The property tax deadline can sneak up fast, especially when you are juggling life in St. Louis Park. You want a clear, simple way to pay on time and avoid fees. This guide walks you through how Hennepin County handles billing and payments, the cheapest ways to pay, what happens if you are late, and what to do in common situations like escrow or a home sale. Let’s dive in.
What St. Louis Park owners need to know
Hennepin County bills and collects property taxes for St. Louis Park. The city sets its levy, but payments and statements come through the county. You can confirm this on the City’s page for property taxes and assessing.
Hennepin mails annual statements in late March. Taxes are due in two equal halves: the first half in May and the second half in October. If your bill does not arrive, you can look up statements, balances, and your property identification number (PID) using the county’s property information search.
Payment options that work
Hennepin County offers several ways to pay. The county’s full list of methods, fees, and limits is on the property tax payment options page.
Pay online
Online payments accept e-check (ACH) and cards. E-check has no fee and is usually the cheapest option. Cards, PayPal, and Venmo include a vendor fee of 2.29 percent per invoice, and Visa debit is a flat $2.95 per invoice. Online payments are recorded as paid the day you submit them. Transaction limits apply: e-check up to $50,000 per transaction and cards or wallets up to $25,000.
Pay by mail or drop box
Mail checks payable to “Hennepin County Treasurer.” Include your PID on the check or payment stub. To avoid penalties, your envelope must be postmarked on or before the due date. You can also use the check drop box on the 6th floor of the Government Center. Mailing address and in-person location: Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. 6th St., Minneapolis, MN 55487.
Pay in person or by phone
Pay at the property tax counter on the 6th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center or at county service centers. Cards are accepted in person with a 2.49 percent service fee. Prefer to call? Use the Paymentus automated phone system at 1-877-626-0017.
Set up direct debit (automatic)
You can enroll for automatic withdrawal on the due dates. Hennepin withdraws on or about May 15 and October 15. Enrollment deadlines are April 15 for first-half taxes and September 15 for second-half taxes. Cancellation deadlines are May 1 and October 1. Enrollment requires a signed form mailed to the Treasurer. Direct debit is not available for manufactured homes or personal property.
Use your bank’s bill pay
Bank bill pay can take 7 to 10 days to reach Hennepin. The county considers your taxes paid on the date they receive the funds, not the date you scheduled it. Plan ahead to avoid penalties.
Penalties and abatement
Minnesota law adds penalties if a half payment is not made by the due date. For homesteads, the initial penalty is typically 2 percent, and for nonhomestead it is typically 4 percent, with additional monthly penalties later in the year up to statutory limits. You can review the due date and penalty framework in Minnesota Statute 279.01.
Hennepin applies any late payment to penalties first, then to taxes. If you run into a one-time mistake, the county offers a penalty abatement for a parcel once every 10 years for current-year taxes that meet the criteria. You must pay the tax in full before applying and have no prior year balances. Abatement deadlines are June 30 for first-half and November 30 for second-half taxes. You can review the policy in the county board materials for penalty abatement.
There is also a postmark provision in statute. Abatement may be possible when you mailed the payment and the USPS postmark is within one business day of the due date. Keep the postmarked envelope as proof. See the postmark rule in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 279.
Common St. Louis Park scenarios
If you escrow taxes
If your mortgage includes escrow, your servicer typically pays Hennepin directly. Contact your mortgage company to confirm. You can also verify the status on the county’s property information search.
Selling a St. Louis Park home
Property taxes are usually prorated at closing. The seller is credited for the period before closing, and the buyer covers the period after closing. Title and escrow teams calculate the proration using the most recent tax data or an estimate if the final bill is not available. Any unpaid taxes or special assessments are resolved as part of closing.
If you did not receive a statement
Use the county’s property information search to view your statement and balance, then check your mailing address on file. If you mailed a payment that appears late, the postmark rule and abatement process could help if you kept the envelope.
Questions about value or homestead
For valuation questions and assessment appeals, contact the St. Louis Park Assessing Division. The city provides guidance on timelines and how to start an appeal at assessing services. For homestead classification, Minnesota law outlines filing rules and deadlines. Contact the assessor for forms and timing, and review homestead statutes.
Paid the wrong parcel
Payments should include your PID to avoid misapplied funds. If you paid the wrong parcel, contact the Hennepin County Treasurer promptly to request a correction.
Quick checklist and key dates
- Late March: Watch for your Hennepin tax statement in the mail.
- April 15: Direct debit enrollment deadline for first-half payment.
- May 1: Deadline to cancel first-half direct debit.
- May 15: First-half taxes due.
- September 15: Direct debit enrollment deadline for second-half payment.
- October 1: Deadline to cancel second-half direct debit.
- October 15: Second-half taxes due.
- June 30 and November 30: Penalty abatement deadlines for first-half and second-half, if you qualify.
Looking for a friendly, local guide as you plan your move or sale in St. Louis Park? Reach out to the Avenues & Acres Home Team for clear next steps and steady guidance.
FAQs
When are Hennepin County property taxes due for St. Louis Park?
- Hennepin mails statements in late March, with first-half due in May and second-half due in October, as outlined by the City’s property taxes page.
What is the cheapest way to pay Hennepin County property taxes?
- E-check (ACH) online has no fee. Card, PayPal, and Venmo payments include vendor fees, and Visa debit is a flat $2.95 per invoice per the county’s payment options.
How does the postmark rule work if I mail on the due date?
- Minnesota statute allows abatement when a mailed payment has a USPS postmark within one business day of the due date. Keep the postmarked envelope and see Chapter 279 for details.
I escrow taxes through my mortgage. Do I still need to pay?
- If your loan escrows taxes, your servicer usually pays Hennepin. Confirm with your lender and verify amounts on the property information search.
I’m selling my St. Louis Park home. How are taxes handled at closing?
- Taxes are typically prorated at closing, with the seller credited through the closing date and the buyer responsible thereafter. Title and escrow teams compute the proration using current tax data.
