Property Tax Lawyers in Washington County

The government of Washington County, Minnesota requires most individuals who own real property to pay taxes on its value. "Real property" refers to land and buildings, as well as anything else which is permanently fixed to a piece of land, including trees, oil, groundwater, minerals, and the like.

Property tax in Washington County, Minnesota is calculated by taking a percentage of the appraised value of the property in question. They are usually collected on an annual or monthly schedule.

The federal government almost never imposes property taxes directly. Property taxes are gathered nearly always by state, county, and local governments.

How Property Tax is Calculated in Washington County, Minnesota

Washington County, Minnesota property taxes are usually calculated as a percentage of the value of the taxable property. Rates differentiate widely across the country, usually ranging from less than 1% at the low end, to about 5% at the high end.

In order to impose this tax, the government of Washington County, Minnesota initially has to decide the taxable value of a piece of property.

As you probably know, value is not always objective. For example, the owners of family heirlooms usually place far more value on them than their objective monetary value. So tax officials have to be careful to only use objective criteria in valuing property for tax purposes.

With that in mind, the land appraisers in Washington County, Minnesota look at different factors, including the state of the local real estate market, the square footage of the house, and the permissible use (zoning) of the land.

How A Washington County, Minnesota Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

Washington County, Minnesota's property tax system is somewhat perplexing. Legal disputes arising from property taxes can arise in a number of ways. For instance, the state might accuse a homeowner of failing to pay their property taxes, when they actually have. Conversely, a homeowner might believe that the value of their property was appraised inaccurately, resulting in a higher tax bill.

If you are involved in a property tax dispute with the tax authorities of Washington County, Minnesota, you should seek the advice of a Washington County, Minnesota tax attorney. Your attorney can help you prevent a small tax problem from turning into something much bigger and more expensive than it needs to be.