Minneapolis mailboxes are filling up with quintile notices this spring, alerting homeowners that their properties are due for mandatory reassessment. The timing has people talking: property tax levies statewide are up by about $873 million for 2026, and plenty of owners are worried that a closer look inside could push their assessed values - and tax bills - even higher. Assessors say interior access is optional, and more residents are opting to send interior photos instead of inviting appraisers into their living rooms.
What the law requires
State law says counties and cities have to review properties so every parcel is appraised at least once in a five-year cycle. That system, known as the "quintile" plan, means roughly one-fifth of parcels are inspected each year. The Minnesota Department of Revenue outlines the quintile calendar along with detailed appraisal guidance for local assessors.
What assessors look for
Inspectors gather the nuts-and-bolts details that feed into market value estimates: square footage, overall condition, bedroom and bathroom counts, kitchen finishes and other amenities, Minneapolis City Assessor Rebecca Malmquist told FOX 9. She emphasized that letting assessors inside is voluntary. If an owner says no to an interior visit, appraisers fall back on what they can see from the outside along with permit records. Minneapolis Area Realtors president-elect Geoff Bray told the station that many homeowners prefer to keep their annual taxes as low as possible until it is time to sell.
How to respond
If a quintile or valuation notice lands in your mail, read it carefully, double-check the numbers and note the appeal deadlines listed. If something looks off, reach out to your assessor's office sooner rather than later. Hennepin County explains informal options, such as calling the assessor or attending an Open Book session, as well as formal appeal routes through local and county boards of appeal and equalization and, if needed, the Minnesota Tax Court. Keeping records helps: permits, recent sales of comparable homes and contractor receipts can all come in handy. If you would rather skip an in-person visit, you can consider sending photos electronically.
Why it matters for your bill
The state reports that certified property tax levies for 2026 come to about $13.776 billion, roughly $873 million more than in 2025. When other property types, such as downtown office buildings, lose value or shrink, homeowners can end up carrying a larger share of that total. Local coverage has tracked how downtown commercial declines are shifting more of the load to houses and condos; see the Hoodline piece on homeowners and downtown decline, heftier tax hit, for additional context. For a closer neighborhood-level view, you can review the Department's levy data alongside your county's property reports.
Bottom line
A quintile notice by itself does not guarantee a tax spike, but it does kick off a process that can change your taxable value. Read your valuation notice closely, decide whether you want interior access or prefer to send photos and contact your assessor early if the numbers do not seem right.
