By Rich Larson
Rice County is reminding property owners that second-half payments for 2026 real and personal property taxes are due Thursday, Oct. 15. Residents have several payment options, including in person, by mail, online or by telephone.
Payments made in person must be cash, check or money order. The Property Tax & Elections Office is on the second floor of the Rice County Government Services Building, 320 Third St. NW in Faribault.
Mailed payments should include a check and payment stub and be addressed to the Rice County Property Tax & Elections Office at that address, Faribault, MN 55021.
Online payments are available through the Pay Property Taxes page at ricecountymn.gov. Telephone payments can be made by calling 877-690-3729 and entering Rice County’s jurisdiction code, 3321. Callers also need their property identification number and must wait for a confirmation number to complete the transaction.
Payments drawn directly from a checking or savings account carry no additional fee. Credit card payments include a third-party convenience fee of 2.4% of the tax amount, with a minimum charge of $2. Visa debit card payments carry a flat $4 fee.
Property owners whose taxes are paid through a mortgage escrow account should contact their lender with questions about how those payments are handled. The county also offers automatic withdrawal plans for quarterly or semiannual payments.
Most Minnesota property taxes are paid in two installments, generally due May 15 and Oct. 15. Property taxes support public schools, police and fire protection, streets, libraries and other local services. Each property’s value and classification help determine its share of local government levies.
A later deadline applies to agricultural property and mobile homes. Rice County lists their second-half payments as due Monday, Nov. 16, this year.
Residents with payment questions can contact the county’s Property Tax & Elections Office at 507-332-6104 or, from Northfield, 507-645-9576.
Rich Larson is the owner and General manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
