This site provides information for taxpayers of the Chisago Lakes School District, regarding how the district’s proposed referendum 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 8, 2022 seeking voter approval of two ballot questions.
QUESTION 1 would propose to revoke the School District’s existing referendum revenue authorization of $225 per pupil and to replace that authorization with a new authorization of $1,150 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation.
QUESTION 2 would authorize the district to issue up to $19,910,000 in bonds for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, safety and security projects at the Middle School and other buildings, Taylors Falls Elementary restroom remodeling and roof replacement projects, Chisago Lakes Primary School classroom additions and renovations, pick up/drop off and parking lot improvements, roof replacement projects and deferred capital maintenance projects at district sites.
For more information on how these funds would be used, view the District’s referendum website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of ballot question 1 would result in a property tax increase beginning with taxes payable in 2023, and the tax levies would remain in place for 10 years. Approval of ballot question 2 would result in a property tax increase beginning with taxes payable in 2023, and the debt service tax levies would remain in place for 20 years. To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot questions on your 2023 taxes, follow the instructions below or view sample property types and values here.
NOTE: Agricultural property will pay taxes for the proposed operating referendum based only on the value of the house, garage and one acre.
Your 2023 taxes will be based on the 2022 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which was provided on the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” mailed by your county in March. You can review the current value for taxes payable in 2022 using that “Notice of Valuation and Classification,” contact your county and ask for the 2022 EMV for taxes payable in 2023, or follow the instructions below to look up your 2022 EMV on your county’s website.
Chisago County
Property Tax Information - (651) 213-8500
Click on the link below and enter in your search criteria and select the most current year in the drop down. Select your parcel from the results screen. Scroll down to the “Assessment Year: 20XX” section and use the value listed as, “Est. Market Value – Total” in the calculator below.
Washington County
Property Records & Taxpayer Services - (651) 430-6175
Click on the link below and select the criteria by which you would like to search to find your parcel. Select your parcel from the results screen. Scroll down to the “Tax Payment Options” section highlighted in green on the right side of the screen and select to view your most current tax statement. Use the value listed in the top right as “Estimated Market Value” for that pay year in the calculator below.
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.
Agricultural 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. PLEASE NOTE: you may enter additional property IDs by clicking the "+" button at the end of each row.
If you have any questions, please call Ehlers at 1-800-552-1171 and ask to speak with a member of our Education Team.
School Building Bond Agricultural Credit
This property tax credit originally took effect with property taxes payable in 2018. For taxes payable in 2023 and later, the 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 would only apply to taxes approved under Question 2. The 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.
There are certain Minnesota Tax Credits and Deferrals that may affect certain property owners' situations. They include:
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Minnesota Homestead Credit Refund
If your household income is less than approximately $119,790, 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 $119,790
- Refund is on a sliding scale, based on your income and your total property tax burden
- The maximum refund is $2,930
- Also available to renters
- To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR
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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.
To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR.
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Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral
If you are 65 years or older and have a household income of $60,000 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