Truth In Taxation - Commonly Asked Questions

Why are TnT notices sent out after the general election?
Minnesota Statutes require that the notices be mailed after November 10 but before November 24.

Why does the total shown for last year not match what I paid?
The proposed tax notice does not include amounts for special assessments and special service charges that appeared on last ear!s tax statement. "f our propert had a contamination tax# it also does not include that amount.

What factors affect my property taxes?

There are a number of items that affect our propert taxes. The follo$ing are those that traditionall have the largest impacts%

&hanges to the tax lev 'amount of mone requested from propert taxes( made b the cit # count # school district or special taxing districts. &hanges to the mar)et value of our propert . &hanges in the mar)et values for the area or a particular t pe of propert . *egislative changes to the propert classification rates# state aid formulas and other tax la$s. *egislative unfunded mandates 'usuall seen as an increase in local government tax lev ( Ne$ taxes approved b referendum.

Who determines your property tax?

There are three entities that have a role in determining our propert tax. The State *egislature establishes propert classes and class rates# determines levels of state aid to local units of government# sets the amount of homestead credit# sets the state general tax rate and mandates unfunded programs to local government. *ocal units of government determine their tax lev amount. The count assessor assigns each propert a mar)et value and propert classification as provided b state statute. The propert tax is the result of actions ta)en b all three entities.

What happens at the "Truth in Taxation" meetings?

The usual format of the meeting is a budget presentation b the taxing +urisdiction follo$ed b public comment and questions. The &it of *a)e ,ar)# the *a)e ,ar)-.udubon School /istrict# and the &ount of 0ec)er $ill hold separate meetings on different dates as listed on the TNT Notice. The &it of *a)e ,ar) Truth-in-Taxation ,ublic 1earing is t picall on the first Monda in /ecember each ear.

Truth In Taxation - Commonly Asked Questions prepared in part by the Ramsey County Assessors Office

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If property values are increasing, does this mean more tax dollars for Governmental units?
No. 2overnmental units must set a tax lev each ear. . tax lev is the amount of mone that the local government $ants to collect from propert taxes. "ncreasing the tax lev is the onl $a that a governmental unit $ill receive more propert tax dollars. "f a local government doesn3t increase its lev # propert o$ners ma still see increases in propert taxes for that local government if their values are increasing faster than other propert $hile other propert o$ners are seeing tax decreases.

Why do some governmental units not hold a Truth in Taxation Meeting?

State statutes allo$ taxing +urisdictions meeting certain criteria# to be exempt from the requirement to hold a public TNT meeting. &ities $ith a population under 400 or a count # cit # school district or metropolitan special taxing district that does not exceed its previous ear propert tax lev b more than the percentage increase in the implicit price deflator '",/( are exempt from the TNT public hearing requirement. .lso# special taxing districts# li)e housing and redevelopment authorities '15.s(# cit port authorities# hospital districts# regional rail authorities and $atersheds have al$a s been exempt from holding a public TNT meeting.

Is it likely that the amount on my T T my tax statement?

otice will !e different than the amount on

6es# it is li)el the $ill differ. The Notice of ,roposed tax 'TNT( is an estimate. The ma differ for an of the follo$ing reasons%

5eferendums could pass# increasing our tax ,ropert o$ners can file for homestead classification if the o$n and occup their homes b /ecember 1. Taxing +urisdictions can lo$er their tax lev .lthough not a tax# special assessments and other charges ma be billed on the tax statement.

My school district held a referendum at the ovem!er general election" if it passed, is the increase reflected on this Truth in Taxation otice?
No. The notices are onl based on levies prior to the referendum election. The school district mailed all properties a notice detailing the tax impact of the passage of the measure. 6ou need onl add the appropriate amount from the notice to the amount on the TNT notice to get our estimated taxes. .n updated notice $ill not be mailed. 5eferendums passed at the September primar election are included on the TNT notice.

Why are #pecial $ssessments and other charges or fees not shown on the Truth in Taxation otice?
Special assessments are not a part of the budget process as it relates to propert tax levies.

Truth In Taxation - Commonly Asked Questions prepared in part by the Ramsey County Assessors Office

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