Columbia Heights property tax: where it goes
A Columbia Heights house pays 1.561% of its taxable value in property tax, plus flat charges on the same bill. For a house at $280,300 of value before exemptions with the homestead exemption, that's about $4,101 a year.
Tax is levied on estimated market value, less the homestead market value exclusion, times the class rate (1.00% on the first $500,000, 1.25% above) gives tax capacity, taxed at the local tax capacity rates.
Who taxes this house
| Taxing agency | Rate | On $280,300 |
|---|---|---|
| Anoka County (including county/city radio) | 0.3016% | $781 |
| City of Columbia Heights | 0.7815% | $2,024 |
| Columbia Heights Schools (ISD 13), on tax capacity (schools) | 0.2506% | $649 |
| Metropolitan Council, Metro Transit district and Metro Mosquito Control | 0.0192% | $50 |
| Special districts (Mississippi WMO watershed and city HRA/EDA) | 0.0464% | $120 |
| Columbia Heights Schools (ISD 13), referendum levies on market value (schools) | 0.1615% | $453 |
| Anoka County solid waste management charge (per home) | flat | $24 |
| Total | 1.561% | $4,101 |
2026 taxes payable, Anoka County (Columbia Heights tax area 19: Columbia Heights schools ISD 13, Mississippi WMO). Exemptions applied: Homestead market value exclusion ($21,323).
Ways to pay less
- File for homestead. Property taxes are lower on owner-occupied homes, and the homestead market value exclusion lowers the taxable value of homes valued under $517,200. How: Apply with Anoka County: if you buy and move in by December 1 and apply by December 31, the next year's tax reflects homestead.
- Claim the Minnesota property tax refund. The special refund, regardless of income, pays back 60% of a property tax increase beyond 12% and $100 from the prior year, up to $1,000. How: Apply to the Minnesota Department of Revenue by the filing deadline.
- Seniors 65+: defer part of your property tax. With the Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral, the tax you pay is 3% of household income and the state pays the rest as a loan, repaid with interest when you sell or cancel. How: You must be 65 or older (if married, the other spouse at least 62) with household income of $96,000 or less; apply by November 1.
- Pay property tax by check to skip the fee. Anoka County's online payments carry a 2.6% fee for cards and a $3.50 fee for eCheck; check by mail, cash or check in person, and the Direct Payment Program have no service fee. How: Mail a check or enroll in the Direct Payment Program (call 763-323-5400).
Dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Nov 1 (in 10 days) | Apply for the Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral to defer next year's taxes |
| Dec 31 | Apply for homestead (own and occupy by December 1) for next year's tax |
| May 15 | First half of real property taxes due |
| Aug 15 | Minnesota property tax refund due; you may still file up to one year late |
| Oct 15 | Second half of real property taxes due |
| Early January | Unpaid property taxes and penalties become delinquent on the first business day in January |
Pay or manage it
Sources
- www.anokacountymn.gov Property-Tax-Payment-Options
- www.anokacountymn.gov 10-Tax-Rates-Schools
- www.anokacountymn.gov Combined-Tax-Rates-by-Unique-Taxing-Area
- www.revenue.state.mn.us filing-property-tax-refund
- www.revenue.state.mn.us homestead
- www.revenue.state.mn.us property-tax-calendar
- www.revenue.state.mn.us property-tax-deferral-senior-citizens
Checked October 22, 2026. Every number here comes from the public sources listed, matched by our checker.
Rates change every year; this page shows when it was last checked. Nothing here is legal, tax or insurance advice.