Minnesota Property Tax

For over 20 years, the AV-Preeminent rated firm of Robert Hill Law, Ltd. has represented industrial, commercial, and retail businesses in property tax appeals.  Our office is located in Stillwater, Minnesota and we are able to assist clients in Rochester, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, and in Iowa and Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay.   

Your Property Assessment

Now more than ever, it is critical to ensure that your property is valued correctly for tax assessment purposes.  While property values have plummeted due to the economic downturn, tax assessors may be slow to adjust their assessments. 

Under Minnesota law, real property, which includes the real estate and certain fixtures and improvements, must be valued at market value.  The court has approved three main approaches for determining market value, including the market comparison approach, which uses evidence of comparable sales in the marketplace; the cost approach, which estimates what a new version of the same building would cost minus depreciation; or the income approach, which is used for income-producing properties.  The assessor is barred from only using one method of valuation for every single property and must justify his or her method.  For more information on the approaches which may be used, please see our frequently asked questions.

In Minnesota, a property's classification and value are established as of January 2nd and December 1st of each year.  Tax assessors estimate market value by examining the property's characteristics, including size, age, condition, and special features. 

When the assessor determines your property's market value, he or she is obligated to consider every relevant factor, including actual market sales or market rents.  An inspection of the property is required once every five years, but the property's value may be adjusted based on local market activity even in years when the property is not inspected. 

If you feel that your property has been improperly valued and that you deserve a change in your assessment, we can help.  At Robert Hill Law, Ltd., we are experienced in all aspects of a property tax appeal, including preparing well-written petitions, serving and filing all important documentation, and performing timely research. 

Firm founder Robert A. Hill has more than two decades of experience representing commercial and industrial businesses of all sizes, including Fortune 500 corporations, retail and hotel chains, major manufacturers, and small startups.  Mr. Hill is an aggressive litigator with proven results, including the precedent-setting case of Walgreen Co. v. City of Madison.  For additional information on this and other important cases, please see our reported case summaries. 

Minnesota Property Tax Appeals

The appeals process generally begins with a discussion with your property tax assessor.  During this meeting, we can discuss the classification and value of your taxed property and the method of valuation the assessor used.  If the tax assessor used an incorrect classification or unreliable method of valuation, such as relying on above-market values instead of fair market values, you may be eligible to have your property reassessed. 

At Robert Hill Law, Ltd., we believe that most tax appeals can be settled through negotiations.  Mr. Hill has a wealth of experience in negotiating with local tax assessors, and is familiar with the pressures assessors face when classifying and valuating property.  It is possible that the tax assessor may not have all of the relevant information needed to properly assess your property, and we work with real estate firms to obtain accurate and up-to-date market data.

If we are unable to reach an agreement with the assessor on the valuation or classification of your property, the next step is to appeal to your community's Board of Assessors.  If you wish to continue your appeal after that, we can appeal to the Board of Review.  Many cities, such as those classified in the second class in Wisconsin, do not have a Board of Assessors, but only a Board of Review.  In Minnesota, you will appeal first to your local Board of Appeal and Equalization and then to your county Board of Appeal and Equalization.

Although we prefer to settle a case with the tax assessor, we will never hesitate to pursue your case through litigation in the tax court or state Supreme Court if necessary.  We will force the tax assessor to back up his or her assessment, diligently examining all aspects of the valuation, including the dates of appraisal, industry standards, and the method the assessor used to determine the market value of the property at issue.  Throughout the case, we strive to ensure that the assessor follows Minnesota's fundamental principles of valuation and provides you with an accurate assessment.

Relentless Advocates for over 20 Years

If you feel your property taxes assessment is too high, it is important to act quickly.  You must file your tax appeal by April 30 of the year your property tax becomes payable or risk losing your chance to appeal.  If you would like to learn more about the appeals process and how our firm can help, the Minnesota property tax attorneys of Robert Hill Law, Ltd can help.