Fillmore County Property Tax Records

Fillmore County property tax records are maintained by the county assessor and auditor-treasurer in Preston, Minnesota. You can search parcel data, check assessed values, and review tax payment history through the county website or Beacon online tool. This page covers how to access Fillmore County property tax records, how the local assessment process works, and what options are available for homestead applications, payments, and value appeals.

How Fillmore County Property Taxes Work

Property taxes in Fillmore County follow the same statewide framework that governs all Minnesota counties. The county assessor values every parcel as of January 2 each year under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 273. That value is used to calculate the taxes you pay the following year. Fillmore County is located in the bluff country of southeastern Minnesota, with a mix of farms, small towns, and rural parcels spread across the county.

The auditor-treasurer handles billing and collection. Tax statements go out by March 31. Taxes are split into two equal halves. First half is due May 15. Second half is due October 15. If you miss either date, interest and penalties start under MN Statutes Chapter 279. Properties with unpaid taxes for an extended period can enter the forfeiture process governed by Chapter 279 and Chapter 282.

Each fall, Fillmore County and its taxing districts set levy amounts through the Truth in Taxation process under Chapter 275. Your tax bill reflects levies from the county, cities and townships, school districts, and any applicable special districts. Agricultural land in Fillmore County often carries a lower class rate than residential property, which can affect what farm owners pay compared to homeowners in the same area.

Fillmore County is home to a significant amount of farmland. Agricultural classification under state law can meaningfully lower the effective tax burden on farm parcels.

Search Fillmore County Property Tax Records Online

The main online tool for searching Fillmore County property tax records is Beacon by Schneider Geospatial. Beacon lets you search by owner name, property address, or parcel identification number. You can view assessed values, tax amounts, land and building value breakdowns, ownership information, and parcel maps. The system is free and available at beacon.schneidercorp.com.

The Fillmore County website at co.fillmore.mn.us links to the assessor and auditor-treasurer departments. The assessor's page at co.fillmore.mn.us/departments/assessor covers homestead applications, classification details, and how to start an appeal. The auditor-treasurer's page at co.fillmore.mn.us/departments/auditor-treasurer covers billing, payment, and tax statement information. Both offices are at 101 Fillmore Street in Preston. Assessor: (507) 765-3359. Auditor-Treasurer: (507) 765-3811.

For statewide property data, the Minnesota Department of Revenue publishes county-level statistics at revenue.state.mn.us. The MnGeo parcel boundary layer at mngeo.state.mn.us provides geospatial parcel data for Fillmore County and the rest of the state.

The screenshot below shows the Minnesota DOR property tax burden report page, which provides data relevant to all Minnesota counties including Fillmore.

The DOR burden report at revenue.state.mn.us/property-tax-burden-voss-report covers tax burden data across all Minnesota counties and property types.

Fillmore County Assessor Office

The Fillmore County Assessor values all real and personal property in the county each year. The office covers residential homes, agricultural land, commercial properties, and vacant parcels. Under MN Statutes Chapter 273, property must be assessed at full market value unless a classification applies. The assessor's office manages homestead applications, agricultural classification requests, and questions about estimated market values for parcels throughout the county.

If you believe your property value is too high, your first step is to contact the assessor at (507) 765-3359. Staff can walk you through the basis for your current assessed value and review your record. Bring any evidence that supports a lower valuation, such as recent sales data for comparable properties in your area. If the review does not resolve the issue, you can appeal to the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization in spring under Chapter 274.

Paying Fillmore County Property Taxes

The Fillmore County Auditor-Treasurer handles all property tax billing and collection. Tax statements are mailed by March 31. Payments are due in two halves each year. First half is due May 15. Second half is due October 15. If your homestead property has a total tax bill of $100 or less, you can pay the full amount by May 15. The auditor-treasurer's office can be reached at (507) 765-3811 and is located at 101 Fillmore Street in Preston.

You can pay in person at the courthouse during regular business hours. Mail payments are accepted. Check the auditor-treasurer's page at co.fillmore.mn.us/departments/auditor-treasurer for any online payment options currently available. Keep your tax statement and parcel ID on hand whenever you contact the office. If you send a payment by mail, use the remittance slip from your tax statement and leave yourself enough lead time before the deadline.

Unpaid taxes accumulate interest and penalties under Chapter 279. Properties with taxes unpaid for multiple years can be forfeited to the state. The Minnesota Department of Revenue's interactive data tool at revenue.state.mn.us/interactive-property-tax-data shows levy rates and assessment trends for Fillmore County alongside all other Minnesota counties.

The DOR's interactive data tool covers levy rates, assessed values, and tax payment trends across all Minnesota counties including Fillmore.

Homestead Classification in Fillmore County

Homestead classification reduces the class rate on your primary home, which lowers your annual property tax bill. In Fillmore County, you apply for homestead through the assessor's office. You must own and occupy the property as your main home by December 1, and you must file the application by December 31. You will need your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to complete the application. The assessor uses that information to verify the property is your primary residence rather than a rental or seasonal home.

Under MN Statutes Chapter 273, homestead residential property is taxed at a lower class rate than non-homestead residential property. If you recently purchased a home in Preston or elsewhere in Fillmore County, confirm whether homestead status was already on file and whether you need to refile. The assessor can check your current classification over the phone or in person at the courthouse.

Residents with limited incomes may qualify for the Minnesota Property Tax Refund. You claim it using Form M1PR through the Minnesota Department of Revenue at revenue.state.mn.us. Both homeowners and renters can apply for this statewide program.

Fillmore County Land Records and Recorder

The Fillmore County Recorder records deeds, mortgages, and other documents that affect real property in the county. When property is sold or a lien is placed, the transaction is recorded here. Deed tax paid at the time of recording is governed by MN Statutes Chapter 272. Sale information from newly recorded deeds feeds into the assessor's market analysis for valuing other properties in the area.

You can access recorder resources through the county site at co.fillmore.mn.us/departments/recorder. The recorder's office holds historical land records covering ownership chains, easements, and plat maps. Beacon also displays current ownership data alongside parcel tax records, allowing a single search to pull up both assessment and ownership information. For statewide parcel data, the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office maintains a land ownership layer at mngeo.state.mn.us.

Appealing a Fillmore County Property Tax Assessment

If you believe the assessor has valued your Fillmore County property too high, you have the right to appeal. Start by calling the assessor's office at (507) 765-3359 or visiting the courthouse in Preston. Staff will review your property record and explain how the current value was set. Many disputes get resolved here without requiring a formal board hearing. Bring supporting evidence if you have it, such as a recent appraisal or sales prices for similar properties nearby.

If the assessor's review does not satisfy you, you can attend the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization hearing in spring under Chapter 274. After that, you can appeal to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization. If you still disagree, you can file a petition with the Minnesota Tax Court. The Tax Court is the final statewide forum for property tax disputes. You can reach them at (651) 539-3260 or through mn.gov/tax-court. Under Chapter 278, you must file your Tax Court petition by April 30 of the year the taxes are payable.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Fillmore County. Each has its own assessor and auditor-treasurer managing property tax records locally.