This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 2174, Pine River-Backus Schools, regarding how the District’s proposed capital project levy 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 school board of Independent School District No. 2174 (Pine River-Backus Schools) will hold a capital project levy on April 8, 2025, asking voters to approve one question.
Question 1 proposes a capital project levy authorization of 2.75% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The additional revenue from the proposed authorization will be used to provide funds for the costs of technology-related personnel and training, bus and vehicle fleet replacement, roofing and flooring replacements, HVAC repairs and replacements and acquisition of curriculum, textbooks and materials. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $896,000 for taxes payable in 2026, the year it is to be levied and would be authorized for ten years. The estimated total revenue of the projects to be funded over that time is approximately $8,960,000.
For more information on how these funds would be used, return to the District’s website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of the ballot question would result in a property tax change beginning with taxes payable in 2026, and the tax levies would remain in place for 10 years. To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot question on your 2026 taxes, follow the instructions below or view sample property types and values here.
Your 2026 taxes will be based on the 2025 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which was provided on the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” mailed by your county in March 2025.
Click on the link below and enter your search criteria. On the search results screen, click to download and view your parcel report in the right-hand column. From the report, use the amount listed as “Estimated Total Value” in the calculator below.
Click on the link below, “Agree” to the disclosure (must allow pop ups to see this screen along with the valuation notice in a later step), enter in your search criteria and click on the “Search” box to the right. Select your parcel from the results screen and scroll down to the section labeled, “Values” and use the “Estimated Market Value” in the calculator below.
Note: Link works best in Google Chrome browser.
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.
Seasonal Recreational Residential Property
If you own SEASONAL RECREATIONAL RESIDENTIAL property, enter the Estimated Market Value to see the potential tax impact.
Agricultural or Other Property
If you own agricultural or other types of property, please complete the following form and submit it to Ehlers. Once we receive it, an Ehlers representative will contact your county to find the value and classification of your property, calculate the tax impact and contact you via phone or email with the results. Please allow 1-3 days for completion.
School Building Bond Agricultural Credit
The property tax credit reduces taxes for owners of agricultural property in an amount equivalent to 70% of the taxes attributable to school district debt service for all agricultural property, except for the house, garage, and one acre. This credit is directly deducted from property taxes owed and applies to debt service levies for all types of existing and future bonds for construction and renovation projects. The credit is paid through an open and standing appropriation, which means that no action by the Legislature is required each year for this credit to be paid from the state general fund. The credit is automatically deducted on the tax statement and is included in the tax impact estimates provided by Ehlers.
PLEASE NOTE: you may enter multiple property IDs by clicking the “+” button at the end of each row.
If you have any questions regarding your agricultural submission, please call Roxy with our School Finance Team at (651) 697-8584.
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 $139,320, 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 $139,320
- Refund is on a sliding scale, based on your income and your total property tax burden
- The maximum refund is $3,310
- To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR
Special Property Tax Refund
If your total property taxes increase by more than 12 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 $1,000.
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.
Income Taxes
If you itemize deductions for federal income taxes, you may deduct a portion of your property taxes paid.
Starting with your 2024 taxes, renters can claim the Renter’s refundable credit on a Minnesota income tax return. Renters will no longer file a Renter’s Property Tax Refund.