M2: Minnesota Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts (Fiduciary) (2025)
Minnesota · Minnesota DOR · Used for tax years 2025
Form M2 is Minnesota’s 2025 income tax return for estates and trusts. It reports income, Minnesota adjustments, taxes, credits, and payments to calculate the amount due or refund.
Who files this form
Form M2 is Minnesota’s income tax return for estates and trusts. The 2025 form includes entries for decedent’s estates, bankruptcy estates, and several types of trusts.
The form text does not state filing thresholds or explain which estates and trusts must file.
What you'll need
Enclose a copy of federal Form 1041, Schedules K-1, and other federal schedules.
Have the estate or trust’s federal and Minnesota ID numbers, fiduciary contact information, and beneficiary information ready. The form also asks for decedent, grantor, or debtor information where applicable.
Additional attachments depend on the entries you make:
- Schedule M2NM: Fiduciary deductions and losses not allowed by Minnesota, or income from non-Minnesota sources.
- Federal Form 4972: Capital gain amount of a lump-sum distribution.
- Schedule M2SB: Tax from the S portion of an Electing Small Business Trust.
- Schedule NIIT: Minnesota Net Investment Income Tax.
- Schedules M1LS and M2MT: As applicable for line 13.
- Schedules KF: Composite income tax for nonresident beneficiaries.
- Schedule KPI, KS, or KF: Nonrefundable Credit for Increasing Research Activities or Pass-Through Entity Tax Credit.
- Withholding documentation: Minnesota income tax withheld.
- Schedule EST: For trusts reporting an additional charge for underpaying estimated tax.
- Form TPD: If making a tax position disclosure.
For credits that request a certificate or project number, have that number available. Enclose a separate sheet if more space is needed for the allocation of adjustments between the fiduciary and beneficiaries.
How to file
Use federal Form 1041, line 23, for the federal taxable income entry on M2, line 1. Complete the applicable income adjustments, tax, credits, and payment entries. The form directs you to the M2 instructions for the tax table and certain other calculations; those instructions are not included here.
Have the fiduciary or an officer representing the fiduciary sign and date the return. Enclose the required federal copies and applicable supporting schedules. Do not use staples.
Mail to:
Minnesota Fiduciary Income Tax
Mail Station 1310
600 N. Robert St.
St. Paul, MN 55146-1310
The form includes a checkbox stating, “I do not want my paid preparer to file my return electronically,” but does not provide electronic filing steps.
If an amount is due, line 39 asks you to select check or electronic payment and refers you to the instructions.
Common mistakes
- Stapling the submission: The form says not to use staples on anything you submit.
- Leaving out federal attachments: Enclose federal Form 1041, Schedules K-1, and other federal schedules.
- Entering zero or a negative amount on line 26: Leave that line blank if the result is zero or less.
- Using an account associated with a foreign bank for direct deposit: The form says to use an account not associated with any foreign banks.
- Not marking changes: Check the applicable box if the name or address has changed.
Questions people ask
Where do I find the starting income amount?
Use federal taxable income from line 23 of federal Form 1041 on line 1 of Form M2.
Can I receive my refund by direct deposit?
Yes. On line 43, select checking or savings and enter the routing and account numbers. Use an account not associated with any foreign banks. Otherwise, you will receive a check.
Can I apply an overpayment to next year’s estimated tax?
Yes. If you are paying estimated tax for 2026, enter on line 41 the amount of your line 40 overpayment you want applied to it.
Can the Department of Revenue discuss the return with my preparer?
The form includes an authorization you can select to allow the Minnesota Department of Revenue to discuss the return with the preparer.
What if I need more room to list beneficiary allocations?
The allocation section says to enclose a separate sheet if needed.