The government of Minnesota has taken a proactive step by issuing stimulus checks valued at up to $1,300 as part of a tax rebate effort. This initiative has included the recent reissuing of checks that were initially unclaimed by the beneficiaries and subsequently expired.
Over the past year, it has been necessary to reissue approximately 128,000 checks due to them not being collected within the designated time frame. The Minnesota Department of Revenue has confirmed that all checks were sent to the most current addresses in their records, and beneficiaries will have up to two years to cash these reissued checks.
A look at the distribution of the stimulus checks
On their website, the Department explained: “We have processed nearly 2.1 million direct payment tax rebates, totaling almost one billion dollars, as a result of legislation passed in May 2023. These payments were based on previously filed 2021 income or property tax returns.”
Payments were made both via direct deposit and physical checks, which were primarily distributed between August and September of the current year. “Additionally, in November and December, we reissued 150,000 unclaimed checks, and in February and March, we conducted another round for those that remained uncashed,” the department indicated.
To be eligible to receive one of these checks, residents must meet certain conditions:
1-Residency in Minnesota: Must have lived in Minnesota for all or part of the year 2021.
2-Tax Filings: Must have filed one of the following before December 31, 2022:
- Form M1 for 2021, related to Minnesota personal income tax.
- Form M1PR for 2021, applicable to homestead credit refunds and property tax refunds for renters.
3-Income for the 2021 Fiscal Year:
- Up to $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
- Up to $75,000 for other filers.
4-Tax Independence: Must not have been claimed as a dependent on another 2021 Minnesota tax return.
Steps to Take if Your Check Expired
If you find yourself in the situation where your stimulus check has expired, there are clear steps you can take to resolve the issue:
- Updating Information: Ensure that the Department of Revenue has your current address to facilitate the correct delivery of your check.
- Communication with the Department: If you have questions or have not received your check, contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue through their website or by phone.
- Await Reissuance: Reissued checks are valid for two years. If yours expired, a new one will be sent for you to cash within this new timeframe.
Importance of Keeping Your Information Updated
To avoid issues in receiving future payments or important communications from the department, it is crucial to keep your personal and contact information up to date.
While it can be frustrating to discover that a stimulus check has expired, established procedures are in place to ensure that beneficiaries eventually receive what they are owed. By following the appropriate steps and maintaining your information up to date, you can ensure that you take full advantage of these financial benefits without significant inconvenience.
