Thousands of people in Minnesota who lost their homes because of unpaid property taxes may now get paid back, thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling and a $109 million settlement fund.
This all started with Geraldine Tyler, a 94-year-old woman from Minneapolis. She owed $15,000 in property taxes on her condo. Hennepin County took her home, sold it for $40,000, and kept all the money — even the extra $25,000. Tyler said the extra money should have been returned to her. The Supreme Court agreed, saying it was wrong for the government to keep more than what was owed.
Who Can Get Paid and How
If you lost a home, land, or business property in Minnesota because of unpaid taxes between 2012 and 2023, you might be able to get money from the $109 million fund. Lawyers say about 15,000 people might qualify.
Over 6,000 properties have already been identified as eligible. The deadline to file a claim is June 6, 2025.
You can submit your claim online. The money will go to the original owners or their heirs if the person has passed away.
Hard to Reach, But Still Hopeful
Finding the people who are owed money has been hard. Many have moved since losing their homes, and the only addresses available were the ones that were taken away. Notices have been mailed and emailed since September 2024, but some people may still not know.
That’s why the lawyers, Vildan Teske and Garrett Blanchfield, are spreading the word. They’re encouraging people to file claims even if they’re not sure they have all the paperwork right away. It’s more important to submit a claim before the deadline.
Big Losses for Older and Low-Income People
Most of the people affected are seniors or are living on a fixed income. Many of them couldn’t afford to lose their homes, and the home was their biggest source of wealth. Some may get six-figure payments, although that won’t be the case for everyone.
“This had a bigger impact on people who had the least,” said attorney Blanchfield. “That’s why this money matters so much to them.”
Other States Are Paying Attention
The Supreme Court’s decision has made other states take a closer look at their tax seizure laws. In over a dozen states, similar laws allowed governments to keep extra money from property sales. Some are now changing their rules to prevent this from happening again.
Eligible people in Minnesota can get up to 90% of the extra money from their home sale, plus interest. But time is running out — the lawyers say this is the final push to get people to apply.
If you think you qualify, it’s better to apply now and send more documents later if needed.
