How to check your Minnesota refund online
The Minnesota Department of Revenue runs a tool called Where's My Refund that shows you the status of your state tax refund in real time. You can access it on the Department of Revenue website without logging into any account — you only need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount you claimed on your return.
Go to the Department of Revenue's main website, find the "Where's My Refund" link (usually under the refunds or tax section), and enter those three pieces of information. The tool will tell you whether your refund has been received, is being processed, has been approved, or has been sent. If your refund was direct deposited, it will also show you the expected deposit date.
You can check as often as you want — the information updates daily. Most returns are processed within 10 to 14 days of the Department of Revenue receiving them, though some take longer depending on whether the return needs review or correction.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota's Where's My Refund tool is free and requires only your Social Security number, filing status, and claimed refund amount.
- The tool updates daily and shows whether your refund is received, processing, approved, or sent to your bank.
- Most refunds process within 10 to 14 days, but returns flagged for review or containing errors take longer.
- If Where's My Refund shows an error or your refund does not arrive by the expected date, contact the Department of Revenue directly by phone or through their website.
What each refund status means
Received means the Department of Revenue has your return in their system but has not started processing it yet. This is the first status you will see after you file.
Processing means the department is reviewing your return for accuracy and checking that all required information is present. This is the longest part of the wait for most people.
Approved means your return has passed review and your refund amount has been confirmed. The department is now preparing to send the money.
Sent means your refund has been released. If you chose direct deposit, this status will include the date the money should hit your bank account — usually within one to three business days after the status changes to "Sent." If you requested a check, it will be mailed and typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Why your refund might be delayed
The most common reason for a delay is an error or inconsistency on your return. This might be a typo in your Social Security number, a mismatch between your return and your W-2 or 1099, or missing information like a signature or bank account number for direct deposit. The Department of Revenue will try to contact you by mail if they find a problem, but this adds time.
A second reason is that your return was selected for review. The department randomly selects some returns to verify that the information is correct, especially if you claimed certain deductions or credits. This is not a sign of wrongdoing — it is a standard audit process.
If you filed a paper return instead of electronically, processing takes longer because the department has to manually enter your information. Paper returns typically take 4 to 6 weeks instead of 2 to 3 weeks for electronic returns.
Refunds can also be delayed if you owe money to the state or federal government, have unpaid child support, or have defaulted on a student loan. In these cases, your refund may be offset — meaning the money goes to pay what you owe instead of being sent to you.
What to do if your refund is late
First, check Where's My Refund again to see the current status. If the status has not changed in more than two weeks and your return was filed electronically, or more than four weeks for a paper return, contact the Department of Revenue.
You can reach them by phone at 651-296-3781 (Twin Cities area) or 1-800-657-3777 (toll-free). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The department can tell you whether your return is stuck in review, whether there is an error they are trying to contact you about, or whether your refund was offset.
If you filed electronically and Where's My Refund shows your refund was sent but the money never arrived in your bank account, wait three to five business days after the expected deposit date before calling. Bank delays happen, especially around tax season when the volume is high. If it still has not arrived after that, call the Department of Revenue with your bank account information so they can investigate.
Direct deposit versus check refunds
Direct deposit is faster and more reliable than a mailed check. If you chose direct deposit, your refund typically arrives within one to three business days after Where's My Refund shows the status as "Sent." The tool will show you the expected deposit date.
If you requested a check, it takes longer. The Department of Revenue has to print and mail it, which adds 7 to 10 business days to the timeline. Checks can also get lost in the mail, so if you do not receive it within two weeks of the expected date, contact the department to request a replacement.
If you made a mistake on your direct deposit information — wrong account number or routing number — your refund may be returned to the Department of Revenue. Where's My Refund will not show this immediately, but the department will try to contact you by mail. If this happens, you will have to provide corrected banking information or request a check instead.
If you cannot find your return in Where's My Refund
If you enter your information correctly and the tool says it cannot find your return, the most likely reason is that the Department of Revenue has not received it yet. This happens if you filed very recently — allow at least one business day after you filed electronically, or up to two weeks if you mailed a paper return.
It can also mean you entered one of the three required pieces of information incorrectly. Double-check your Social Security number (no hyphens), your filing status exactly as it appears on your return, and the refund amount to the dollar. If you are still not finding it after checking twice, call the Department of Revenue to confirm they have your return.
In rare cases, a return is lost or misfiled. The Department of Revenue can search their system by your name and Social Security number if Where's My Refund is not working for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it usually take to get a Minnesota refund?
Most electronic returns are processed and refunded within 10 to 14 days. Paper returns take 4 to 6 weeks. Direct deposits arrive within one to three business days after the status changes to "Sent"; checks take 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail.
Can I get my refund faster if I file early?
Filing early does not speed up processing — the Department of Revenue processes returns in the order they are received, and processing time is the same whether you file in January or April. However, filing early means you will receive your refund earlier in the season, before the rush.
What should I do if Where's My Refund shows an error?
Contact the Department of Revenue by phone at 651-296-3781 or 1-800-657-3777. Have your return and the error message ready. They can tell you what went wrong and what steps to take next, which might include mailing in corrected information or waiting for them to contact you.
Will my refund be reduced if I owe child support or student loans?
Yes. If you owe back child support, have unpaid taxes, or have defaulted on a federal student loan, your refund can be offset to pay what you owe. Where's My Refund will not always show this in advance, but the Department of Revenue can tell you if an offset is pending when you call.
Can I cancel my refund and get a check instead of direct deposit?
Once your return has been processed and approved, you cannot change the refund method. If you want a check instead of direct deposit, you will have to wait for the direct deposit to arrive, then contact the Department of Revenue to request an amended return — which starts the process over.