This morning, the Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners approved a program to provide property tax relief through a waiver of the late payment penalty of first half property tax payments for eligible property tax payers from May 15 to July 15.

While most property taxpayers experiencing a financial hardship related to COVID-19 will qualify, the Health Pandemic Abatement excludes any properties with taxes that are escrowed. To qualify, taxpayers will need to submit a brief application online. Applications must be received no later than May 15, 2020.

Parcels with $50,000 or less in first half property taxes due will simply need to attest that they are experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19. Parcels with over $50,001 in first half property taxes due will need to additionally meet and attest to the following:

1. Did the business responsible for paying the property taxes on this parcel(s) experience a full or partial reduction or suspension of services or operations as a result of the state’s “Stay at Home” order?
2. Did the business responsible for paying the property taxes on this parcel(s) experience a reduction in gross receipts of at least 25% in any 30-day period from March 1, 2020, to May 15, 2020, as compared to the same 30-day period in 2019?

First half tax payments are due May 15, 2020, unless a taxpayer completes the application for the Health Pandemic Abatement and qualifies for the delayed due date of July 15, 2020.

All individuals and business property owners who are not experiencing financial hardship in Blue Earth County due to COVID-19 should pay their property taxes in a timely manner.

For more information, call the Property & Environmental Resources Department at 507-304-4251.

Nicollet County has also adopted a similar program.