Benton County homeowners pay a median of $2,651 a year in property tax on a median home value of $271,000. Its effective tax rate (property taxes paid as a share of home values, per the Tax Foundation) is 0.92%, the 45th highest of 85 Minnesota counties. The Benton County Assessor values every home in Benton County as of January 2 each year. Usually your city or town board hears your appeal first. If your city has handed that job to the county, the Benton County County Board of Appeal and Equalization hears it in June, after an open book review.
Varies, some openThe local and county board window for the 2026 assessment closed in June 2026. You can still file a Minnesota Tax Court petition for that assessment (taxes payable in 2027) until April 30, 2027. The next board window opens April 1, 2027, for values set as of January 2, 2027.
There are two windows. Board window: your city or town's Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (or its open book meeting) meets between April 1 and May 31. The County Board of Appeal and Equalization meets in June, and by law it cannot take any action after June 30. Tax Court window: you may file a petition in the Minnesota Tax Court by April 30 of the year your taxes are payable. You do not have to go to the boards first. Example: in Washington County, the county board met on June 17, 2026, and you had to call by May 1, 2026 to get a time. Example for Tax Court: for the 2025 assessment (taxes payable in 2026), the petition was due April 30, 2026.
Phone: 320-968-5019
Email: [email protected]
Address: 531 Dewey Street, Foley, MN 56329
The assessor values your home each January 2, mails your valuation notice, and can often settle a question by phone before you go to a board.
Each year the assessor mails a valuation notice to each property owner at least 10 days before the local board meets. The notice shows this year's market value and last year's, the classification, and the dates and places of the local and county board meetings. Notices are typically sent in March.
Look up your home on the Benton County Assessor website and check square footage, bathrooms, condition and features. Mistakes are the easiest wins. Use our record card checklist.
Call the Benton County Assessor first. Then attend your city or town's Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting, held April 1 to May 31; the dates are on your valuation notice. If your city has handed its board powers to the county, go to the open book meeting in April or May, then to the Benton County County Board of Appeal and Equalization in June. To go to Tax Court, file a petition with the district court in Benton County County by April 30 of the year your taxes are payable.
A recent appraisal by a licensed appraiser. In Tax Court, the appraiser must attend the hearing if the report is used.; Your purchase contract and closing statement, if you bought in a recent sale between unrelated buyer and seller; Sales of similar nearby homes, with size, age, lot and condition, to show market value; Corrections to your property record, such as dimensions, age and condition, from your valuation notice or the assessor's card.
The law assumes the county assessor has valued your property correctly until you prove otherwise. At the boards you must show why the value is wrong and what your home is worth. In Tax Court you are the petitioner, so the burden of proof is on you. You must show the market value on the assessment date.
Next step: Minnesota Tax Court. April 30 of the year your taxes are payable. For the 2026 assessment (values as of January 2, 2026, taxes payable in 2027), file by April 30, 2027. The statute sets April 30 as the date. Some counties, such as Washington and Hennepin, say that if April 30 falls on a weekend, you may file on the next business day. Do not count on that: file by the last business day before April 30. Fill out the Minnesota Tax Court Real Property Tax Petition. Attach a copy of your valuation notice or property tax statement. Give a copy to the county auditor by hand, unless the county allows another way. Then file the petition, the attachment, proof of service and the filing fee with the district court in the county where the property is. You can file in person, by mail or online. Filing fee: $310 for the Regular Division or $150 for the Small Claims Division, plus a county law library fee of about $10 to $15. Ask the court administrator in your county for the current amount. If you cannot pay, you can ask for a fee waiver. The case is sent to the Tax Court after filing. You must also pay part of the tax on time while the case is pending.
Enter the market value on your assessment notice and what you think the home would really sell for. We estimate the yearly saving if the board agrees with you.
Some states cap how fast the taxable value of a home can rise (California, Florida, Michigan and Texas homesteads, for example). If your taxable value is already held below market value by a cap, a lower market value may not lower this year's bill.
Fill in your details and download a written appeal statement as a PDF or Word file. Most boards also require their own appeal form: file the form and attach this letter and your evidence to it.
Tax Appeal Map is a free information site, not a law firm or appraiser. The letter is a template, not legal advice.
There are two windows. Board window: your city or town's Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (or its open book meeting) meets between April 1 and May 31. The County Board of Appeal and Equalization meets in June, and by law it cannot take any action after June 30. Tax Court window: you may file a petition in the Minnesota Tax Court by April 30 of the year your taxes are payable. You do not have to go to the boards first. Example: in Washington County, the county board met on June 17, 2026, and you had to call by May 1, 2026 to get a time. Example for Tax Court: for the 2025 assessment (taxes payable in 2026), the petition was due April 30, 2026.
Start with the Benton County Assessor. If you still disagree, go to your city or town's Local Board of Appeal and Equalization in April or May, then to the Benton County County Board of Appeal and Equalization in June, or file a Tax Court petition in district court by April 30.
Phone 320-968-5019. Website: bentoncountymn.gov.
No fee for the boards was found in the sources we checked.
Contact details change; call or check the office website before you visit.