The Auditor-Treasurer receives payment of all current and delinquent property taxes. This department also calculates the tax rates, prepares the Truth in Taxation Notices and Property Tax Statements. This department handles all information regarding land transfers, elections and business license.
- The Auditor-Treasurer calculates tax rates and taxes due based on the levy request submitted by the county, cities, school districts and special taxing districts. After payment, apportions and disburses the proceeds to the various governmental subdivisions.
- Prepared the Truth in Taxation Notices and Property Tax Statements for every taxable real and personal property in Houston County.
- Maintains and collects property taxes and spreads the tax collections to the proper taxing district
- Works with tax credits and special tax deferments
- Maintains special assessments for cities and townships, applies the payments for collection and remits the annual installments to the proper taxing district
- Administers Tax increment Financing as it pertains to tax calculation
- Conducts Tax Forfeiture Land Sales on behalf of the county
- Maintains the tax roll through updates to ownership, splits, transfers and the combining parcel process
- Chief Elections Administrator for Houston County
- Serves as Deputy Registrar (License Center) for the county
- Processes liquor, auctioneer, transient merchants and peddlers license
- Acts as the bank and custodian of all County funds and cash assets
- Invest idle cash reserves into such banking instruments as CD’s (certificate of deposit) and Money Market (savings account)
- The department is required by law to maintain a set of records for all funds received and expended. Similar records are kept by the Houston County Finance Department. This provides a system of checks and balances necessary in all financial administration.
- The Auditor-Treasurer is elected by the citizens of Houston County to serve a four year term
- Send Tax Payments by mail (including tax stub(s) to:
Houston County Auditor-Treasurer
304 S. Marshall St. Room 112
Caledonia MN 55921 - Pay Taxes On-Line
- To pay by credit/debit, a 2.5% convenience fee will apply
- To pay be eCheck, a $1.50 convenience fee will apply
- Direct Payment Signup Form (ACH)
- Payment Box:
- Located at front door of Historic Courthouse at 304 S. Marshall St. in Caledonia (door facing the west)
- Please ensure your payment (check or money order made payable to Houston County Auditor-Treasurer) is clearly marked on outside of envelope with ‘Auditor-Treasurer’. The tax stub(s) should also be included with payment.
- Pay in Person:
- To pay in person, our office hours are 8 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday
- Please bring in your tax stub to:
Historic Courthouse – Room 112
304 S. Marshall St.
Caledonia MN 55921
- Please bring in your tax stub to:
- To pay in person, our office hours are 8 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday
- Parcel Search & GIS Information
- When are taxes due?
- Real Estate and Personal Property: First ½ due May 15th
- Real Estate and Personal Property: Second ½ due October 15th
- Property classed as Agricultural: First ½ due May 15th
- Property classed as Agricultural: Second ½ due November 15th
- Manufactured Homes: First ½ due August 31st
- Manufactured Homes: Second ½ due November 15th
- Please check the due dates printed on your tax statements
How do I calculate the penalty for a late tax payment?
On the back of your tax statement is a ‘Schedule of Penalties for late Payment of Property Tax’. The penalty rate changes on the day after due dates and the first day of every month. The schedule is complex and confusing: if you have any questions, please call the Auditor-Treasurer’s office at 507-725-5815
My property tax estimated market value is wrong: who can help me?
The Houston county Assessor’s office will assist you in determining the correct estimated market value. (507) 725-5801
Where do I change my Homestead status?
The office of the Houston County Assessor maintains all Homestead applications. Forms may be obtained by phone at (507) 725-5801
How do I change the owner’s name on my tax statement?
Real Estate Tax: A legal document transferring ownership of the property must be recorded in the Houston County Recorder’s office. It is advisable that the document be prepared by an attorney to ensure proper form and legality.
Manufactured Home Tax: A photo copy of the Certificate of Title with the new owner’s name must be sent to the Houston County Assessor’s office.
How do I remove my deceased spouse’s name from my tax statement?
Real Estate: A legal document such as an Affidavit of Survivorship or a document transferring ownership of the property must be recorder in the Houston Count Recorder’s office. A death certificate will not work. It is advisable that the document be prepared by an attorney to ensure proper form and legality.
Manufactured Homes: You must apply for a new Certificate of Title from a Deputy Registrar for MN Dept. of Motor Vehicle and present a photocopy of the new title to the Houston County Assessor’s office. The sellers name must remain on the tax rolls until the County receives the new title.
How are state Deed and Mortgage Registry taxes calculated?
State Deed tax is the selling price X .0033, or a fraction thereof, or total consideration conveyed by the deed. The seller is legally responsible for paying the deed tax. The deed tax is due upon the execution and delivery of the deed, not the recording.
Mortgage Registration tax is the selling price X .0023, or fraction thereof, of the principal debt which is secured by the mortgage. The MRT is to be imposed on the recording of the document. The MRT laws do not specifically address the question of who is legally responsible for paying the MRT. However, the laws are clear that a mortgage cannot be recorded until the MRT is paid.
Where can I get the dimension of my property? How can I tell where my property lines are?
The tax rolls contain summary descriptions of the property: complete legal descriptions should be obtained from the latest recorded deed.
It may be necessary for you to contract with a private surveyor to determine the actual property lines of your property. Houston County does not have surveys of all parcels in the county.
The Houston County Assessor’s office has detailed information on all property in the county including acreage, property dimensions, building square footage, type of construction, etc.
Where do I get a copy of my deed?
The Houston County Recorder’s office. (507) 725-5813
The amount of taxes on a certain piece of property?
Check this website, from the home page click on Property Search
Is tax information available on our website?
Yes, from this website’s home page, click on Property Search
Houston County Newspaper Bid Form
Official Newspaper Advertisement
Tax Supplemental Budget Information
Township - ISD 238
Township - ISD 239
Township - ISD 294
Township - ISD 297 (1)
Township - ISD 297 (2)
Township - ISD 299
Township - ISD 300
City of Houston - ISD 294
City of Spring Grove - ISD 297
City of Brownsville - ISD 299
City of Caledonia - ISD 299
City of Eitzen - ISD 299
City of Brownsville - ISD 300
City of La Crescent - ISD 300
To apply for a Passport or Renew a Passport, visit the Auditor-Treasurers Office in the Historic Courthouse at 304 S. Marshall St. in Caledonia– Room 112 – 1st Floor
To obtain a Passport Photo, visit the Recorders Office in the Historic Courthouse in the Historic Courthouse at 304 S. Marshall St. in Caledonia – Room 111 – 1st Floor
Items to bring along when applying for a Passport in person: (for most common types of requests)
- Valid Drivers License
- Certified Birth Certificate (not the one the hospital issues)
- At least three check blanks
Please bring Marriage License (in addition to the items listed above) if the name on Drivers License is still in maiden name and you are requesting the Passport to be issued in your married name
For additional information, visit the links below:
Auctioneer License
Minnesota Statute 330 requires that auctioneers in the state of Minnesota be licensed. Application for an auctioneer license is made in Houston County. Licenses are valid for one year.
- Resident – Visit the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – First Floor or call 507-725-5803 for more information
- Non-Resident – Visit the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – First Floor or call 507-725-5803 for more information
Canvasser/Solicitor License (30 day)
A canvasser or solicitor includes any person going from place to place taking or attempting to take orders for sale of goods or services for future delivery. This will not apply to salespeople who solicit orders from or sell to retail dealers for resale or to manufacturers for manufacturing purposes or to bidders for public works or supplies. A canvasser or solicitor also includes any person going from place to place requesting financial assistance of any kind for charitable, political, religious or other causes.
Visit the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – First Floor or call 507-725-5803 for more information
Gambling Permit
Permits to hold fundraising events by non-profit groups in Townships of Houston County are issued by the Minnesota Gambling Control Board. More information can be found at the MN Gambling Control Board web site and the forms are provided on the Gambling Permit and Other Forms page of the web site.
Before submitting your application to the MN Gambling Control Board, the application must be acknowledged and signed by Houston County. You may submit in person or by mail to:
Houston County Auditor-Treasurer's Office
Attn: Gambling Permit
304 S. Marshall St.
Caledonia MN55921
Visit the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – First Floor or call 507-725-5803 for more information
Liquor License
Houston County offers several different liquor licenses for establishments outside city limits.Establishments within city limits must apply to the municipal clerk in the city.
Houston County must approve and recommend the License Application to the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division.Depending on the license, the complete time frame from application to approval and license could take 8-12 week.
Visit the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – First Floor or call 507-725-5803 for more information
Peddler (30 day) License
A peddler is a canvasser, solicitor or traveling vendor who goes from house to house or street to street selling goods or merchandise he carries with him.
Visit the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – First Floor or call 507-725-5803
Tobacco License
Houston County issues tobacco licenses for all Townships and Cities within the county.
Visit the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – First Floor or call 507-725-5803 for more information
Transient Merchant License(7 day)
Anyone who engages in any temporary or transient business, locally or traveling place to place, within Houston County is required to obtain a Transient Merchant License.
The term "transient merchant" does not include a seller or exhibitor in a firearms collector show involving two or more sellers or exhibitors.
The license is valid at one sale location only and not valid for more than one person, unless that person is a member of a co-partnership. The license is only valid in Houston County.
Visit the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – First Floor or call 507-725-5803 for more information
Fireworks Permit
Visit the Sheriff’s Office in the Justice Center -First Floor or call 507-725-3379 for more information.
For Small Business Licenses, visit this website.
Guidelines for combining parcels:
- Parcels must be in the same section, township, range and school district
- The parcels must have identical ownership titles
- The parcels must have been previously transferred on the same type of documents
Ex: both parcels were transferred on Warranty Deeds or both on Quit Claim Deeds but can not be on one of each. - There can be no delinquent taxes on any of the parcels involved
Splitting Parcels Form
Forfeited Tax Sales
Notice of Expiration of Redemption
Final Stage of Tax Delinquency
- County Auditor-Treasurer files the Expiration of Redemption with the County Recorder
- The parcel is removed from the tax roll and the parcel forfeits to the state in trust for the local taxing districts
- County Auditor-Treasurer cancels all property tax and special assessments on the parcel
- County Board of Commissioners classifies the property, appraises the parcel and sets the terms and date of the Tax Forfeiture Land Sale
- Department of Revenue approves the classification and sale of the property
- Upon completion of the sale, the state issues a State Deed to the purchaser
- County Auditor-Treasurer deposits the revenue from the sale and distributes the net proceeds to the taxing districts
Public sale to be conducted by the Interim Auditor-Treasurer of Houston County on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 10:00am in the Commissioners Room 222, located on the 2nd floor of the Historic Houston County Courthouse located at 304 S. Marshall St., Caledonia, MN 55921
TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
PUBLIC SALES:
All tax forfeited land will be offered at a public sale and sold to the highest bidder. The minimum bid acceptable is the basic sale price that is shown on the list of tax-forfeited land.
TERMS:
All sales shall be for “Cash, Check, Money Order, or Credit Card (2.50% convenience fee), Day of Sale”. All sales are final and no provisions will be made for a refund or exchange. Checks will be made payable to “Houston County Treasurer”.
OTHER CHARGES (PAYMENT MADE AT TIME OF SALE):
- State Deed charge of $25 per deed.
- State Assurance Fund – 3% of the purchase price.
- State Deed Tax. The tax is based on the amount of the sale at the rate of $3.30 for each $1,000, with a minimum of $1.65.
- $46 Recording Fee per deed.
- $50 Fee if well certificate is needed.
CONDITIONS: RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF THE PROPERTIES
Sales are subject to the following restrictions on the use of the properties:
- Existing leases;
- Easements obtained by a governmental subdivision or state agency for a public purpose;
- Building codes and zoning laws;
- All sales are final with no refunds or exchanges allowed;
- The appraised value does not represent a basis for future taxes; and
- Buyer is purchasing property “AS IS”
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS: LEVIED BEFORE AND AFTER FORFEITURE
The balance of any special assessments that were levied before forfeiture and canceled at forfeiture are not included in the basic sale price and may be reassessed by the municipality. These special assessments are shown on the list of tax forfeited land under the column entitled “Special Assessments Subject to Reassessment.”
Local improvement constructed, but not yet assessed, must be assumed by the purchaser.
IMPORTANT: To find out if a particular tax forfeited parcel may be assessed or re-assessed please contact the local municipality the parcel is located in.
PROHIBITED PURCHASERS:
The County Auditor per MN Statute 282.016 has the authority to prohibit a person or entity from purchasing a tax forfeited property if that person or entity owns property within the county for which there are delinquent taxes owing.
STRAW BUYERS:
Straw buyers are prohibited from purchasing or bidding on a tax forfeited property for the previous owner as described in MN Statute 282.241 for an amount less than the sum of all delinquent taxes and assessments computed under MN Statute 282.251, together with penalties, interest, and costs, that accrued or would have accrued if the parcel of land had not forfeited to the state.
TITLE:
The buyer will receive a receipt at the time of sale.
The Department of Revenue will issue a state quitclaim deed after full payment is made. A state deed has the characteristics of a patent from the State of Minnesota.
BOUNDARIES:
Houston County is not responsible for locating boundaries on Tax Forfeited Lands.
RADON WARNING STATEMENT
The Minnesota Department of Health strongly recommends that ALL homebuyers have an indoor radon test performed prior to purchase or taking occupancy and recommends having the radon levels mitigated if elevated radon concentrations are found. Elevated radon concentrations can easily be reduced by a qualified, certified or licensed, if applicable, radon mitigator.
Every buyer of any interest in residential real property is notified that the property may present exposure to dangerous levels of indoor radon gas that may place the occupants at risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer. Radon, a Class A human carcinogen, is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading cause overall. The seller of any interest in residential real property is required to provide the buyer with any information on radon test results of the dwelling.
Houston County is not aware of any radon testing conducted on any of these properties. No radon records are available and radon concentration levels are unknown. It is not known if a radon mitigation system is in place on any of the properties.
PRIVATE SALES: PARCELS NOT SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION
Any parcel not sold at a public sale may be purchased after the sale by paying the basic sale price plus other charges. The basic sale price cannot be changed until the parcel is reappraised, republished, and again offered at a later public sale.
SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:
Houston County Auditor/Treasurer Office, 304 S. Marshall St., Caledonia, MN 55921
Phone: 507-725-5803
Email: auditor@co.houston.mn.us
Website: co.houston.mn.us/departments/auditor-treasurer/
Am I eligible to vote?
You are eligible to vote in Minnesota if you:
- Are at least 18 years or older
- Are a citizen of the United States
- Are a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days before Election Day
- Have any felony conviction record discharged, expired, or completed
- Are not under a guardianship in which a court order revokes the right to vote
- Have not been ruled legally incompetent by a court of law
Register to Vote Here OR stop by the Houston County Auditor-Treasurers Office at: 304 S. Marshall St. in Caledonia between 8 AM and 4 PM Monday-Friday. (Room 116 in the Historic Courthouse – first floor)
How do I know where to vote?
Use the Secretary of State's Pollfinder Website, to locate your polling place
Absentee Voting questions can be directed to:
Houston County Auditor-Treasurers Office at 304 S. Marshall St. in Caledonia - Room 116 – first floor of Historic Court house OR by calling: 1-507-725-5803
The office is charged with administering Federal, State and County elections. These duties include the maintenance of the Voter Registration System, candidate filing, training of election judges, providing oversight on polling place issues for all precincts, ordering ballots and supplies for all precincts, tabulation of election night results, and conducting canvassing.
Township Election Polling Place Info
Poll Pad Training Video/PAT Testing
Houston County Polling Places 2024
Campaign Finance Reports 2022
November 8th, 2022 General State Election
County Write-Ins
August 9th, 2022 State Primary Canvass Reports
State Primary Canvass Report - State Federal
State Primary Canvass Report - County
State Primary Canvass Report - Special Election Congress District 1 Write-ins
State Primary Canvass Report - Special Elections Congress District 1
Elections Information
Register to Vote Here
Military and Overseas Voters Register Here
Absentee Ballot Application Here
Election Information
Voter Information from the Secretary of State
Use the Secretary of State's Pollfinder Website, to locate your polling place: http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us
State Auditor's Office
The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) serves as a watchdog for Minnesota taxpayers by helping to ensure financial integrity, accountability, and cost-effectiveness in local government. Through financial, compliance, and special audits, the OSA oversees and ensures that local government funds are used for the purposes intended by law. http://www.auditor.state.mn.us
Township Officer/Elected Official Listing
The Auditor's Office maintains a current listing of elected Township Officers, City Officers, County Officials, School Boards, and State and Federal Legislators. These are available at the Auditor's Office for a fee of $5.00.
Important Election Dates for 2022 - 2023:
- Primary Election Tuesday, August 9, 2022
- General Election Tuesday, November 8, 2022
- Township Elections Tuesday, March 14, 2023
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION PRIMARY ELECTION VOTING:
You will be required to select the major political party you wish to vote for before receiving you ballots. This is true whether you vote by absentee ballot in advance of election day or at the polling place on election day.
Absentee Voting Dates: (starts 46 days before the Election and ends the day before actual Election)
- Primary General Election: August 9, 2022 ( Absentee starts June 24, 2022 )
- General Election: November 8, 2022 ( Absentee starts September 23, 2022 )
Election Training
Clerk and Head Judge Training: Dates to be announced
Election Judge Training: Dates to be announced
Public Accuracy Testing: General Election - Wed, Nov. 2nd: 9:00 am. in the Commissioner's Room
Poll Pad Refresher Course: Online version coming soon
Candidate Filing
2020
- Jack Miller - Commissioner District 1
- Dewey Severson - Commissioner Dist 1
- Scott Yeiter - Commissioner Dist 1
- Robert H. Burns - Commissioner District 3
- Greg Myhre - Commissioner District 5
- Kenneth Anderson - RRSWCD Dist 3
- Glenn Kruse - RRSWCD Dist 4
- Matthew Feldmeier - RRSWCD Dist 5
Campaign Finance Reports
2020
- Matthew Feldmeier
- Dewey Severson
- Kenneth Anderson
- Robert Burns
- Glenn Kruse
- Scott Yeiter
- Greg Myhre
- Char Meiners
Past Reports
- Fred Arnold
- Bev Bauer
- Bruce Bulman
- Scott Connor
- Duane Conniff
- Doug Ely
- Cecil Graf
- Dan Griffin
- Bruce Kuehmichel
- Mark Inglett
- Sam Jandt
- Eric Johnson
- Loren Lapham
- Char Meiners
- Jack Miller
- Larry Salm
- Bob Scanlan
- Steve Schuldt
- Susan K. Schwebach
- Roger Stenhoff
- Judy Storlie
- Donna Trehus
- Ken Tschumper
- Ken Visger
- Teresa Walter
- Justin Zmyewski
- Roger Lamm Jr.
- Ryan Stenzel
- Becky Konieczny-Peterson
- Jerry Welke
In Person: Visit the Auditor-Treasurer Office in Houston County. The Historic Courthouse is located at 304 S. Marshall Street in Caledonia MN 55921 - Room 116 - first floor
By Mail: To vote by mail, you must submit an application for an absentee ballot. You may request an absentee ballot by contacting the Auditor-Treasurer Office.
Polly Heberlein
Interim Houston County Auditor-Treasurer
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Auditor-Treasurer's Office
304 S. Marshall St.
Caledonia, MN 55921
P: 507-725-5803
F: 507-725-2647