Local use tax applies to purchases not charged at the local sales tax rate

The local use tax is similar to a sales tax. The rates are identical, but the use tax is applied to taxable purchases that were not taxed at the local sales tax rate (for instance, items purchased out-of-state).

The State of Minnesota applies a 6.875-percent tax on taxable purchases within the state (this is the sales tax) and also on taxable purchases made by its residents and businesses outside of the state (this is the use tax). Hennepin County applies an additional 0.15-percent tax to taxable purchases within the County (sales tax) and also to taxable purchases made by its residents and businesses outside of the County (use tax). The City of Minneapolis applies an additional 0.5-percent tax to taxable purchases within its city limits (sales tax) and also to taxable purchases made by its residents and businesses outside of city limits (use tax).

Find out if you or your business owe local uses taxes

You or your business may owe local use tax. If you buy goods or services for personal use for a total of more than $770 outside of the City of Minneapolis within one calendar year, those purchases are subject to the 0.5-percent local use tax. If your business buys, leases or rents taxable goods or services used in your business, they are subject to local use tax either with the purchase or by April 15 the next year. Local use tax may also be due when your business brings items into Minneapolis or takes items out of inventory into a taxable use.

To determine if you or your business owes local use taxes, please refer to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Local use tax payments are due on April 15

Local use tax is collected annually by the state. It is due April 15 for all taxable purchases made within the previous calendar year, if the seller did not collect use tax at the time of sale.

To calculate the amount of local use tax that you or your business owes, please:

• Complete Form UT1, Individual Use Tax Return. Search for UT1 in the "Form Name or Number" field on the Minnesota Department of Revenue website. 
• Go to Minnesota's Department of Revenue website to view Minnesota Sales and Tax Instructions
• Local Use Tax notice

Or get a form by calling the Minnesota Department of Revenue at (651) 296-6181 (TTY users, call 711 for Minnesota Relay).