M1REF: Refundable Credit (2024)

Who files this form

Include 2024 Schedule M1REF with Form M1 if you claim refundable credits on this schedule. These credits may allow you to receive a refund even if you have no tax liability.

The schedule covers:

• Child and Dependent Care Credit
• Child and Working Family Credits
• K–12 Education Credit
• Renter’s Credit
• Credit for Parents of Stillborn Children
• Refundable credit for taxes paid to Wisconsin
• Credit for Historic Structure Rehabilitation
• Enterprise Zone Credit
• Angel Investment Credit
• Pass-Through Entity Tax Credit
• Claim of right
• Credit for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Each credit has its own eligibility requirements. Complete the applicable schedules and provide the supporting documents required for the credits you claim.

What you'll need

You will need your name and Social Security number, Form M1, and the documents for the credits you claim:

• Child and Dependent Care Credit: Enclose Schedule M1CD.
• Child and Working Family Credits: Include Schedules M1DQC and M1CWFC.
• K–12 Education Credit: Enclose Schedule M1ED.
• Renter’s Credit: Enclose Schedule M1RENT. You need your 2024 Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) from your property owner or manager to complete it.
• Credit for Parents of Stillborn Children: Include Schedule M1PSC. You must have received a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth from the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. The department may ask for a copy.
• Taxes paid to Wisconsin: Include Schedule M1RCR.
• Historic Structure Rehabilitation: Enclose a copy of your credit certificate from the State Historic Preservation Office. Use the credit amount and National Park Service project number on the certificate. If the credit comes through a partnership, S corporation, estate, or trust, use the amount from Schedule KPI, KS, or KF.
• Enterprise Zone Credit: Include a copy of your documentation from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Use amounts reported on Schedule KS, line 32, and Schedule KPI, line 32.
• Angel Investment Credit: Include a copy of your DEED Angel Investment Tax Credit Certificate.
• Pass-Through Entity Tax Credit: Provide the applicable Schedules KS, KPI, or KF. You also need each entity’s Minnesota Tax ID Number and credit amount. Attach a statement if you claim more than three of these credits.
• Claim of right: Include a copy of the recomputed prior-year tax return showing the tax liability without the repaid income.
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Attach the appropriate Schedule KS, KPI, or KF, which reports the credit amount and certificate number.

How to file

1. Enter your name and Social Security number on Schedule M1REF.
2. Enter the credits you claim on the applicable lines and complete the required supporting schedules.
3. Enter the requested counts of qualifying persons or children, project or certificate numbers, and pass-through entity details where applicable.
4. Add lines 1 through 12. Enter the total on line 13 of Schedule M1REF and on line 22 of Form M1.
5. Include Schedule M1REF and the required supporting schedules, certificates, and statements with your Minnesota income tax return.

The supplied text does not give a mailing address or e-filing directions.

Common mistakes

• Leaving out Schedule M1REF: You must include it with Form M1.
• Omitting pass-through entity schedules: Your refund will be delayed or denied if you do not provide the required Schedules KS, KPI, or KF.
• Not attaching a statement for additional pass-through credits: A statement is required if you claim more than three Pass-Through Entity Tax Credits.
• Claiming certain credits while married filing separately: Married persons filing separate returns cannot claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit or K–12 Education Credit.
• Claiming rent for a place where you did not live: That rent does not qualify for the Renter’s Credit. You also cannot qualify if someone can claim you as a dependent on their 2024 income tax return.
• Claiming a historic rehabilitation credit you assigned to someone else: You cannot claim the assigned portion. You are also ineligible for the tax credit if you received a grant instead of the credit for the entire amount.
• Claiming a claim-of-right credit for a repayment of $3,000 or less: These repayments do not qualify for the credit.
• Fraudulently claiming a refundable credit: The department may assess a penalty equal to 50% of the refund attributable to fraud. If the fraudulent credit reduced your tax liability, it may also assess a penalty equal to 50% of the unpaid tax.

Questions people ask

Can I receive a refund if I do not owe any tax?

Yes. The instructions say these credits may allow you to receive a refund even if you have no tax liability.

Can a part-year Minnesota resident qualify for credits?

Yes, depending on the credit. Part-year residents may qualify for the Child and Working Family Credits based on their percentage of income taxable to Minnesota. Part-year residents can also qualify for the Renter’s Credit if they meet its other requirements. Part-year residents and nonresidents may qualify for the Credit for Parents of Stillborn Children based on their percentage of income taxable to Minnesota.

What do I need from my landlord for the Renter’s Credit?

You need a copy of the 2024 Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) issued by your property owner or manager to complete Schedule M1RENT.

How do I calculate a claim-of-right credit?

If you repaid more than $3,000 in 2024 that you received as income in a prior year, recalculate your tax for the year you originally received the income. The credit is the difference between that year’s tax liability with and without the income. Include a copy of the recomputed return showing the tax liability without the repaid income.

Where does my total refundable credit amount go?

Add lines 1 through 12 of Schedule M1REF. Enter the result on line 13 of the schedule and on line 22 of Form M1.

Official sources

• https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2025-08/m1ref-24.pdf