Saving money shouldn't cost a fortune
Ramsey County is experiencing a massive property tax crisis, confirmed by official data showing a 42.4% surge in new tax petitions filed with the Minnesota Tax Court. Homeowners are rightfully fighting back against rising valuations, but the process is complex, time-consuming, and deliberately intimidating. LocalTaxCut.com delivers the professional, data-driven evidence you need to file a winning appeal yourself and keep 100% of your tax savings.
Enter your property details to instantly see your current assessment data, local market facts, and recent sales information to start building your appeal.
This information represents a valuable glimpse into the comprehensive data available to assist you in challenging your assessment.
Complexity, Cost, and the Burden of Proof
Homeowners who disagree with their annual Notice of Valuation face "choice paralysis" between two strategic, but complex, appeal routes:
This multi-step route involves contacting the Assessor informally, then appealing sequentially to the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (LBAE) and the County Board of Appeal and Equalization (CBAE). The CBAE requires a formal submission by a strict deadline, typically May 5.
Homeowners can bypass the boards and appeal directly to the Minnesota Tax Court. This is a formal, quasi-judicial process defined by a complex 7-step guide and must be filed by April 30.
The Minnesota Tax Court path, while direct, is procedurally intensive and costly:
Petitions to the Tax Court must be filed on or before April 30 of the year the tax is payable. Missing this deadline forfeits your appeal rights.
Filing a petition with the Tax Court involves mandatory fees: $150 for Small Claims Division (plus Law Library fee) or $310 for Regular Division (plus Law Library fee). These costs are in addition to any representation fees.
In Ramsey County, the burden of proof lies squarely with the property owner to demonstrate, with compelling evidence, that the Assessor's valuation is incorrect.
While Ramsey County offers online lookup tools, they are designed merely for basic data retrieval and are not equipped to generate the analytical reports of comparable sales needed to build a persuasive appeal.
Homeowners lack access to the professional tools and expertise required to perform a credible comparative market analysis, creating a significant informational disadvantage against the County Assessor's Office and its mass appraisal system.
Win Your Appeal, Keep Your 100% Savings
The current competitive landscape in Ramsey County is dominated by traditional firms who charge high contingency fees, often taking 50% of your first year's tax savings. LocalTaxCut.com disrupts this model with a fully compliant, cost-effective "DIY-with-Data" solution.
| Challenge | LocalTaxCut.com Advantage | Financial Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| High Cost of Representation | You pay a single, low flat fee ($75) | You maximize your return, retaining 100% of the resulting tax savings |
| The Data Analysis Barrier | We provide a professionally curated Comparable Sales Analysis, filtering data and performing necessary market adjustments | You overcome the burden of proof and gain the confidence required to challenge the Assessor successfully |
| Procedural Intimidation | Your package includes tailored guidance for meetings with the Assessor or navigating the complex 7-step Tax Court Petition process | You gain a "data shield," leveling the playing field against government appraisers |
A list of the most favorable, market-appropriate comparable sales, analyzed and ready for submission to the Assessor or the CBAE.
A report detailing your property's characteristics to identify any factual errors the mass appraisal system may have missed.
Clear educational instructions explaining how to complete the official Ramsey County appeal forms (CBAE) or the Minnesota Tax Court Form 7.
Three simple steps to arm yourself with the data you need.
Get your free, instant property analysis, including your assessment and local market data.
For a flat fee, get our full data package with comparable sales and strategic evidence to build your strongest case.
Use our data to confidently file your appeal with the county and keep 100% of your savings.
Minnesota property owners first appeal to their city's Local Board of Appeal and Equalization. Meetings typically occur in April each year. You must appear in person (or virtually if offered) to present your case. The board consists of elected officials who review evidence and can adjust valuations.
You'll need to demonstrate that your property's estimated market value exceeds its actual market value with comparable sales data and property information. The local board can increase, decrease, or maintain your current assessment.
Notice of local board meetings must be published at least 10 days in advance. Meeting dates vary by city within Ramsey County.
If unsatisfied with the local board's decision, you can appeal to the Ramsey County Board of Appeal and Equalization, which typically meets in June. You must file within 20 days of the local board's adjournment.
The county board reviews cases similarly to local boards but has countywide jurisdiction. This is your opportunity to present additional evidence or re-argue your case with new information.
If still unsatisfied after the county board, you can petition the Minnesota Tax Court. Petitions must be filed by April 30 of the year following the assessment year (or within 60 days of receiving an abatement order).
Tax Court is more formal than board proceedings. You can choose between the Small Claims Division (simplified process, decisions are final) or Regular Division (formal process, appealable to Minnesota Supreme Court). Filing fees apply.
Tax Court requires comprehensive evidence and follows formal evidentiary rules. Many property owners hire attorneys or appraisers for Tax Court proceedings.