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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Brown County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Brown County, MN. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Approximately 1% base rate, varies significantly by location due to overlapping taxing jurisdictions
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Brown County, Minnesota operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including county operations, schools, cities, townships, and various special districts. The county follows Minnesota's state property tax framework with a base assessment rate of approximately 1%, though actual tax rates vary significantly based on your specific location within the county due to overlapping taxing jurisdictions.

Property taxes in Brown County are calculated by applying tax rates to the assessed value of your property after any applicable tax credits. The county assessor determines market values annually, with different property classifications receiving different treatment. Your total tax bill reflects levies from multiple entities: Brown County, your local school district, city or township, and any special districts serving your area. This layered approach means properties in different parts of the county face varying effective tax rates depending on their specific combination of taxing districts.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Based on the 2025 Annual Tax Rates by District, Brown County property tax rates vary by location within the county:

ComponentRate RangeDescription
County General LevyVaries by districtCore county services, roads, administration
School District LevyVaries by districtLocal school operations and facilities
City/Township LevyVaries by municipalityMunicipal services, fire, police
Special DistrictsVaries by districtWatershed, library, hospital districts
Total Effective RateCheck district-specific PDFCombined rate for your specific location

Note: Exact rates for FY 2025-2026 are available in the "2025 Annual Tax Rates by District" PDF on the Brown County website. Your specific rate depends on which school district, municipality, and special taxing districts serve your property location.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Brown County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Brown County are additional tax bills issued when property undergoes significant changes during the tax year. The most common triggers include new construction completion, property improvements that increase assessed value, or ownership changes that affect classification (such as loss of homestead status).

When supplemental taxes are assessed, they're calculated by applying the current year's tax rate to the difference between the new and original assessed values, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining. For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in July and your local tax rate is 1.5%, you would owe a supplemental bill of approximately $750 (50% of the year remaining × $100,000 × 1.5%). These supplemental bills are typically issued within 60 days of the assessment change and follow the same payment schedule as regular property taxes.

Example Calculation

Note: These examples use estimated rates. Actual rates vary by district - consult the 2025 Annual Tax Rates PDF for your specific location.

Example 1: $300,000 Home with Homestead Credit

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$50,000 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $250,000
  • Estimated Tax Rate: 1.2%
  • Annual Tax: $3,000
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $250

Example 2: $600,000 Home with Senior Credit

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$50,000 (requires application)
  • Senior Citizen Credit: -$15,000 (requires separate application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $535,000
  • Estimated Tax Rate: 1.4%
  • Annual Tax: $7,490
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $624

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property (Non-Homestead)

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Credits Applied: None available for non-homestead
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Estimated Tax Rate: 1.6%
  • Annual Tax: $16,000
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $1,333

All credits shown require annual application and are not automatically applied.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Brown County require property tax escrow accounts, where you pay 1/12 of your annual tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment. Your lender collects these funds and pays your property taxes directly to Brown County when they're due on May 15 (first half) and October 15 (second half).

Lenders typically conduct annual escrow analyses to ensure adequate funds are collected, adjusting your monthly payment if needed. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, expect your monthly mortgage payment to adjust accordingly. You can verify that your lender has paid your taxes by checking your account status on the Brown County Auditor-Treasurer's website or requesting a tax statement. If you pay your own taxes without escrow, mark your calendar for the May 15 and October 15 due dates to avoid penalties.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
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  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Brown County property taxes due for the current fiscal year? A: Property taxes are due in two installments: first half due May 15 and second half due October 15. Late payments incur penalties and interest charges.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they apply automatically? A: Common credits include Homestead Credit, Senior Citizen Credit, and Disabled Veteran Credit. None are automatic - all require annual application through the county assessor's office by specific deadlines.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit caps your assessed value increases to limit annual tax growth, typically to 10% or less. You must file annually with the assessor's office by December 15 to maintain this credit for the following tax year.

Q: When does the county reassess properties? A: Brown County reassesses all properties annually. Assessment notices are typically mailed in March, with appeal deadlines in April. Contact the assessor's office if you believe your assessment is incorrect.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: Late payments incur penalty charges and interest. First half payments made after May 15 and second half payments after October 15 are subject to these additional charges.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Brown County offers online payment options through their official website. Check the Auditor-Treasurer's page for accepted payment methods and any associated convenience fees.

Q: How do special district taxes affect my bill? A: Special districts (watershed, library, hospital) add separate line items to your tax bill. Which districts apply depends on your property's location within the county - this is why tax rates vary across Brown County.

Q: What's the deadline for property tax refund claims? A: For 2023 property taxes, refund claims must be filed by August 15, 2025. Contact the county for specific refund application procedures and eligibility requirements.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
Local Units of Governmentbrowncountymn.gov
02
Annual Ratesbrowncountymn.gov
03
Tax Doc
Preliminary Property Tax Levies for 2025revenue.state.mn.us
04
County
BROWN COUNTY PROPERTY TAX CALENDARbrowncountymn.gov
05
NEW HOMEOWNER CHECKLISTbrowncountymn.gov
06
Tax Doc
Claims for the 2023 Property Tax Refunds are due August ...revenue.state.mn.us
07
eo_mn.csvirs.gov
08
Sec. 273.124 MN Statutesrevisor.mn.gov
09
Homestead Classificationrevenue.state.mn.us
10
Tax Doc
Property Taxationbrowncountymn.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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