Green Acres is a property tax deferral program for certain agricultural property.
Eligibility
You must own property classified as 2a productive agricultural lan.
The property must:
- Be at least 10 acres in size.
- Be primarily used for agricultural
- Be homestead
- Or farmed in conjunction with the homestead property
- Or the property must have been in the applicant’s family for at least seven years.
The filing deadline is May 1.
Applying
Complete the Green Acres 
Application Form and Addendum Form and submit:
- In person: Service or license centers
- By mail: Dakota County Assessing Services, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings MN 55033-2343
- By fax: 651-438-4469
How the program works
Two values on Green Acres property are determined by:
- The ‘actual market value’ based on sales of similar property, which may be influenced by development pressures.
- The ‘agricultural value’ based on sales of agricultural property not impacted by other influences, such as development.
- Taxes are due on the lower, agricultural value each year.
- The difference between the agricultural value and the actual market value is deferred until the property is sold or no longer qualifies for the program.
- The deferred tax may be due for three years, on the part sold or no longer qualifying.
Special local assessments
Special local assessments are deferred while the property qualifies for Green Acres. However, when the property sells, all deferred special assessments are due.