Filing your Minnesota state tax return for 2013 might seem complicated, especially if you have never handled a prior year's return. This guide explains how to file a Minnesota state tax return for tax year 2013 in simple steps so you know exactly what forms to use, where to send them, and how to avoid common mistakes. Our goal is to help Minnesota residents, part-year residents, and nonresidents handle their 2013 filing with confidence.
You will learn who must file, where to find official state tax forms, and how to gather the documents needed to complete your return accurately. We will also explain how to calculate tax liability, apply credits like the income tax credit or child tax credit, and claim refunds if you qualify. Since accuracy and timing matter when dealing with taxes, we will point out frequent errors and show you how to prevent them before mailing or e-filing your return.
Finally, this article covers payment options, late filing rules, and steps for amending a 2013 return if needed. Whether you need to pay taxes owed, request a payment plan, or track a refund, each section offers practical instructions based on Minnesota Department of Revenue guidelines. By the end, you will have a complete checklist for filing your 2013 Minnesota state tax return correctly.
Understanding the Minnesota state tax return requirements for the 2013 tax year is essential before you start completing any forms. This section explains who must file, income thresholds that apply, and the key changes introduced in 2013. It gives you a clear overview of whether you must file and what rules apply to your situation.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue set specific filing rules for full-year residents, part-year residents, and nonresidents in 2013. Here is what you need to know:
For complete instructions and updates, visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue 2013 Individual Income Tax page.
The general rule for Minnesota’s 2013 filing thresholds was straightforward:
Minnesota introduced several significant changes in tax year 2013. The table below summarizes the most notable differences compared to the 2012 tax year:
Change Type
2012 Rules
2013 Rules
New Tax Rates
Top rate capped at 7.85%
New top income tax rate of 9.85% for high-income taxpayers introduced
Federal Conformity
Minnesota differed from federal definitions
March 2014 law aligned Minnesota more closely with federal tax definitions
Credits
Working Family Credit and education credits unchanged
Working Family Credit expanded; Child Tax Credit and American Opportunity Tax Credit adjustments added
Alternative Minimum Tax
AMT rate at 6.4%
AMT rate increased to 6.75%
These updates simplified some calculations while increasing rates for high-income taxpayers and broadening eligibility for certain credits.
You need the correct forms and schedules before filing your Minnesota state tax return for tax year 2013. This section explains where to find them and provides a clear overview of the main form and supplemental schedules you may need to complete your return accurately.
Minnesota residents had several reliable options to obtain the official state tax forms for 2013:
Using official sources helps ensure you have the correct versions of each form and schedule for your Minnesota state tax return.
Minnesota’s 2013 filing system used one main form and several supplemental schedules. Each served a distinct purpose; some were required only if you met specific filing conditions.
Filing the proper state tax forms reduces errors and ensures all credits, deductions, and payments are applied correctly.
Filing your Minnesota state tax return for tax year 2013 requires preparation and careful attention to detail. Follow these eight steps to complete your return accurately and on time.
Before starting, collect all necessary federal and state records. Having everything ready ensures you can complete your return without delays or missing information.
Having all documents available prevents errors and supports accurate income, credits, and payments reporting.
Your return must include complete identifying information. Ensure all entries are accurate and legible.
This information appears at the top right corner of your Form M1 and must be correct for processing and refunds.
Your Minnesota return begins with figures from your federal return. Accurately transfer the following amounts:
Minnesota uses these federal amounts to calculate state tax liability, deductions, and credits.
Next, adjust your income to meet Minnesota’s tax rules.
Following this process ensures accurate reporting under both state and federal tax laws.
Once taxable income is known, use Minnesota’s 2013 tax tables to determine the amount of income tax you owe.
Your total tax liability combines regular tax, AMT, and any additional Minnesota taxes owed.
Minnesota allowed several refundable credits and deductions in 2013. Correctly claiming these can reduce or eliminate tax owed.
Claiming all eligible credits ensures you receive the full amount of benefits available.
Report all tax payments already made for 2013 to avoid paying more than required.
Accurate reporting helps determine whether you owe additional tax or qualify for a refund.
Finally, calculate whether you owe additional tax or qualify for a refund:
Completing this step finalizes your Minnesota state tax return for tax year 2013 and determines whether you need to submit payment or expect a refund.
Once you complete your Minnesota state tax return for 2013, you must decide whether to file electronically or by mail. Each method has specific requirements, deadlines, and advantages. Filing correctly ensures your return is processed on time and reduces the chance of errors or penalties.
Electronic filing, or e-filing, was available for 2013 returns through approved third-party software providers or professional tax preparers. Although the Minnesota Department of Revenue no longer accepts direct e-filing for 2013, using authorized providers offered several benefits when it was available:
E-filed returns are typically processed within two to three weeks, while paper returns could take four to six weeks.
Tax software automatically performed calculations and flagged missing information, reducing common mistakes.
Refunds from e-filed returns could be deposited directly into your bank account, speeding access to your money.
If you file by mail, follow Minnesota’s specific instructions to ensure proper processing:
When preparing your return for mailing, place Form M1 on top so it is the first document reviewed. Arrange all required Minnesota schedules in numerical order directly behind Form M1 to keep the filing organized. Finally, attach a complete copy of your federal tax return and any additional supporting documentation as the last pages in the packet.
Many errors delay refunds or trigger penalty notices. Before sending your return, double-check the following:
Avoiding these mistakes helps prevent processing delays and unnecessary penalties.
If you owe taxes after completing your Minnesota state tax return for 2013, the Minnesota Department of Revenue offers several ways to pay. Choosing the proper payment method helps you meet the filing deadline and avoid penalties or interest.
Minnesota taxpayers had multiple options for making tax payments in 2013. Each method ensured secure processing and accurate crediting to your account.
For complete instructions on payment options, visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s Make a Payment page.
If you cannot pay the full amount owed with your 2013 return, Minnesota will allow you to request a payment plan after the return has been processed.
Requesting a payment plan promptly helped avoid additional enforcement actions and ensured balances were paid over time in manageable amounts.
After filing your Minnesota state tax return for the tax year 2013, it is important to confirm whether you will receive a refund or owe additional tax. Minnesota offers multiple ways to check refund status, verify tax credit claims, and confirm payments.
If you claimed refundable credits such as the Working Family Credit or Child Tax Credit, you could track your refund status using tools provided by the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
For current tools and instructions, visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s Where’s My Refund page.
You can confirm income tax balances or payments posted to your account through the department’s online services or by calling customer service. This is useful for taxpayers who made multiple payments or requested a payment plan for unpaid balances.
If you applied for credits like the American Opportunity Tax Credit or other Minnesota-specific tax credit programs, review your account to ensure each credit was applied correctly. This is especially important if you filed late or amended your return.
Sometimes taxpayers discover errors after filing or realize they missed their Minnesota state tax return deadline for tax year 2013. Minnesota allows late filings and amended returns, but penalties and interest may apply if taxes remain unpaid.
If you filed after the April 15, 2014, deadline, you may have owed penalties or interest on unpaid tax. However, you could still claim the Child Tax Credit or other eligible tax credits if you filed late, as long as you met the program’s time limits.
Minnesota charged a 5% penalty on unpaid tax after the due date, plus monthly interest until the balance was paid.
Refund claims, including credits, generally had to be filed within 3½ years of the original due date.
To correct errors or claim additional credits like the income tax credit, taxpayers used Form M1X (Amended Minnesota Income Tax Return). This applies if:
When filing an amended return, include all supporting documentation, the corrected Form M1, and the M1X form with explanations for each change.
If you qualified for the American Opportunity Tax Credit but failed to file your 2013 return on time, Minnesota allowed late filing within specific limits:
Review this checklist before submitting your Minnesota state tax return for tax year 2013 to avoid delays, errors, or missed credits.
Include all required schedules, withholding forms, and part-year residency attachments. Minnesota returns often require many forms, plus your federal return, as required by the Internal Revenue Code.
Verify your name, mailing address, Social Security number, and any qualifying child details for credits such as the Child Tax Credit or Working Family Credit. Double-check wages, dividends, and business income entries.
Confirm calculations for refunds, deductions, and mental impairment benefits. For example, education or property tax deductions require documentation for each item. Ensure figures are accurate to the last dollar.
Include purchase receipts for eligible deductions. Confirm bank information for direct deposits or electronic payments, and review whether you qualify for free filing or assistance programs.
This checklist organizes your filing and ensures all credits, deductions, and payments are correctly reported.
The 2013 Minnesota state tax return filing deadline was April 15, 2014. Returns postmarked or electronically filed by that date were considered on time. Taxpayers filing after this date might owe penalties or interest if taxes were due. However, refunds and most credits could still be claimed within three and a half years of the deadline.
Yes. While electronic filing is no longer available for 2013 returns, you can still file a paper return using the original 2013 forms. Remember that the refund window closed after three and a half years, so refunds or credits are no longer available. However, filing may still be required if taxes remain unpaid or unreported.
You can download 2013 Minnesota tax forms from the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s website or request copies by mail. The department may charge a small fee for official copies of filed returns. Provide your name, Social Security number, tax year, and reason for the request when contacting them by phone or mail to ensure proper handling and delivery.
If you moved during 2013, you may be considered a part-year resident—file Form M1 along with Schedule M1NR to report Minnesota income earned while living in the state. Income earned outside Minnesota generally isn’t taxable by the state, but accurate residency dates and income records are essential to calculate your part-year income and ensure proper credit eligibility.
You can check refund status online using the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool or by calling their automated phone system. Both options require your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount. Electronic returns process faster than paper returns, so allow at least two to three weeks before checking refund status for the first time.
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