'Walz Checks' Are Hitting Bank Accounts In Minnesota

Taxpayers are getting a financial boost from the state starting this week, as “Walz Checks” hit bank accounts.

The over 2 million one-time tax rebate payments were part of the budget deal passed during the 2023 legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz.

The funds are starting to go out this week, the state Department of Revenue announced Wednesday. KARE 11 reported 200,000 checks were distributed electronically Tuesday.

The revenue department used returns from tax year 2021 to determine eligibility.

The rebate payments are:

• $520 for married joint filers who had a 2021 adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less
• $260 for filers who had a 2021 adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less
• Plus an additional $260 per dependent, up to three dependents.

Recipients who chose direct deposit should see payments in their accounts starting this week through the end of August. The payment will appear as “State of Minnesota 2021 Tax Rebate Program” on their bank statement.

Those receiving a paper check should start to see their payments in two or three weeks, with checks being mailed through September.

If the department does not have an updated address, it will use the information from 2021. If a direct deposit fails, the check will be mailed to the address on the return.