Property Tax Information
- How are property taxes determined?
-
Property taxes do not have a set rate like income or sales taxes. With property taxes, taxing jurisdictions determine the dollar amount to raise from property taxes. This is called the “levy.” The levy is divided by the total value of the property in the taxing jurisdiction, the “tax base,” to arrive at a tax rate. The tax rate is multiplied by the value of each individual parcel to determine each parcel’s share of property taxes.
- Why did my real estate value increase so much?
-
The real estate market in Washington County and in the rest of the Twin Cities metro area has seen some of the largest gains in recent history during the past year and a half.
Sales prices paid for homes have greatly exceeded the county’s assessed values, also called estimated market value.
For example, nearly 600 home sales in Cottage Grove averaged 22% higher than the county’s assessed value, while sales in Oakdale exceeded the assessed values by nearly 18%.
Assessed values are estimates of market value based on sales in a community or neighborhood. They are required to be at or very close to the amount a property would sell for if placed on the open market as of a certain date.
- If my value went up 20%, will my tax go up 20%?
-
A value increase does not correlate directly to an increase in property tax. Property value is only one factor that is used to determine the portion of property tax each property owner pays.
- Does an increase in property value mean the government will get more money?
-
Increases in values do not generate more tax revenue. Only an official action by a taxing authority to increase the tax levy will increase the total amount collected and only the amount levied can be collected.
- What should I do if I feel my assessed market value or classification are incorrect?
-
Call 651-430-6175 to talk to an assessor. The earlier you call, the more options you have to correct any errors.
Facts About Your 2024 County Property Taxes
Washington County mailed a factsheet along with your Proposed Property Tax statement in November. This factsheet applies only to the portion of your proposed property taxes that are paid to Washington County. Property taxes are also paid to cities, townships, school districts, and other taxing districts. For reference, you may view the factsheet in your preferred language:
Property Tax payments
Payments may be made via U.S. mail, online, bill pay service, or in-person at any Washington County Service Center or at the Government Center in Stillwater. For more assistance or questions, call 651-430-6175, Monday–Friday between 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Payments may be made via U.S. mail, online, bill pay service, or in-person. For more assistance or questions, call 651-430-6175, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
In-Person Payment
To make a payment in-person, visit any Washington County Service Center or the Government Center in Stillwater. For more information, call 651-430-6175, Monday - Friday between 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pay by Mail
Mail your check and payment stub from your tax statement to:
Washington County Taxpayer Services
14949 62nd St. N.
P.O. Box 200
Stillwater, MN 55082-0200
You can also use the green payment envelopes included with your property tax statement that is mailed in March. Payments must be postmarked by the due date to avoid penalties.
Use your Bill Pay Option
Check with your financial institution to see if any fees are charged for bill pay services. To add Washington County Taxpayer Services to your list of bill pay payees, use the following:
Biller/Payee Name: Washington County Taxpayer Services
Account Number: Property ID number from your tax statement.
Only enter one account number.
A new bill pay payment must be set up to make a payment for an additional parcel.
Address: 14949 62nd St. N. P.O. Box 200, Stillwater, MN 55082-0200
Pay on the Internet
Pay your property taxes online with secure payment services through FIS. Receive a payment confirmation to your email account. Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week from a computer.
By eCheck: For $.75 per transaction, you can make your property tax payment by electronic check. Combine your tax parcels in the shopping cart and pay multiple parcels for the one fee.
By Credit Card: You can also pay by credit card. A convenience fee at the rate of 2.35% of the payment amount will be applied to your total. Credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Most property taxes are due in two equal installments on May 15 and October 15. Check this table for specific due dates.
Property Tax Payment Due Dates
| Property Type | First Installment | Second Installment |
|---|---|---|
| Real Property | May 15 | October 15 |
| Mobile Homes | August 31 | November 15 |
| Agriculture | May 15 | November 15 |
| Personal Property | May 15 |
Tax Penalty Rates for Late Payment
If you pay your first half and second half property tax after the due dates, a penalty will be added to your tax. The later you pay, the greater the penalty you must pay. This table shows the penalty you will pay if your property taxes due are not paid before the date shown:
| Property Type | May 16 | Jun 1 | Jul 1 | Aug 1 | Sep 1 | Oct 1 | Oct 16 | Nov 1 | Nov 16 | Dec 1 | Jan 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homestead and Cabins | |||||||||||
| First Half | 2% | 4% | 5% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 10% | |
| Second Half | 2% | 4% | 5% | 7% | |||||||
| Both unpaid | 5% | 6% | 6.5% | 8.5% | |||||||
| Agricultural Homesteads | |||||||||||
| First Half | 2% | 4% | 5% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 10% |
| Second Half | 2% | 4% | 6% | ||||||||
| Both unpaid | 5% | 6% | 8% | ||||||||
| Non-Homestead | |||||||||||
| First Half | 4% | 8& | 9% | 10% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 14% | |
| Second Half | 4% | 8% | 4% | 11% | |||||||
| Both unpaid | 8% | 10% | 10.5% | 12.5% | |||||||
| Agricultural Non-Homesteads | |||||||||||
| First Half | 4% | 8% | 9% | 10% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 14% |
| Second Half | 4% | 8% | 10% | ||||||||
| Both unpaid | 8% | 10% | 12% | ||||||||
| Personal Property | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| Manufactured Homes | |||||||||||
| First Half | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | ||||
| Second Half | 8% | 8% | 8% | ||||||||
*Note: The taxes for personal property located on leased government-owned land may be paid in two installments which are due at the same time as real property taxes, and which are subject to the same penalty schedule and penalty rates as real property taxes. All other personal property taxes are due in full on or before May 15.