the same day as
the Internal Revenue Service.
Revenue
Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly reminds taxpayers that filing
electronically and choosing direct deposit helps improve the accuracy
and security of your return.
“Protecting
Minnesotan’s refunds and ensuring the right refund amount goes to the
right person is our top priority,” said Bauerly. “Minnesotans can help
by filing electronically and using direct deposit, which is the most
secure and effective way to receive your refund.”
Electronic Filing and Direct Deposit Choosing
electronic filing and direct deposit is the most secure way to get your
refund. Last year, over 2 million Minnesota taxpayers used electronic
software to file their taxes. Visit the website to learn more about your
electronic filing and free filing options for those who qualify.
Direct
deposit is an easy and convenient way to get your refund. You can
include your banking information on your tax return and get your refund
deposited into your bank account. Direct deposit is available to you
whether you file your return electronically or by mail. Check out the
website to learn more about the benefits of choosing direct deposit.
Voter Registration Minnesota
law requires that individual income tax return forms and instruction
booklets include voter registration forms. This year, taxpayers using
Minnesota-certified electronic filing software will see a new message
prompting eligible voters to register to vote online at the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.
Fraud Prevention The
department takes protecting your personal information and your tax
refund very seriously. We work to combat identify theft-related tax
fraud by taking the time necessary to review and verify the information
on all tax returns to make sure the right refund goes to the right
person.
Protecting
Minnesotan’s personal information means that refunds may take longer
than in prior years because of the increase in attempted refund fraud.
Don’t spend your refund until you see the money in your bank account.
Visit the website to learn more about our efforts to protect your information.
Track Your Refund You are able to track where your refund is in the process by using our Where’s My Refund? system.
You
will be able to track which of the four stages your refund is in and
whether you need to take any action to allow us to complete the
processing of your refund. You will see the date your refund was issued
when it is finished processing. View the video to learn more about Where’s My Refund?.
Free Tax Help You
may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers
at locations across Minnesota for your federal and state income tax
returns. Qualified taxpayers are age 60 or older, have a disability,
speak limited or no English, or have income less than $54,000 per year.
Most free tax preparation sites are open Feb. 1 - April 15. Visit our website to find free tax preparation sites near you
