State Releases Proposed 2026 Property Tax Levies for Local Governments

Total local government property tax levies are proposed to increase 6.9%. The proposed increase for cities is 8.7%.

On Nov. 13, the Minnesota Department of Revenue released the list of 2026 preliminary property tax levies for cities, counties, school districts, towns, and special taxing districts. These are the maximum levels that levies can increase in 2026.

Cities — The 2026 preliminary property tax levies for cities will total approximately $4.02 billion compared with a final levy of $3.7 billion in 2025, an 8.7% increase. Last year, 2025 preliminary city levies were proposed to be increased by 8.8%, with a final levy increase of 7.7%.

Counties — The 2026 preliminary property tax levies for counties will total approximately $4.54 billion compared with a final levy of $4.201 billion in 2025, an 8.1% increase.

Townships — The 2026 preliminary property tax levies for townships will total approximately $350 million compared with a final levy of $331 million in 2025, a 5.6% increase.

Schools — The 2026 preliminary property tax levies for schools will total approximately $4.39 billion compared with a final levy of $4.15 billion in 2025, a 5.8% increase. 

Special taxing districts — The 2026 preliminary property tax levies for special taxing districts will total approximately $546 million compared with a final levy of $522 million in 2025, a 4.6% increase.

Background

The Department of Revenue releases lists of preliminary property tax levies every November. Final levy data is released the following February. Truth in Taxation hearings will take place through November and December, which may result in lower final levies for individual jurisdictions. Levies can decrease after these hearings, but they cannot increase beyond the proposed maximum. Final levies for 2026 must be set by Dec. 29. The Truth in Taxation hearings are required for cities with populations over 500, counties, school districts, regional library authorities, and metropolitan taxing districts.

Download data for individual local taxing jurisdictions on the Department of Revenue website (xls).

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