• Changes to the tax levy (amount of money requested by taxing jurisdictions for operations) made by the city, county, school district or special taxing districts
• Changes to the market value of your property
• Changes in the market values for the area or a particular type of property (example: agricultural)
• Legislative changes to the property classification rates, state aid formulas and other tax laws
• Legislative unfounded mandates (usually seen as an increase in local government tax levy)
• New taxes approved by referendum
• Changes to the homestead laws

In Minnesota, property taxes provide most of the funding for local government services.  Each property’s share of the property tax burden is determined according to its value and use.  The County Assessor’s Office collects, tabulates, and updates property data annually for further county calculations.  The dollar amount required to cover operating expenses of local governments is levied by each township, city, school district or county to pay for services required by local citizens.  This translates into an annual property tax bill due and payable for each individual property. 

There are three entities that have a role in determining property taxes.  The State Legislature establishes property classes and class rates.  The State determines levels of state aid to the local units of government, sets the amount of homestead credit, sets the State General Tax Rate, and mandates unfunded programs to local governments.  Local units of government (school district, township/city, and county) determine their tax levy amount.  The county assessor assigns each property a market value and property use classification based on state statute.  The property tax is then calculated based on the result of actions taken by all three entities.