Property Tax Questions and Answers
Q: When will I receive my tax statement?
A: You will receive your tax statement once a year.
Real Estate and Personal Property tax must be mailed by March 31st
Mobile Home tax statements must be mailed by July 15
Q: What if I haven't received a tax statement?
A: It is your responsibility to contact the Auditor/Treasurer's Office to have a duplicate mailed to you. You can contact us by email taxes@co.stearns.mn.us or 320.656-3870. A copy of your tax statement is also available online.
Q: Why did I receive a tax statement if I escrow my taxes?
A: Tax statements are mailed to property owners. Your escrow company receives your tax information from our office. You will need your tax statement for tax filing purposes and property tax refunds if applicable.
Q: What do I do if I get a tax statement for property I have sold?
A: Please forward the tax statement to the new owners, as they will need it to pay the property taxes or mail it back to our office to forward to the new property owner.
Q: I just bought property, who pays the taxes?
A: In a typical real estate transaction, taxes are prorated and the buyer is given credit for the seller portion. Please check your closing statement or contact the realtor or attorney who handled the transaction for you. Any delinquent taxes must be paid at closing. Current taxes do not need to be paid at closing.
Q: How do I change my address on my statement?
A: On the back of your payment stub is a place for your new address. Mail your address change to: Randy R. Schreifels P.O. Box 728, St. Cloud, MN, 56302-0728 or email us at taxes@co.stearns.mn.us
Q: Can I use a credit card when paying my taxes?
A: Yes, but only when paying online. View and pay your taxes in our Online Services section of our web site. When paying by mail, only checks and money orders are accepted.
Q: Can I make partial payment when paying my property taxes?
A: Yes, but regular due dates still apply and any portion of the tax not paid by the due dates is subject to the penalty assessment.
Q: If I own more than one property, can I write one check?
A: Yes, you may add the amount due on all your parcels and write one check for the total (make sure to include all payment stubs with payment).
Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late?
A: By State Law, the Treasurer’s Office is required to charge a penalty.
Q: Will I receive a reminder if I don't pay my taxes by the due date?
A: Yes, Treasurer’s Office sends out courtesy letters when taxes are not paid. The letters go out in December to all properties where the tax has not been paid, and includes the amount of penalty as calculated according to the penalty schedule.
Q: Will my name appear in the paper if I don't pay my property taxes? If so, when?
A: Any property taxes not paid before January 1 are considered delinquent. Delinquent notices are sent out by the Auditor’s office informing you of the last day to pay to avoid printing of your name. The Delinquent Tax list is printed in the county designated newspaper in March each year.
Q: Am I eligible for a Property Tax refund?
A: To determine if you are eligible for the Property Tax Refund, you must complete the M1PR form.
Q: What do I need to do before I move and/or sell my Mobile Home?
A: You need a Mobile Home Statement from the Auditor/Treasurer Office that states all delinquent and current taxes are paid in full. Any taxes not paid will need to be paid before the mobile home can be moved. You will then need to transfer the title if applicable.
Q: What is a Truth–In–Taxation (TNT) notice?
A: The Truth–In–Taxation Notice (TNT), also called the Proposal Tax Notice, is mailed to property owners in November each year. This notice indicates that anticipated property tax you will pay the following year if your local jurisdictions approve the budget amounts they are considering. Property owners are invited to attend meetings held by their local jurisdictions to express their opinions on local budgets.
Q: Can the amount of my property tax due on my tax statement be different than the amount on my proposed tax notice?
A: Yes, this is why:
• The proposed tax notice does not include special assessments
• Referendums passed could result in increasing the tax amounts
• Property owners who occupy their property by December 1 can file for homestead classification for the following year
Q: What are Special Taxing Districts?
A: Special taxing districts include Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Regional Rail Authority, Watershed District, etc.
Q: What is a Special Assessment?
A: A special assessment is an improvement (such as streets, curb and gutter, etc.) which directly benefits the property. It is shown as a separate amount on the property tax statement. The amount is based on how much the property benefits from the improvement and the cost of doing the project. It is not based on the value of the property.