Minnesota
Minnesota is the state at the center of Tyler v. Hennepin County, the 2023 Supreme Court case that found it unconstitutional for a county to keep 100% of a tax sale's surplus above the tax debt — Hennepin County had sold a Minneapolis condo for $40,000 over a $15,000 tax debt and kept the full difference. In direct response, Minnesota now requires counties to hold a public auction within six months of forfeiture (many run through the state's own MNBid.mn.gov platform) and to actively return any surplus to the former owner, with a six-month claim window. Standard redemption before forfeiture runs three years, but two carve-outs cut it dramatically: one year for property in a designated economic-development zone, and just five weeks if a city or county gets a court to formally declare the property abandoned.
Quick answers
Is Minnesota a tax lien or tax deed state?+
Minnesota is a tax deed (state forfeiture + mandatory public auction) state.
What's the interest rate or penalty in Minnesota?+
In Minnesota, the rate is: None — cash auction, State Deed issued.
How long is the redemption period in Minnesota?+
The redemption period in Minnesota is 3 years standard (1 year in targeted zones, 5 weeks if judicially abandoned).
Not sure how Minnesota's system compares to a state you already know? Read Tax Lien vs. Tax Deed: What's the Difference? for the full breakdown.
Winning bid comes in over the tax debt owed? Read What Happens to Surplus Funds After a Tax Sale? for how the claim process works and the recovery-agent scam to watch for.
Planning to resell or finance a Minnesota tax deed? Read You Won a Tax Deed. Why Can't You Sell It Yet? before you assume the deed alone is enough.
This page is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rates and redemption periods are set by state statute and can change by county or legislative session — always confirm against the county's own auction notice before bidding.