The Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Revenue announced on Thursday that the department will be reissuing one-time rebates to 128,000 Minnesotans who have yet to cash their checks.
Paul Marquart, the revenue chief, indicated that the outstanding checks account for approximately 6% of the total 2.1 million checks distributed to Minnesota taxpayers, whether via mail or direct deposit.
The initial distribution of physical rebate checks, which occurred late last year, took approximately one month.
Subsequently, the department allowed 60 days before voiding unclaimed checks and initiating a second distribution attempt.
Rebate Checks for Unclaimed Funds
Checks that remained unclaimed after the second round were rendered void earlier this month, prompting the department to undertake another round of reissuance.
Each rebate check amounted to $260 per taxpayer, with additional funds available for up to three dependents if families met income criteria of less than $150,000 for married filers or $75,000 for single filers.
Families meeting these requirements, with five members, received a $1,300 check.
Some residents of Minnesota expressed confusion regarding unmarked envelopes containing rebate checks, believing them to be from Montana, where the state had contracted with a distribution company.
Paul Marquart conveyed to the Senate Taxes Committee on Thursday that in retrospect, he wished the out-of-state sender, Submittable Holdings, had utilized a post office address within Minnesota to alleviate taxpayer uncertainty regarding the legitimacy of the one-time direct payment from the state.
He acknowledged that some individuals mistakenly discarded their checks, but reassured that replacement checks were issued in such instances.
Minnesota Revenue Issues New Rebate Checks
For those Minnesotans who qualify for the rebate but have not yet received their check among the 128,000, Marquart clarified that the new check will originate from the Department of Revenue, not Submittable Holdings.
Taxpayers have a two-year window to cash these checks, and if left uncashed beyond that timeframe, they will be transferred to unclaimed property overseen by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.