Minnesota families can get a refund of up to $1,750 per child this tax season with the new Minnesota Child Tax Credit – even if they aren’t required to file an income tax return. Families can get this refund even if they do not owe taxes. This is not a loan.

Who’s eligible? 

Families may qualify for the Minnesota Child Tax Credit if: 

• Household income was less than $29,500 ($35,000 for Married Filing Jointly) in 2023
• Household had at least one child aged 18 or younger in 2023
• The eligible child has a Social Security Number (SSN) or TIN (Tax Identification Number) – even if the parent doesn’t have one
• Parent claiming credit was at least a part-time Minnesota resident in 2023
• Parent claiming credit is not listed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return this filing year.

How to get the refund

1. Families should complete the Schedule M1DQC, Dependents and Qualifying Children form to determine if their child qualifies for the Child Tax Credit. 
2. Then, families should complete Schedule M1CWFC, Minnesota Child and Working Family Credits (PDF), and file it with their regular M1, Minnesota Individual Income Tax Return Form (PDF). 

Note: If using online software to complete a return, families should verify that the Schedule M1CWFC form was included, and the credit was computed correctly. 

Free help with taxes 

Families may qualify for free help filling out their tax forms. 

• Find free tax preparation help at https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/free-tax-preparation-sites
• File taxes electronically at www.revenue.state.mn.us/free-electronic-filing
• Call 211. They may be able to answer simple questions and connect you with limited local IRS-certified free tax filing assistance or virtual help.

Quick facts

• Even families that don’t normally file taxes and families that don’t have recent income can get the full Child Tax Credit. 
• There is no limit on the number of children that can be claimed with the Child Tax Credit.
• Receiving tax credits does not count as income for other benefits including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women Infants and Children (WIC), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Medicaid, or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Please be aware of scammers. The IRS will NEVER contact you by phone, email, text message or social media to request personal information – especially banking details – or ask you to provide a “processing” fee.