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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Bennett County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Bennett County, SD. 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 0.50% effective rate, varies by taxing district and location within county
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Bennett County property taxes fund essential local services including public schools, county government operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. The county operates under South Dakota's property tax system, which assesses real property at market value and applies various tax levies to generate revenue for local governmental units.

The effective tax rate in Bennett County for 2025 is approximately 0.50% of assessed value, though actual rates vary by location within the county depending on which special taxing districts apply to your property. These districts may include school districts, municipality boundaries, fire districts, and other special service areas. Property owners should verify their specific tax rate by consulting their property tax statement or contacting the Bennett County Treasurer's office, as your exact rate depends on the combination of taxing jurisdictions where your property is located.

Property taxes in Bennett County attach as an enforceable lien on October 1st each year and become due in two installments. The assessment system uses current market values, and various tax credits are available to qualifying property owners, though most require annual application and are not automatically applied.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
County General0.15%Basic county services, administration, law enforcement
School District0.25%Local school district operations and facilities
Township/Municipality0.05%Local government services (varies by location)
Special Districts0.05%Fire districts, water districts, other special services
Total Base Rate0.50%Combined rate for FY 2025-2026

Note: Rates shown are approximate and apply to the 2025 tax levy year. Your actual tax rate may differ based on the specific combination of taxing districts that serve your property location. School district rates vary between districts within the county. Some properties may have additional special assessments for improvements or services. Contact the Bennett County Auditor at (605) 685-3201 for your property's exact tax rate breakdown.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Bennett 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 Bennett County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, improvements, or new construction after the annual assessment date of January 1st. These taxes are calculated on a pro-rated basis for the portion of the tax year affected by the change.

Common triggers for supplemental taxes include: completion of new construction projects, substantial property improvements that increase assessed value, corrections to property assessments, and in some cases, changes in property ownership that trigger reassessment. The supplemental tax is calculated by applying the current tax rate to the difference between the new and old assessed values, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year.

For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in June, and your property is in an area with a 0.50% tax rate, you would owe a supplemental tax of approximately $250 ($100,000 × 0.50% × 6/12 months remaining in the tax year). Supplemental tax bills are typically issued within 60-90 days of the triggering event and have their own payment due dates separate from regular property tax installments.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied for): -$4,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $296,000
  • Annual Tax ($296,000 × 0.50%): $1,480
  • Monthly Payment: $123

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied for): -$4,000
  • Less: Senior/Disabled Credit (if qualified): -$2,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $594,000
  • Annual Tax ($594,000 × 0.50%): $2,970
  • Monthly Payment: $248

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied for): -$4,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $996,000
  • Annual Tax ($996,000 × 0.50%): $4,980
  • Monthly Payment: $415

Note: Tax credits shown are estimates and require annual application. Actual credit amounts and eligibility vary. Credits reduce your tax bill, not your property's assessed value. Contact the Bennett County Auditor to verify available credits and application requirements.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Bennett County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% equity. Your lender collects monthly tax payments as part of your mortgage payment and maintains these funds in an escrow account to pay your property taxes when due.

Lenders typically pay Bennett County property taxes on the April 15th and October 15th due dates directly to the Bennett County Treasurer. Your lender will receive tax bills and payment confirmations, but you should verify payments are made timely by checking with the Treasurer's office at (605) 685-3201 or online. If your taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your lender will adjust your monthly escrow payment, usually with 60 days notice.

Property owners without escrow accounts are responsible for making payments directly to the Bennett County Treasurer. You can pay online, by mail, or in person at the courthouse. If you pay off your mortgage or refinance, ensure there's no gap in tax payment responsibility and confirm any escrow account balances are properly transferred or refunded.

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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Bennett County for the current fiscal year? A: Property taxes for FY 2025-2026 are due in two installments: April 15, 2025, and October 15, 2025. Payments received after these dates are subject to penalty and interest charges.

Q: What property tax credits are available and do they require application? A: Bennett County offers several tax credits including the Homestead Credit, Senior/Disabled Tax Credit, and Veterans' Credit. All credits require annual application and are not automatically applied. Applications are typically due by April 1st each year. Contact the Bennett County Auditor at (605) 685-3201 for applications and eligibility requirements.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit in South Dakota primarily caps assessment increases rather than reducing market value. It limits how much your property's assessed value can increase year-over-year, providing tax stability. You must file an application to receive this protection, and it only applies to your primary residence.

Q: When are properties reassessed and how can I appeal? A: Bennett County conducts property assessments annually with values set as of January 1st. Assessment notices are typically mailed in March. Property owners have until April 15th to appeal their assessment to the Bennett County Board of Equalization. Appeals must be filed in writing with supporting documentation.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Late payments incur penalties starting the day after the due date. Penalty rates are typically 1.5% per month on unpaid balances. After three years of delinquency, properties may be subject to tax deed proceedings.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Bennett County offers online property tax payments through their official website. You can also pay by phone, mail, or in person at the County Treasurer's office. Credit card payments may incur additional processing fees.

Q: Why do some properties in Bennett County have different tax rates? A: Tax rates vary based on the taxing districts that serve your property, including school districts, municipalities, fire districts, and other special service areas. Properties in different locations may be served by different combinations of these districts, resulting in varying total tax rates.

Q: How do special district taxes work? A: Special districts provide specific services like fire protection, water, or lighting districts. If your property benefits from these services, you'll pay additional taxes to fund them. These appear as separate line items on your tax bill and vary by location within Bennett County.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
Tax Doc
Tax-Rates.org — The 2024-2025 Tax Resourcemylrc.sdlegislature.gov
02
Tax Doc
Calculating the Dollars Needed to Reduce Property Taxesmylrc.sdlegislature.gov
03
Tax Doc
Property Tax | South Dakota Department of Revenuedor.sd.gov
04
Tax Doc
Property Tax | South Dakota Department of Revenuedor.sd.gov
05
SPECIAL MESSAGE TO PROPERTY OWNERin.gov
06
Relief Programs | South Dakota Department of Revenuedor.sd.gov
07
Tax Doc
Tax Exempt Propertymylrc.sdlegislature.gov
08
County
County Treasurers | South Dakota Department of Revenuedor.sd.gov
09
County
BENNETT COUNTY AUDIT REPORT For the Two Years ...legislativeaudit.sd.gov
10
County
bennett county school district no. 3-1 financial statements and ...legislativeaudit.sd.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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