Each year the Minnehaha County Equalization Department sends a notice to property owners regarding the assessed value of their property. The notice provides property owners with information and is not a tax bill. The 2021 Minnehaha County assessment notices will have a new look in 2021.
In previous years, the County has sent notices utilizing post cards. New formats will be used due to new legislative requirements and recent program innovations within the Equalization office. Notices will now come in an envelope that is clearly stamped with red lettering which says “Assessment Notice” to bring attention to the importance of this document.
The new 2021 assessment notice will now come on 8 1⁄2 x 11 manila colored paper. The notice will now provide up to four parcel assessments per page, for multiple properties under common ownership. These new notices will also include the full and true assessed values of land and improvements show any exemptions applied to the parcel and the amount of the exemption, and finally the taxable value.
A couple of examples readers might have heard of include owner occupied status or the elderly property tax freeze. Any exemption reduces the total amount of property tax the owner would need to pay on the total assessed value.
The department strives to be transparent about processes and how assessments are determined. Please contact Equalization staff if you feel any information on your notices is not correct or if you have inquiries about an exemption you feel you qualify for but do not see applied to your assessment.
Should any taxpayer feel aggrieved by their assessment, they should first contact the Equalization office. Equalization staff can explain how the assessment process works and assist a taxpayer seeking further understanding. This also provides an opportunity to potentially find and recommend corrections or assist a taxpayer with an appeal. Appeals are processed each spring and occur at the local and state level involving townships, school districts, municipalities, and counties.
Should any taxpayer wish to file a formal appeal of their valuation, the steps and deadlines to make appeal will be printed on the back of the assessment notice. Once an appeal has been submitted in writing, the Equalization staff will communicate a time and location the taxpayer’s appeal will be heard.
