You can claim it yourself, for free

Checklist: Minnesota, money left over after a tax-deed sale

Who holds it: County auditor of the county that sold the tax-forfeited land

How long: Claim within 6 months of the date the county first mails the surplus notice

How you claim: Return the Statement of Claim for Surplus Funds (form set by the Dept. of Revenue) to the county auditor by the deadline printed on the notice.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Watch for the county's surplus notice, mailed within 60 days of the sale; counties also list open claims on their websites
2. Fill out the Statement of Claim for Surplus Funds sent with the notice
3. File it with the county auditor within 6 months of the date the county first mailed the notice. A second notice does not restart the clock; go by the deadline printed on the notice
4. If approved, send back payment instructions and IRS Form W-9
5. Disputed or competing claims can be sent to district court

Documents

• Statement of Claim for Surplus Funds
• Payment instructions and IRS Form W-9 (after approval)

What it costs you

No claim fee in the statute

If someone offers to do it for you

• Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
• You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

• Minn. Stat. § 282.005: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/282.005
• MN Revenue: Delinquent Tax and Tax Forfeiture Manual (Dec 2025): https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2025-12/delinquent-tax-and-tax-forfeiture-manual-december-2025.pdf