Forest Lake property tax: where it goes
A Forest Lake house pays 1.389% of its taxable value in property tax. For a house at $390,500 of value before exemptions with the homestead exemption, that's about $4,316 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, which is taxed at the tax capacity rate; the market value referenda rate applies to market value before the exclusion.
Who taxes this house
| Taxing agency | Rate | On $390,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington County | 0.2445% | $927 |
| City of Forest Lake | 0.4373% | $1,658 |
| Forest Lake Area Schools (ISD 831), on tax capacity (schools) | 0.2409% | $913 |
| Metropolitan Council, Mosquito Control, Washington County CDA and Regional Rail, Transit District and other districts | 0.0305% | $116 |
| Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District | 0.0616% | $233 |
| Forest Lake Area Schools (ISD 831), voter-approved referendum levies on market value (schools) | 0.1179% | $460 |
| Washington County library referendum levy on market value | 0.0023% | $9 |
| All tax-capacity levies above, on value over $500,000 (1.25% class rate instead of 1.00%) | 0.2537% | $0 |
| Total | 1.389% | $4,316 |
2026 taxes payable, Washington County (Forest Lake tax area 2501: ISD 831 Forest Lake, Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District). Exemptions applied: 1.00% class rate on the first $500,000 (1.25% only above) ($500,000); Homestead market value exclusion ($11,405).
Ways to pay less
- File for homestead. Homestead is a property classification for homes occupied by the owner or a qualifying relative as their primary residence; it can make you eligible for the homestead market value exclusion and the property tax refund (relative homesteads do not qualify for the refund). How: Apply online with Washington County by December 31 for taxes payable the following year.
- Claim the Minnesota property tax refund. Homeowners with 2025 total household income under $142,490 may qualify for the homestead credit refund; a special refund applies when net property tax rises at least 12 percent and at least $100. How: File Form M1PR with the Minnesota Department of Revenue by August 15 (you may file up to one year late).
- Seniors 65+: defer part of your property tax. Property Tax Deferral for Senior Citizens limits the tax you pay to 3% of total household income; the state pays the remainder 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), have household income of $96,000 or less and have owned, lived in and homesteaded the home for 5 years; apply by November 1.
- Veterans with a 70%+ disability rating: market value exclusion. Honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher who own and occupy a homestead on December 31 can get a $150,000 market value exclusion; a 100% permanent and total rating qualifies for $300,000. How: Apply with Washington County using its application for veterans with disabilities.
- Pay property tax by eCheck, not card. Washington County charges a $0.75 fee to pay online by eCheck and 2.35% (minimum $1.49) by card. How: Choose eCheck when paying online, or mail a check postmarked by the due date.
Dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Nov 1 (in 10 days) | Senior citizen property tax deferral applications due to defer the following year's taxes |
| Dec 31 | Homestead applications due to Washington County for taxes payable the following year |
| May 15 | First half of Washington County real property taxes due; monthly penalties begin if not paid by the due date |
| Aug 15 | Minnesota property tax refund (Form M1PR) due; you may still file up to one year late |
| Oct 15 | Second half of Washington County real property taxes due; second half penalties start after Oct. 15 |
Pay or manage it
Sources
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.