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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Burleigh County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Varies by district (school, fire, park districts affect total rate within county)
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Burleigh County, North Dakota operates a property tax system that serves as a primary funding source for essential local services including schools, roads, law enforcement, and county operations. Property taxes account for approximately 28% of the county's total revenue, making them a crucial component of the local budget. The county follows North Dakota's assessment system where properties are valued at true and full value, with tax rates applied directly to the assessed value without a statewide assessment ratio.

Property tax rates in Burleigh County vary significantly by location within the county due to special taxing districts such as school districts, park districts, fire districts, and municipal boundaries. The City of Bismarck, which comprises a large portion of the county, has its own certified tax rate structure that layers on top of the base county levy. Taxpayers should expect their effective tax rate to reflect their specific combination of overlapping jurisdictions, with total rates typically ranging from approximately 200 to 300 mills (20-30%) depending on location and applicable special assessments.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

The 2025 certified tax rates for Burleigh County vary by taxing district. The following represents the general structure:

ComponentRate (Mills)Description
Base County Levy~50-80General county operations, roads, courts
School District~120-180K-12 education, varies by district
City of Bismarck237.10Municipal services (where applicable)
Special Districts~10-40Fire, park, library, other local services
Total Estimated Range200-300Varies significantly by location

Note: These rates apply to the 2025 levy year. One mill equals $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. Actual rates depend on your specific location within Burleigh County and the combination of taxing jurisdictions that serve your property. Contact the Burleigh County Auditor's office for your exact rate calculation.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Burleigh 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 Burleigh County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, improvements, or new construction after the annual assessment date but before the end of the tax year. These supplemental bills ensure that property taxes are properly allocated based on current ownership and property conditions throughout the entire tax year.

Common triggers for supplemental taxes include the purchase of property (triggering a change of ownership assessment), completion of new construction or major improvements that increase property value, and subdivision of land. The supplemental tax is calculated by determining the difference between the old and new assessed values, applying the current tax rate, and prorating the amount based on the number of months remaining in the tax year.

For example, if you purchase a home in Burleigh County in March that was previously under-assessed, and the new assessment increases the taxable value by $50,000 with a total tax rate of 250 mills, your supplemental tax would be approximately $12,500 × (9 months remaining ÷ 12 months) = $9,375 for the remainder of that tax year.

Example Calculation

The following examples show annual property tax calculations for different home values in Burleigh County, assuming a combined tax rate of 250 mills (25%) and application for available tax credits:

$300,000 Home:

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if eligible): -$5,000 taxable value reduction
  • Net Taxable Value: $295,000
  • Annual Tax: $295,000 × 0.25 = $7,375
  • Monthly Escrow: $614

$600,000 Home:

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if eligible): -$3,000 taxable value reduction
  • Net Taxable Value: $597,000
  • Annual Tax: $597,000 × 0.25 = $14,925
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,244

$1,000,000 Home:

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if eligible): -$1,500 taxable value reduction
  • Net Taxable Value: $998,500
  • Annual Tax: $998,500 × 0.25 = $24,963
  • Monthly Escrow: $2,080

Note: Tax credits require annual application and eligibility varies by income. Disabled veteran credits and other specialized credits may also apply with proper documentation.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Burleigh County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, especially when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80%. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments along with your mortgage payment and remits property taxes directly to Burleigh County on your behalf. The lender typically pays the first installment by the October 2nd deadline and the second installment by November 15th.

Lenders are required to conduct annual escrow analyses to ensure adequate funds are collected. If property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your monthly escrow payment will be adjusted accordingly. You'll receive an escrow analysis statement showing any shortage or surplus, with shortages typically spread over 12 months in addition to the new payment amount.

Property owners should verify that their lender has made timely payments by checking with the Burleigh County Treasurer's office or online payment portal. While lenders are generally reliable, you remain ultimately responsible for ensuring taxes are paid on time. Keep records of your escrow statements and consider reviewing your property tax bill when mailed in December to confirm accuracy before your lender's payment.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Burleigh County? A: Real estate tax statements are mailed each December by the 26th. The first installment payment is due by October 2nd, and the second installment is due by November 15th of the following year.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: The Homestead Property Tax Credit is the primary credit available to qualifying homeowners and REQUIRES annual application by April 1st. The credit amount depends on your income level. Additional credits include Disabled Veteran Credits and Blind Exemptions, all of which require specific applications and documentation.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit limits assessment increases rather than reducing market value. It caps the annual growth in your property's taxable value and provides income-based tax reductions. You must apply annually by April 1st with your local assessor, and the credit amount decreases as income increases.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Burleigh County? A: North Dakota requires annual assessment updates, though full reappraisals typically occur every few years. The County Assessor reviews property values annually and may adjust them based on market conditions, improvements, or other factors affecting value.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the Board of Equalization during their designated meeting period, typically in spring. Contact the Burleigh County Assessor's office for specific deadlines and appeal procedures for the current assessment year.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: North Dakota law imposes penalties and interest on delinquent property taxes. Contact the Burleigh County Treasurer's office for current penalty rates and collection procedures.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Check the Burleigh County Treasurer's website for online payment options and accepted payment methods. Many North Dakota counties offer online payment portals for taxpayer convenience.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within Burleigh County? A: Your total tax rate depends on all taxing jurisdictions serving your property, including school districts, municipal boundaries, fire districts, park districts, and other special assessments. Properties in Bismarck, for example, pay city taxes in addition to county and school district taxes.

Q: What happens if I don't receive my tax statement? A: Property owners remain responsible for timely payment even if statements are not received. Contact the Burleigh County Treasurer's office immediately if you don't receive your December statement, as non-receipt doesn't waive penalties for late payment.

Q: Are mobile homes taxed differently? A: Yes, mobile home tax statements are mailed in January rather than December, and they may be subject to different assessment and payment procedures than real estate.

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