Minnesota Renters Rebate Criteria

[TamiR]

I do my mom's taxes every year with TurboTax, e-file the Fed and State, and mail in the Form M1PR (renter's property tax credit). For some reason, the software is saying that she's not eligible for it this year, but nothing has changed. I've checked the state website, and she is well within the eligible criteria. I have also checked my data entry several times, and it is accurate. Hoping for some help here. Thanks!

[MayaD]

To qualify, all of these must be true:

1. You are a Minnesota resident or spent at least 183 days in the state
2. You cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
3. Your household income for 2021 was less than $64,920

For more information please check: Renter’s Property Tax Refund

[Sam48]

Thanks Maya, but as far as I can tell, I do meet all of the criteria. Is there a way that I can find out why TurboTax says that I don't qualify? Is there a worksheet line or whatever that will tell me?

[AmyC]

Your eligibility for the renter’s property tax refund isn’t limited based only on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) – your total household income must be less than $64,920.

There are a number of sources of income that go into the calculation – nontaxable Social Security and the deduction for contributions to a qualified retirement plan, for example.  So, although your AGI may be below the limit, your total household income may be above the limitation amount.

Total household income, for renters, is computed on line 13 of 2021 M1PR, Property Tax Refund Return.  See Renter’s Worksheet on page 19 of the 2021 Property Tax Refund Return (M1PR) Instructions for more information.

[Sam48]

Thanks Amy.

As indicated, all of the numbers indicate that I am eligible. In addition, TurboTax is making the decision before the M1PR is even filled in, so it has something to do with the decision tree in the M1 (or M1M, or M1R) form.

I've posted a question separately in the forum to see how I might track where in the M1, TurboTax is making the decision not to fill in the M1PR.

I have no income, no distributions, etc. this year; so it's really easy to rule out any of the numbers.

[AmyC]

You win. That does sound simple. You can send us a “diagnostic” file that has your “numbers” but not your personal information.  If you would like to do this, here are the instructions: 

If you are online, go to tax tools>tools > share file with agent > 6 digit number pops up.

If on desktop, go to online >send tax file to agent > number pops.

Reply with the 6 digit # here and @AmyC please

@Sam48

[Sam48]

Thank you for the offer, but I'm not comfortable sending my entire file. 

I did check line 13 on M1PR, as you suggested, and it is a negative number, which could be the issue. In any event, we'll see if anyone knows how I might backtrack on the decision tree; otherwise, I guess it'll just have to be one of life's mysteries.

Thanks again.