This site provides information for taxpayers of Richfield Public Schools, regarding how the district’s proposed operating referendum and capital project levy questions may affect property taxes. The site was prepared in cooperation with Ehlers, the district’s independent municipal advisor. If you have questions about the information on this site, please contact Ehlers using the information provided below.
About the Referendum
The district will hold a special election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 seeking voter approval of two ballot questions.
QUESTION 1 proposes to renew the district’s existing capital project levy authorization of 6.4866442% times the net tax capacity of the school district which is set to expire after taxes payable in 2023. The money raised by the capital project levy authorization will provide funds for the acquisition and installation of improved technology and technology systems in various school district facilities and the purchase of instructional equipment. The authorization will raise approximately $4,777,993 for taxes payable in 2024 and the estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over the ten years is approximately $47,779,930. The projects to be funded have received a positive Review and Comment from the Commissioner of Education.
QUESTION 2 proposes to revoke the district’s existing referendum revenue authorization of $1,114.60 per pupil and to replace that authorization with a new authorization of $2,202.89 per pupil. The new authorization would increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2025.
For more information on how these funds would be used, return to the District’s website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of the Capital Project Levy ballot Question 1 would result in a property tax renewal beginning with taxes payable in 2024 and the tax levies would remain in place for 10 years.
Approval of the Operating Referendum ballot Question 2 would result in a property tax increase beginning with taxes payable in 2024 and the tax levies would remain in place for 10 years.
To determine the estimated impact of the proposed questions on your taxes, follow the instructions below or view sample property types and values here.
Your 2024 taxes will be based on the 2023 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which was provided on the Notice of Valuation and Classification mailed by your county in March 2023. You can review the current value for taxes payable in 2024 using this Notice of Valuation and Classification, contact your county and ask for the 2023 EMV for taxes payable in 2024 or follow the instructions below to look up your 2024 EMV on your county’s website.
Click on the link below, scroll down to the “Online Search” section and select the criteria by which you would like to search to find your parcel. On the results page for your parcel, click to view “Current year values.” This page will show your 2023 Assessment (For Taxes Payable 2024) values. In the “Values” and “Estimated” columns, use the value listed as “Totals” in the calculator below. This is located directly under Land, Building and Machinery.
ONLINE CALCULATORS: ESTIMATING TAX IMPACT
Residential Homestead Property
If you own a RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact
Commercial / Industrial Property
If you own COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact. If you own a resort, do not use this calculator, instead use the submission form below.
Apartments and Residential Non-Homestead
If you own APARTMENTS or RESIDENTIAL NON-HOMESTEAD property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact
There are certain Minnesota Tax Credits and Deferrals that may affect certain property owners' situations. They include:
Minnesota Homestead Credit Refund
If your household income is less than approximately $128,280, you may qualify for the Homestead Credit Refund (also known as the Circuit Breaker refund). This program, which has existed since the 1970s, is intended to reduce tax burdens for homeowners with relatively low incomes and relatively high property tax burdens. Some important facts about this program are summarized below.
- Available each year to owners of homestead property
- Applies only to the taxes attributable to the house, garage, and one acre on agricultural homestead property
- Available to all owners of residential homestead and agricultural homestead property with household incomes of less than $128,280
- Refund is on a sliding scale, based on your income and your total property tax burden
- The maximum refund is $3,140
- Also available to renters
- To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR
Special Property Tax Refund
If your total property taxes increase by more than 6 percent and more than $100 from one year to the next, you may qualify for a state refund equal to a portion of the increase. There is no income limit for this refund and the maximum refund is $2,500.
To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR.
Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral
If you are 65 years or older and have a household income of $96,000 or less, you may be eligible to defer a portion of the property taxes on your home, through the Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program. The program:
- Limits the maximum amount of property tax you pay to 3 percent of your total household income
- Provides predictability; the amount of tax you pay will not change for as long as you participate in this program
The 2023 Legislature modified the requirements of this program by increasing the household income limit to $96,000. This new income limit is in effect for taxes payable in 2024 and later years.