Overview

Tax abatements are a method for adjusting a property’s taxes by changing the market value or classification associated with that property. These changes are made to correct clerical errors that were not discovered until the taxes were billed.

A tax abatement is a formal, written request, made to Houston County. Tax abatements cannot be used to replace the normal appeals process. The normal appeals process begins when Valuation Notices are mailed. These notices are mailed out every March. For more information on appealing your property’s value or classification, visit the Appeal an Assessment Page.

How to File an Abatement

To request a tax abatement visit the Houston County Assessor’s Office at 304 S. Marshall Street in Caledonia, or call 507-725-5801 for more information. You must submit an Application for Property Tax Abatement to begin the abatement process.

Your application for abatement must then be approved by the County Assessor, County Auditor-Treasurer, and the Houston County Commissioners. This may take 6–8 weeks, or longer in some instances.

When to File an Abatement

Abatements are filed in the year the taxes are due, in most cases. They can be filed for an additional two-year period if the applicant can prove a clerical error was made, or if there was a valid hardship that prevented the owner from appealing sooner. A clerical error is typically a data entry or mathematical error.

Damaged or Destroyed Property

If your property’s buildings have been unintentionally or accidentally destroyed due to a natural disaster, or destroyed due to arson or vandalism by someone other than the owner, you may be eligible for property tax relief through a disaster abatement. Application for Local Option Disaster Abatement and Credits