ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue will open the state Individual Income Tax filing season on Monday, January 28, 2019. For Minnesotans’ benefit and convenience, 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, 2019. This date matches 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 January 28, and will submit those returns when the IRS and state systems open later this month.

“This year especially, we encourage everyone to file electronically and choose direct deposit to help improve the accuracy and security of your return,” said Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly. “Free file options are available for nearly 64 percent of Minnesotans. We encourage all eligible Minnesota taxpayers to take advantage of this and file their state taxes for free.”

Electronic Filing and Free Tax Help
When you file your 2018 taxes, choose electronic filing. Last year, almost 90 percent of Minnesota taxpayers filed their taxes electronically. Using electronic software is easy, convenient, and secure. Electronic filing also ensures that you have the most up-to-date forms and instructions when you file.

Free electronic filing is available for Minnesotans who meet certain requirements. Last year, over 800,000 Minnesotans were eligible for free electronic filing but did not take advantage of it. You may be eligible to file electronically for free if your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $66,000 or less. To see if you are eligible for free electronic filing, see the Electronic Filing Software for Individuals (http://ow.ly/1RhF30neEkX) page on the department’s website.

You may qualify for free tax preparation help for your federal and Minnesota income tax returns. To qualify, you must be age 60 or older, have a disability, speak limited or no English, or have income less than $55,000 per year. There are over 200 free tax preparation sites across Minnesota where you can get help from IRS-certified volunteers. Most sites are open February 1 through April 15. Visit our website to find free tax preparation sites near you (http://ow.ly/1YRD30neEpH).

Direct Deposit
Direct deposit is an easy, convenient, and secure 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 whether you file your return electronically or by mail. For more information on choosing direct deposit, see the Direct Deposit page on the department’s website.

Tax Law Changes
There were big changes to federal tax laws at the end of last year, but Minnesota’s tax laws have not significantly changed. You can find updated forms and see frequently asked questions about the filing season by going to www.revenue.state.mn.us and selecting the orange Tax Law Changes button. To stay informed about the upcoming filing season, subscribe to the department’s Tax Law Changes email list.

Fraud Prevention
The department takes protecting your personal information and your tax refund very seriously. We review and verify information on all tax returns to make sure the right refund goes to the right person.

Due to an increase in attempted refund fraud, refunds may take longer than in prior years. Do not spend your refund until you see the money in your bank account. To learn more about identity theft, see the Identity Theft and Tax Refund Fraud page on our website.

Track Your Refund
You can track the status of your refund by using the department’s Where’s My Refund? system. You can track which of the four stages your refund is in and if you need to take any action. When we finish processing your refund, you will see the date we sent it. To learn about the steps we take to process your return and issue your refund, see our video on a day in the life of a tax return.

Stay informed
Get the latest news and updates from the Minnesota Department of Revenue by following the department on Facebook and Twitter or by signing up for our email subscription list.

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