North Ramsey News

Certain types of non-escrow property owners in Ramsey County will receive a two-month extension on their property tax payments due to the economic effects of COVID-19. 

The extension is until July 15 and is for non-escrow small business property taxes less than or equal to $50,000, homestead properties, and residential non-homestead properties of one to three units with property taxes less than or equal to $20,000.

“We’re really trying to provide this relief to those who are most impacted,” Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt said, according to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

An estimated one-third of property taxes are paid through escrow and people usually need time to gather the funds to pay the taxes, which has been stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is in addition to any other waivers they may have and will not impact or negatively affect the taxpayer's status over the next 10 years. 

Reinhardt also said that those who are just above the threshold or do not meet the requirements to defer that they can call and seek out other alternatives because there are options in place such as the right to appeal for an abatement due to hardship, according to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

The property tax subcommittee was put into place in March and includes school and city representatives that have been working to create proposals to help those affected most by the COVID-19 pandemic. They also are encouraging any and all who can afford to pay to do so because although the county can cover the extension, if 30% do not pay on time it will create a 5.3% drop in expected revenue for May. If this extends into July, there will be more concern about how the county will cover the lack of funds. 

More information about the tax deferments can be found here.