Property Tax Exemptions

Property Tax

Residents will receive a property tax statement from Dickey County each December. The property tax statement will include taxes for the city, county, school district, park district, and fire district. Taxes are payable in two installments: the first installment is due on February 15 and the second installment is due on October 15. Taxes can be paid by mail or in person at the Dickey County Courthouse.

The first step in determining property taxes is calculating property values for all properties subject to taxation.  The City Assessor is responsible for appraising each property, based on market value as the standard and to apply periodic updates to values as market conditions and properties change.

  • True & Full Value or Assessment Value.  The starting point of assessing real property and standard of value to be used.  Amount believed by assessor to be correct should be used even though property owner may disagree.
  • Market Value.  The price a property would bring if it were offered for sale in the open market for a reasonable length of time and purchased by a willing buyer.
  • Property Classification.  Buildings are most commonly classified as residential or commercial depending on use and qualifications determined by the State Tax Commissioner.  Other classifications such as incomplete buildings and agriculture are other factors that affect actual value.

The mill levy is the “tax rate” that is applied to the assessed value of a property. One mill is one one-thousandth of a dollar or $1 dollar per $1,000 of assessed value.  It can also be explained as 1/10 of 1 percent.

Property Tax Exemptions

Oakes has the following available exemptions for property tax:

Homestead Credit Provided to individuals who are 65 years of age or older or individuals who are permanently and totally disabled. Your assets may not exceed $500,000 including the market value of your homestead. Applications are filed annually using income and medical expenses from the previous year.

Renters Refund:   This has the same age and income requirements as the Homestead Credit.  When 20% of your annual rent exceeds 4% of your income, you receive a refund for the overpayment of rent. Mobile home lot rent qualifies.

Contact the State Tax Commissioner's Office at 701.328.3127, for more information or visit their website here.

Disabled Veterans Credit The applicant must have an armed-forces service connected disability of 50% or greater.  An award letter from Veteran's Services stating percentage of disability and DD214 are required.

There is no income or asset limitation. The credit is also available to the applicant's un-remarried surviving spouse. The credit is applied to the first $150,000 on the market value of the homestead. .  The exemption is based VA disability rating.

Contact the State Tax Commissioner's Office at 701.328.3127 for more information or visit their website here.

Improvements to Commercial & Residential Buildings

Improvements that Qualify

  • The building must renovated, remodeled, or altered.  It cannot be the complete replacement of one building with another or a separate structure not attached to existing building.
    • Renovation is to restore to a previous condition or to a good state of repair.
    • Remodel is to change the plans, form or style of a building to correct functional deficiencies.
    • Alteration is to effect change, modify or vary, to change materially.
  • Buildings must be at least 25 years on the assessment date to qualify for the exemption.
  • Commercial improvements, which meet or exceed $50,000, are eligible for a 3-year exemption.
  • Residential improvements, which meet or exceed $25,000, are eligible for a 3-year exemption.
  • Complete and submit Application for Property Tax Exemption for Improvements To Commercial And Residential Buildings (ND Office State Tax Commissioner, form 24840) with the City Assessor.
  • Complete and submit Building Permit, if applicable.
  • The City Assessor must determine if the improvements qualify for the exemption; however, the City Council must approve the exemption before it becomes effective.

*Exemption is the difference of assessment value of the structure at time of approved application and at the time of completion.  Exemption not applicable to land values.  Exemption not applicable to changes due to market value adjustments but only on changes in value due to improvements.

New Construction Passed by Resolution of City, new construction qualifies for a two-year exemption for a maximum of $100,000 and is exclusive of the land on which it is situated or any special assessments.  This exemption is for a builder of a single-family dwelling and shall be for the taxable year in which construction began and the next two taxable years.  The number of properties owned by the builder that is receiving this exemption cannot be greater that ten (10) per taxing district and that the exemption shall cease if the builder shall no longer own the property or if the property shall become occupied at anytime during the exemption period.  Must meet compliance with NDCC § 57-02-08 (42).

New Residential Property Passed by Resolution of City, new construction qualifies for a two-year exemption for a maximum of $100,000 and is exclusive of the land on which it is situated or any special assessments.  This exemption is for a first time owner of the listed property for the first two taxable years after the taxable year in which construction of the structure is completed and occupied.  Must meet compliance with NDCC § 57-02-08 (35).

Contact City Assessor, 701.742.2137 for application and more information. 

New or Expanding Businesses Passed by Resolution of City, allowed in cities with population fewer than 40,000 and only for primary sector business.  Additional requirements have been set by the State.  Exemption could be declining exemption percentage or payment in lieu of taxes.

Complete an application and file with the City Auditor.  City Council reveiws application and makes recommendation to Dickey County for exemption.

City Departments