Disaster Relief for Property Damage
If your property was unintentionally damaged or destroyed by arson or vandalism during recent civil unrest, you may be eligible for a property tax abatement or credit for taxes payable in 2020 and/or 2021.
The Assessor's Office is in the process of identifying and reviewing affected properties to determine eligibility and estimate a reassessed value based on the amount of structural damage.
If your property was damaged and you have not received correspondence from the Assessor's Office, call 651-266-2131 or send an email.
Frequently asked questions
Is the reassessment required?
Yes, Minnesota Statute 273.1232 requires that all damaged property in a disaster area or emergency area must be reassessed. This is to capture how much damage was caused from the disaster by comparing the reassessed post-disaster value with the previous value.
Who is responsible for the reassessment?
The Ramsey County Assessor’s Office is responsible for the reassessment.
What do I need to do if my property was damaged?
The Ramsey County Assessor’s Office has sent notification via USPS mail to all property owners that have been identified as having any property damage. If you have not received a notice from the Assessor’s Office you should call 651-266-2131 or email [email protected].
You will be asked to complete the Disaster Reassessment Intake Form available on the Ramsey County Assessor’s website.
You will be asked to provide the property address, property identification number, kind of damage, amount of damage, timeline for repair or reconstruction and you will be able to provide additional documentation such as photos, repair estimates from contractors or other supporting information.
How is the reassessed value calculated?
The assessor will review the initial damage information and photographs, supporting documentation from the property owner, fire reports, aerial imagery taken post damage and conduct an exterior inspection if needed (if the amount of structure damage is still unclear).
The percent of damage is applied to the value of the building (the value of land is not impacted by the reassessment) and the assessor calculates the reassessed value.
What is the timeline for the reassessment?
The timeline has not been finalized, however, The Assessor’s Office expects to conduct property reviews and collect the applications and supporting documentation starting in July 2020.
This work is estimated to be done by September 30, 2020. Once completed, information will be sent to the Ramsey County Auditor's Office who must recalculate the tax amounts.
The Assessor’s Office will work with the Auditor’s Office to complete the application and supporting documents to be sent to the State requesting property tax relief. This is due November 1, 2020.
Is an application required?
Yes, for properties that sustained 50 percent or more damage and qualify for an abatement/credit, an application is required. The assessor will provide you an application.
What types of property tax relief are available?
Property taxes of owners whose property has been unintentionally damaged or destroyed by arson or vandalism, by someone other than the property owner, may qualify for a property tax abatement and/or credit for taxes payable in 2020 and 2021. The abatement and/or credit will be determined according to law.
Is the county a declared disaster or emergency area?
There are several requirements that must be met and steps in the application process for an area to be declared a “disaster or emergency area.”
On May 29, 2020, the Chair of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners declared Ramsey County to be in a Local State of Emergency effective the 28th day of May 2020 due to the continued response to and recovery from violence, theft and property damage.
This declaration met the first requirement for the county to be declared a “disaster or emergency area.” Once the reassessment is complete an application will be submitted to the State for consideration to be declared “disaster or emergency area.”
What is the difference if the county is considered a disaster or emergency area?
There are two main differences, if the county is a declared “disaster or emergency area:”
- the cost of the abatements/credits will be reimbursed by the State to the local jurisdictions, and
- the calculation is more generous in that property owners receive a full year abatement and credit for a full year’s tax on the loss of market value due to the damage.