Search Houston County Property Tax Records

Houston County property tax records are maintained by the county assessor and auditor-treasurer in Caledonia, Minnesota. The county sits in the far southeast corner of the state along the Mississippi River bluffs, and most of its parcels are rural agricultural and wooded land with a smaller share of residential and commercial properties. You can look up parcel data, assessed values, and tax history through the Beacon online search tool or by contacting the county offices directly. This page covers how to find Houston County property tax records, how the local assessment process works, and where to go if you need to pay taxes or file an appeal.

How Houston County Property Taxes Work

Property taxes in Houston County follow the standard Minnesota framework. The county assessor values each parcel as of January 2 each year under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 273. That assessed value determines the tax you owe the following year. Houston County has a strong agricultural base along with timber and recreational land in its bluff areas, which means the assessor's office works with a mix of farm, woodland, and residential classifications.

The auditor-treasurer handles tax billing and collection. Statements go out by March 31. Taxes are split into two equal halves: first half due May 15, second half due October 15 under MN Statutes Chapter 276. Missing either deadline triggers penalties and interest under Chapter 279. If taxes remain unpaid over time, the county can eventually start forfeiture proceedings under Chapter 282. Most owners who fall behind receive multiple notices before any such action begins.

The Truth in Taxation process under Chapter 275 requires the county and local taxing districts to hold public meetings each fall before setting the levy. Houston County, local townships, school districts, and any special taxing districts all contribute to the total rate that appears on your statement. That rate can vary noticeably from one township or city to the next.

Note: Agricultural land in Houston County may qualify for the Green Acres program or other special agricultural classifications that can significantly reduce the taxable value.

Search Houston County Property Tax Records Online

The main online tool for searching Houston County property tax records is the Beacon system by Schneider Geospatial. Beacon lets you search by owner name, address, or parcel identification number. You can view current assessed values, tax amounts, land and building breakdowns, ownership history, and parcel maps. The system is free to use and available at beacon.schneidercorp.com. It covers all parcels in the county and is the fastest way to get parcel-level data without making a phone call.

The Houston County website at co.houston.mn.us has direct links to the assessor and auditor-treasurer departments. The assessor's page covers classification questions, homestead applications, and appeal procedures. The auditor-treasurer page covers tax payments and statement information. Both offices are located at 304 S Marshall Street in Caledonia.

For statewide resources, the Minnesota Department of Revenue publishes county-level property tax data and statistics at revenue.state.mn.us. The MnGeo parcel data service at mngeo.state.mn.us also includes Houston County boundary and ownership data.

The screenshot below is from the Houston County auditor-treasurer page, which provides tax payment and statement information for property owners in the county.

The auditor-treasurer page at co.houston.mn.us covers tax due dates, payment methods, and tax statement details for Houston County property owners.

Houston County Assessor Office

The Houston County Assessor values all real and personal property in the county each year as of January 2. This includes farmland, homes, commercial buildings, timber land, and vacant parcels. Under MN Statutes Chapter 273, all property must be valued at 100 percent of estimated market value unless a special classification applies. For agricultural land, that classification can make a big difference in the amount of tax owed.

The assessor's office at co.houston.mn.us/departments/assessor/ handles homestead applications, agricultural classifications, and questions about how your value was set. If you think your property is overassessed, start here. The assessor can review your parcel and explain the valuation method. Informal conversations at this stage often resolve concerns before any formal appeal is needed. You can reach the assessor at (507) 725-5801.

The screenshot below is from the Houston County assessor page, which covers property classification, homestead, and appeal information for parcels in the county.

The assessor's page at co.houston.mn.us covers valuation methods, homestead classification, and how to contact the office with questions about your assessment.

Paying Houston County Property Taxes

The Houston County Auditor-Treasurer manages property tax billing and collection. Tax statements are mailed by March 31 each year. You pay in two installments: first half by May 15, second half by October 15. If total taxes on a property are under $100 and the property is a homestead, you can pay the full amount by May 15 instead of splitting it.

You can pay in person at the auditor-treasurer's office at 304 S Marshall Street in Caledonia. The phone number is (507) 725-5803. Mail payment is also accepted. Check the county's auditor-treasurer page at co.houston.mn.us/departments/auditor-treasurer/ for current payment methods and any online options that may be available. Always keep your parcel identification number handy when you contact the office, as it helps staff locate your account quickly.

If taxes go unpaid past the due dates, penalties and interest start under Chapter 279. Long-term delinquent taxes can result in the property being forfeited to the state under Chapter 282. Houston County posts notices well in advance of any forfeiture action.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue administers the Form M1PR Property Tax Refund for qualifying homeowners and renters. This is a state-level credit based on income and property taxes paid. You can learn more and file at revenue.state.mn.us.

Homestead Classification in Houston County

Homestead status reduces the class rate applied to your primary residence, which lowers your annual tax bill. In Houston County, you apply through the assessor's office. You must own the property, occupy it as your primary home by December 1, and submit the application by December 31. Once granted, homestead status continues automatically from year to year as long as the ownership and occupancy requirements are met. You do not need to reapply every year.

The application asks for your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number so the assessor can confirm the home is your primary residence and not a second home, rental, or seasonal property. Under MN Statutes Chapter 273, homestead residential property carries a lower class rate than non-homestead residential. The difference shows up directly on your tax statement. In rural counties like Houston where homes are modestly valued, homestead classification can save a few hundred dollars per year.

If you are a relative of the property owner and live in the home as your primary residence, you may qualify for a relative homestead classification. Contact the assessor's office to see if your situation qualifies.

Note: The state Form M1PR refund is a separate benefit from homestead classification and is administered by the Minnesota Department of Revenue, not the county.

Houston County Land Records and Recorder

The Houston County Recorder's office records deeds, mortgages, and other real property documents. When a property changes hands, the deed is filed here and the deed tax is paid under MN Statutes Chapter 272. That sale data feeds into the assessor's market analysis for setting assessed values in the area. Land records in Houston County go back many decades and are a key resource for title research, ownership history, and verifying legal descriptions.

You can access the recorder's office at co.houston.mn.us/departments/recorder/ or visit in person at the courthouse in Caledonia. The Beacon parcel search tool also pulls ownership data that is connected to recorded deeds, so searching Beacon is often a good first step before contacting the recorder directly. This is helpful for anyone researching property in the county who needs both the tax record and the ownership history in one place.

The screenshot below is from the Houston County main website, which connects to all property-related departments including the assessor, auditor-treasurer, and recorder.

The county's main site at co.houston.mn.us links to assessor, auditor-treasurer, and recorder offices in one place.

Appealing Your Houston County Property Tax Assessment

If you think the assessor has overvalued your property in Houston County, you have the right to appeal. Start by contacting the assessor's office at (507) 725-5801. Informal reviews at this stage often fix the issue faster than going through a formal hearing. If the assessor's review doesn't resolve your concern, you can appear before the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization, which meets in spring under Chapter 274. You need to attend this meeting in person to preserve your right to go further in the appeal process.

After the local board, you can appeal to the Houston County Board of Appeal and Equalization. If you still disagree, the final step is a petition to the Minnesota Tax Court. The Tax Court can be reached at (651) 539-3260 or at mn.gov/tax-court. Tax Court petitions must be filed by April 30 of the year the taxes are payable, as required by Chapter 278. Missing that date closes off the Tax Court option for that assessment year.

Nearby Counties

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