Minnesota Property Tax Refunds

A great “did you know?” from the Big Stone County Assessor’s Office!

Each year millions of dollars in property tax refunds go unclaimed by taxpayers. Homeowners who have declared a house to be their homestead, or primary residence, can receive an annual property tax credit of up to $2,840 from the state of Minnesota, if their household income is below $116,180. For example, if you are a homestead property owner in Big Stone County with an income of $50,000 and a property tax bill of $2,400, your property tax refund would be $892.

A Special Refund is calculated on the same form. It is for anyone whose property tax goes up more than 12% and $100 in a single year, regardless of household income. It generally runs between $81 and $162 and can be requested on top of the traditional homestead credit.

Renters can also apply for a property tax refund. If your income is above $62,960 you are not eligible. The refund for 2022 would be based on rents paid in 2021 and 2021 household income.

These are the refunds you would file with a Minnesota M1PR form. You can file a paper copy, you can fill out the form online or you can ask your tax preparer to complete it for you. All this information is available on the Minnesota Department of Revenue website. You can file up to one year after the due date which is 8/15. So, if you forgot to file last year, you can file before 8/15 for 2020 and file for 2021.

The first step in this process is to apply for homestead with the assessor’s office. Currently we have over 50 property owners that have not applied for homestead on their homes. To be granted the homestead status, you must be a Minnesota resident, it must be your primary residence, you must have a Minnesota drivers’ license and most importantly return the completed application.

There are two additional ways to reduce your property tax. The first is the Blind or Permanently Disabled Homestead. This program provides a reduced property tax rate for blind or totally disabled property owners who homestead their property. The second program provides a property tax exclusion for the homestead of an honorably discharged veteran who has a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher. Please contact the Big Stone County Veteran Service Officer, Ward Odom if you have any questions regarding this exclusion.

You can reach the assessor’s office by calling 320-839-6360. Our office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more programs and forms from our County Assessor’s Office – CLICK HERE