Rate Breakdown

Property taxes in Turner County are calculated by multiplying the assessed value (minus exemptions) by the total local millage rate.

How Property Tax Works in Turner County

Property taxes in Turner County are calculated based on the assessed value of your property and the local mill levy. Each year, the Turner County Director of Equalization determines the market value of your property. By law, this assessment must reflect the fair market value as of November 1st of the previous year. Once the total assessed value for all properties in a taxing district is established, the local governing bodies—including school districts, the county, and municipalities—determine their budget requirements. These requirements are divided by the total taxable valuation to establish a mill rate (or tax rate). To calculate your specific tax liability, the assessed value is multiplied by the mill levy, resulting in your annual property tax bill.

Available Exemptions

South Dakota offers several property tax relief programs designed to assist specific groups of homeowners in managing their tax burden. Eligibility and application requirements are governed by state law:

• Homestead Exemption: This provides a property tax freeze for qualifying senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, preventing their property tax bill from increasing as the value of their home rises.
• Senior Citizen and Disabled Persons Tax Freeze: Eligibility is based on age (65+) or disability status, combined with strict household income limitations set by the state.
• Disabled Veteran Exemption: Veterans who have a service-connected disability rated as 100% permanent and total by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may be eligible for a significant reduction or exemption on their primary residence.
• Assessment Freeze for Paraplegics: Specific provisions exist for homeowners who are paraplegic to assist with assessment stability.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

In Turner County, property taxes are billed annually and may be paid in two equal installments. The first half of your property tax payment is due by April 30th. If the first half is not paid by this date, the entire amount of the tax becomes delinquent. The second half of the payment is due by October 31st. If taxes remain unpaid after these deadlines, interest and penalties accrue at a statutory rate mandated by South Dakota law. Failure to pay property taxes can eventually lead to a tax lien sale, which may jeopardize your ownership interest in the property. We encourage taxpayers to utilize the online payment portal or mail payments well in advance of the deadline to ensure timely processing.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe the assessed value of your property does not accurately reflect its fair market value, you have the right to appeal. The process begins with an informal review with the Turner County Director of Equalization. If a resolution is not reached, you may formally appeal to the Local Board of Equalization, which typically meets in March. Following that, appeals may be escalated to the County Board of Equalization and subsequently to the State Board of Equalization. It is essential to provide documentation, such as recent appraisals or sales data of comparable properties, to support your claim.