By Rich Larson
Rice County residents and homeowners across Minnesota will see larger property tax refunds this year following a newly announced one-time increase from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
State officials said refunds for the 2025 Homestead Credit Refund program will rise by nearly 15 percent under a tax bill approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Tim Walz in late May. The increase is intended to provide relief as homeowners face rising property tax costs.
Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart said the state moved quickly to ensure the additional payments reach residents without extra steps. “We prioritized making sure that homeowners won’t have to take extra steps to get the increase and will see their refunds in late summer and early fall, like prior years,” Marquart said in a statement.
Homeowners who have already filed their 2025 Homestead Credit Refund claims will automatically receive the higher amount. The department will adjust returns internally and add the increase, and taxpayers are advised not to file amended returns. Updated refunds will be issued without separate notification.
Those who have not yet filed can still submit claims through August 2027. The state’s online filing system is being updated to reflect the change, but filings submitted now will still be adjusted automatically. Returns filed after mid-July will already include the increased refund amount.
Paper forms have also been updated, and tax software providers are expected to incorporate the changes by mid-July.
To qualify, homeowners must meet several criteria, including income limits, residency requirements, and having no delinquent property taxes. The program is available to households with income below $142,490 who owned and occupied their Minnesota home at the start of 2026.
State officials say the refund increase is part of a broader package of tax law changes currently being implemented.
For more information or to apply, residents can visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue website.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
