2006 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 271. TAX COURT

271.001 [Repealed, 1977 c 307 s 31]

271.01 CREATION OF TAX COURT; JURISDICTION.
    Subdivision 1. Membership, appointment, qualifications. There is hereby created a Tax
Court as an independent agency of the executive branch of the government. The Tax Court is
a court of record. The Tax Court shall consist of three judges, each of whom shall be a citizen
of the state, appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, for a
term of six years commencing at the expiration of the preceding term. Any vacancy shall be filled
by the governor for the unexpired term, subject to confirmation by the senate. The terms of the
judges shall end on the first Monday in January. The terms of the judges shall be staggered, the
term of one judge expiring on the first Monday of each odd-numbered year. Judges may serve
until their successors are appointed and qualify. They shall be selected on the basis of their
experience with and knowledge of taxation and tax laws. The judges of the Tax Court shall be
subject to the provisions of the Minnesota Constitution, article VI, section 6, the jurisdiction of
the commission on judicial standards, as provided in sections 490A.01 and 490A.02, and the
provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct.
    Subd. 1a. Retired judges. Upon the retirement of a judge of the Tax Court or the district
court, the chief judge of the Tax Court may, with the retired judge's consent, assign the retired
judge to hear any case properly assignable to a judge of the Tax Court and to act on it with the
full powers of a judge of the Tax Court. A retired judge performing this service shall receive pay
and expenses in the amount and manner provided by law for judges serving on the court, less the
amount of retirement pay the judge is receiving under chapter 352 or 490.
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 1977 c 307 s 31]
    Subd. 2a.[Repealed, 1977 c 307 s 31]
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1976 c 134 s 79]
    Subd. 4.[Repealed, 1971 c 753 s 2]
    Subd. 4a. Expenses. Each judge of the Tax Court shall receive actual and necessary expenses
paid or incurred in the performance of duties as provided in section 43A.04, subdivision 3.
    Subd. 5. Jurisdiction. The Tax Court shall have statewide jurisdiction. Except for an appeal
to the supreme court or any other appeal allowed under this subdivision, the Tax Court shall be
the sole, exclusive, and final authority for the hearing and determination of all questions of law
and fact arising under the tax laws of the state, as defined in this subdivision, in those cases that
have been appealed to the Tax Court and in any case that has been transferred by the district court
to the Tax Court. The Tax Court shall have no jurisdiction in any case that does not arise under the
tax laws of the state or in any criminal case or in any case determining or granting title to real
property or in any case that is under the probate jurisdiction of the district court. The small claims
division of the Tax Court shall have jurisdiction only as provided in section 271.21, subdivision
2 . The Tax Court shall have no jurisdiction in any case involving an order of the state board of
equalization unless a taxpayer contests the valuation of property. Laws governing taxes, aids,
and related matters administered by the commissioner of revenue, laws dealing with property
valuation, assessment or taxation of property for property tax purposes, and any other laws that
contain provisions authorizing review of taxes, aids, and related matters by the Tax Court shall
be considered tax laws of this state subject to the jurisdiction of the Tax Court. This subdivision
shall not be construed to prevent an appeal, as provided by law, to an administrative agency,
board of equalization, review under section 274.13, subdivision 1c, or to the commissioner of
revenue. Wherever used in this chapter, the term commissioner shall mean the commissioner of
revenue, unless otherwise specified.
    Subd. 6.[Repealed, 1989 c 324 s 29]
History: (2362-10) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 10; 1943 c 533 s 1; 1965 c 698 s 2,3; 1969 c 1125
s 1; 1971 c 226 s 2; 1971 c 753 s 1; 1973 c 582 s 3; 1974 c 355 s 36; 1976 c 134 s 61,62,78;
1977 c 307 s 2-4,29; 1977 c 432 s 5; 1978 c 672 s 1; 1981 c 210 s 54; 1984 c 502 art 11 s 2;
1984 c 592 s 82; 1985 c 305 art 12 s 5; 1Sp1985 c 14 art 20 s 1; 1Sp1985 c 16 art 2 s 26; 1986 c
444; 1986 c 473 s 3; 1987 c 404 s 158; 1988 c 719 art 19 s 12; 1989 c 324 s 7,8; 1995 c 189 s
8; 1996 c 277 s 1; 1997 c 231 art 2 s 6; 1999 c 243 art 5 s 1; 1Sp2001 c 5 art 3 s 14; 2002 c
377 art 4 s 4; 2006 c 271 art 11 s 48

271.02 OFFICERS.
The judges of the Tax Court shall choose a chief judge. The chief judge shall coordinate
and make hearing assignments, and appoint employees who shall be in the unclassified service.
The chief judge may delegate administrative duties to the employees appointed. The court
administrator of district court in each county shall be the court administrator of the Tax Court in
that county. Filing fees and library fees deposited with the court administrator of district court in
the capacity of court administrator of the Tax Court and in cases originally commenced in district
court and transferred to the Tax Court shall be retained by the court administrator of district court.
The court administrator of the Tax Court in each county shall be subject to the supervision of the
administrator in Tax Court matters.
History: (2362-11) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 11; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78; 1977 c 307 s
5,29; 1978 c 672 s 2; 1981 c 356 s 338; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1989 c 324 s 9

271.03 SEAL.
The Tax Court shall have a seal, engraved with the words, "State of Minnesota, Tax Court."
Such seal may be used to authenticate the official acts of the Tax Court or any judge thereof, but
failure to use the seal shall not invalidate any such act.
History: (2362-12) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 12; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78; 1977 c 307 s 29

271.04 HEARINGS; VENUE.
    Subdivision 1. Generally. The Tax Court shall hold hearings and meetings as may be
prescribed by the rules of the Tax Court. The principal office of the Tax Court shall be in Saint
Paul, but it shall hold hearings at any other place within the state, so that taxpayers may appear
before the court with as little inconvenience and expense to the taxpayer as is practicable. The Tax
Court shall be allowed to use the district court court room in all of the counties. The administrator
of the Tax Court shall consult with the court administrator of the district court involved before a
schedule of court room to be used by the Tax Court is established. Each Tax Court judge may
hear and decide cases. Upon petition by a party to a case, or upon a motion by a Tax Court judge,
and approval by a majority of the Tax Court, a case may be tried before the entire Tax Court.
When an appeal is taken by a resident taxpayer from an order of the commissioner, not involving
property taxes, venue for the case shall be, at the election of the taxpayer, in Ramsey County or
in the district court judicial district in which the taxpayer resides. Venue shall be in Ramsey
County for an appeal taken by a nonresident taxpayer from an order of the commissioner. Venue
for all other cases arising under the tax laws of the state shall be in the same judicial district as
if the case was being tried in district court.
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 1992 c 511 art 2 s 60]
History: (2362-13) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 13; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78; 1977 c 307 s 6;
1978 c 672 s 3; 1989 c 324 s 10; 1991 c 291 art 1 s 8

271.05 POWER TO REVIEW.
The Tax Court shall have power to review and redetermine orders or decisions of the
commissioner of revenue upon appeal therefrom in the cases authorized by law.
History: (2362-14) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 14; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1973 c 582 s 3; 1976 c 134 s
78; 1977 c 307 s 29

271.06 APPEALS FROM ORDERS.
    Subdivision 1. Manner. Except as otherwise provided in section 270C.86, or any other law,
an appeal to the Tax Court may be taken, in the manner herein provided, from any official order
of the commissioner of revenue respecting any tax, fee, or assessment, or any matter pertaining
thereto, including the imposition of interest and penalty, or any matter over which the court is
granted jurisdiction under section 271.01, subdivision 5, by any person directly interested therein
or affected thereby, or by any political subdivision of the state, directly or indirectly, interested
therein or affected thereby, or by the attorney general in behalf of the state, or by any resident
taxpayer of the state in behalf of the state in case the attorney general, upon request, shall refuse
to appeal. Notwithstanding subdivision 2, when an appeal is taken to the Tax Court in any case
dealing with property valuation, assessment, or taxation for property tax purposes, the provisions
of section 273.125, subdivisions 4 and 5, and chapter 278 shall apply as if the appeal had been
taken to the district court.
    Subd. 2. Time; notice; intervention. Except as otherwise provided by law, within 60 days
after notice of the making and filing of an order of the commissioner of revenue, the appellant, or
the appellant's attorney, shall serve a notice of appeal upon the commissioner and file the original,
with proof of such service, with the Tax Court administrator or with the court administrator of
district court acting as court administrator of the Tax Court; provided, that the Tax Court, for
cause shown, may by written order extend the time for appealing for an additional period not
exceeding 30 days. The notice of appeal shall be in the form prescribed by the Tax Court. Within
five days after receipt, the commissioner shall transmit a copy of the notice of appeal to the
attorney general. The attorney general shall represent the commissioner, if requested, upon all
such appeals except in cases where the attorney general has appealed in behalf of the state, or in
other cases where the attorney general deems it against the interests of the state to represent the
commissioner, in which event the attorney general may intervene or be substituted as an appellant
in behalf of the state at any stage of the proceedings.
Upon a final determination of any other matter over which the court is granted jurisdiction
under section 271.01, subdivision 5, the taxpayer or the taxpayer's attorney shall file a petition or
notice of appeal as provided by law with the court administrator of district court, acting in the
capacity of court administrator of the Tax Court, with proof of service of the petition or notice
of appeal as required by law and within the time required by law. As used in this subdivision,
"final determination" includes a notice of assessment and equalization for the year in question
received from the local assessor, an order of the local board of equalization, or an order of a
county board of equalization.
The Tax Court shall prescribe a filing system so that the notice of appeal or petition filed
with the district court administrator acting as court administrator of the Tax Court is forwarded to
the Tax Court administrator. In the case of an appeal or a petition concerning property valuation
for which the assessor, a local board of equalization, a county board of equalization or the
commissioner of revenue has issued an order, the officer issuing the order shall be notified of
the filing of the appeal. The notice of appeal or petition shall be in the form prescribed by the
Tax Court.
    Subd. 3. Pleadings. Within 30 days after the service and filing of the notice of appeal,
unless the appeal be theretofore dismissed, the commissioner shall make, certify, and file with the
Tax Court a return composed of a copy of any application or petition by which the proceeding
was instituted and any other material paper preceding the order of the commissioner, a copy of
the order appealed from, all relevant correspondence or other communication, and a denial,
admission, or explanation with respect to each allegation of fact in the notice so far as not covered
by the order; provided, that the Tax Court, for cause shown, may extend the time for filing such
return for an additional period not exceeding 30 days. Where the commissioner is required to
transmit a copy of the notice of appeal to the attorney general, the commissioner shall, within ten
days after service of the notice of appeal upon the commissioner, transmit to the attorney general
a complete copy of all papers required for the return. Allegations of new matter in the return
shall be deemed to be denied by the appellant.
    Subd. 4. Appeal fee. At the time of filing the notice of appeal the appellant shall pay to the
court administrator of the Tax Court an appeal fee equal to the fee provided for civil actions in
the district court under section 357.021, subdivision 2, clause (1); except that no appeal fee shall
be required of the commissioner of revenue, the attorney general, the state or any of its political
subdivisions. In small claims division, the appeal fee shall be $150. The provisions of chapter
563, providing for proceedings in forma pauperis, shall also apply for appeals to the Tax Court.
    Subd. 5. Modification or rescission of orders. At any time before final determination of an
appeal by the Tax Court, the commissioner may, upon notice to the appellant and with the approval
of the attorney general, offer to modify or rescind the order appealed from and, if such action be
satisfactory to the appellant and to all other parties appearing in the proceeding, if any, and they
shall stipulate thereto in writing, the proposed modification or rescission shall be made by the
commissioner, and the appeal shall thereupon be dismissed, with such adjustment of costs as may
be agreed upon between the commissioner and the appellant and specified in the stipulation.
    Subd. 6. Hearings; determination of issues; default. The Tax Court shall hear, consider,
and determine without a jury every appeal de novo. A Tax Court judge may empanel an advisory
jury upon the judge's motion. The Tax Court shall hold a public hearing in every case. All such
parties shall have an opportunity to offer evidence and arguments at the hearing; provided, that
the order of the commissioner or the appropriate unit of government in every case shall be prima
facie valid. When an appeal to the Tax Court has been taken from an order or determination of the
commissioner or from the appropriate unit of government, the proceeding shall be an original
proceeding in the nature of a suit to set aside or modify the order or determination. In case no
appellant shall appear the Tax Court shall enter its order affirming the order of the commissioner of
revenue or the appropriate unit of government from which the appeal was taken. If the Department
of Revenue's sales ratio study is introduced in Tax Court as evidence, the sales ratio data from the
study shall be admissible as evidence only as provided in section 278.05, subdivision 4.
    Subd. 7. Rules. Except as provided in section 278.05, subdivision 6, the Rules of Evidence
and Civil Procedure for the district court of Minnesota shall govern the procedures in the Tax
Court, where practicable. The Tax Court may adopt rules under chapter 14. The rules in effect
on January 1, 1989, apply until superseded.
History: (2362-15) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 15; 1943 c 174 s 3; 1945 c 604 s 23,24; 1957 c
770 s 1; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1973 c 582 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78; 1977 c 307 s 7-12,29; 1978 c 672 s
4; 1979 c 333 s 95; 1981 c 253 s 29; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1984 c 502 art 11 s 3; 1986 c 444;
1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1989 c 324 s 11-14; 1991 c 345 art 1 s 85; 1992 c 511 art 2 s 7; 1993
c 375 art 3 s 5,48; 1994 c 587 art 5 s 1; 1995 c 226 art 6 s 7; 1997 c 84 art 6 s 14; 1Sp2003 c
2 art 2 s 1; 2005 c 151 art 2 s 17

271.061 [Repealed, 1989 c 324 s 29]

271.07 STENOGRAPHIC REPORT; TRANSCRIPT.
Except in the small claims division, the Tax Court shall provide for a verbatim stenographic
report of all proceedings had before it upon appeals, as required by the laws relating to
proceedings in district court. The cost of the stenographic record shall be paid by the party taking
the appeal. The cost is a taxable cost under section 271.09.
History: (2362-16) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 16; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78; 1977 c 307 s
13,29; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1989 c 324 s 15; 1993 c 192 s 85

271.08 FINDINGS OF FACT; DECISION, ENTRY OF JUDGMENT.
    Subdivision 1. Written order. The tax court, except in small claims division, shall determine
every appeal by written order containing findings of fact and the decision of the tax court. A
memorandum of the grounds of the decision shall be appended. Notice of the entry of the order
and of the substance of the decision shall be mailed to all parties. A motion for rehearing, which
includes a motion for amended findings of fact, conclusions of law, or a new trial, must be served
by the moving party within 15 days after mailing of the notice by the court as specified in this
subdivision, and the motion must be heard within 30 days thereafter, unless the time for hearing is
extended by the court within the 30-day period for good cause shown.
    Subd. 2. Entry of judgment. Upon the filing of the order of the tax court, described in
subdivision 1, with the court administrator of the tax court, judgment shall be entered thereon in
the same manner as in the case of an order of the district court.
History: (2362-17) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 17; 1945 c 604 s 25; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1973 c 582 s 3;
1976 c 134 s 78; 1977 c 307 s 14,29; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1997 c 84 art 6 s 15

271.09 APPEALS AND REVIEWS.
    Subdivision 1. Exclusive remedy. Except as otherwise provided in sections 270C.86, and
271.01, subdivision 5, unless an appeal is taken to the district court, the right of appeal herein
provided shall be the exclusive remedy for reviewing the action of the commissioner of revenue
or the appropriate unit of government respecting any tax, assessment, or other obligation as
defined in section 271.01, subdivision 5. Upon any appeal taken by a taxpayer, the decision of the
Tax Court, or the decision of the Supreme Court upon review thereof, as the case may be, shall be
final and conclusive upon all parties to the proceedings as to all matters at issue determined by
such decision. In all cases the decision of the Tax Court upon appeal, or of the Supreme Court
upon review, as the case may be, shall stand in lieu of the order of the commissioner or the
appropriate unit of government from which the appeal was taken.
    Subd. 2. Review by Tax Court conclusive. Except as provided in section 271.01,
subdivision 5 , in all cases other than those wherein the taxpayer has appealed to the Tax Court or
has agreed in writing that the decision upon appeal or review shall be conclusive, all rights of
action or defenses in the courts of the state respecting any tax, fee, or assessment, now afforded
the taxpayer by law shall be preserved.
    Subd. 3. Tax due obligation. At the time of the taking of an appeal to the Tax Court, the
taxpayer shall pay at least the amount of the tax or other obligation conceded by the taxpayer to be
due, if any, when it becomes due provided that this shall not relieve the taxpayer from complying
with any other requirements of law. The provisions of sections 273.125, subdivision 5, and 278.03
shall govern the filing with the Tax Court of an appeal dealing with property valuation, assessment,
or taxation for property tax purposes, as if the appeal had been taken to the district court.
History: (2362-18) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 18; 1963 c 740 s 25; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1973 c 582 s 3;
1976 c 134 s 78; 1977 c 307 s 15-17,29; 1993 c 375 art 3 s 6,48; 2005 c 151 art 2 s 17

271.10 REVIEW BY SUPREME COURT.
    Subdivision 1. Certiorari. A review of any final order of the Tax Court may be had upon
certiorari by the Supreme Court upon petition of any party to the proceedings before the Tax
Court. Such review may be had on the ground that the Tax Court was without jurisdiction, that the
order of the Tax Court was not justified by the evidence or was not in conformity with law, or that
the Tax Court committed any other error of law.
    Subd. 2. Service of writ. Within 60 days after notice of the making and filing of the order of
the Tax Court, or the making and filing of an order on a motion for rehearing, which includes a
motion for amended findings of fact, conclusions of law, or a new trial, the petitioner for review
shall obtain from the Supreme Court a writ of certiorari, and shall serve the same upon all other
parties appearing in the proceedings before the Tax Court, and shall file the original, with proof of
such service, with the court administrator of the Tax Court. Every petitioner, except the attorney
general, the commissioner of revenue, the state and its political subdivisions, shall also pay to the
court administrator the fee prescribed by rule 103.01 of the Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure
which shall be disposed of in the manner provided by that rule, and file a bond or make a deposit
in like manner and amount as in case of an appeal from the district court. The fee shall be disposed
of as in such case. Return upon the writ shall be made to the Supreme Court and the matter shall
be heard and determined by the court as in other certiorari cases, subject to the provisions hereof
and to such rules as the court may prescribe for cases arising hereunder.
History: (2362-19) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 19; 1943 c 174 s 4; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1971 c 686 s 3;
1973 c 582 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78; 1976 c 239 s 40; 1977 c 307 s 18,29; 1Sp1981 c 1 art 8 s 2;
1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1997 c 84 art 6 s 16

271.11 [Repealed, 1977 c 307 s 31]

271.12 WHEN ORDER EFFECTIVE.
No order for refundment by the commissioner of revenue, the appropriate unit of
government, or the Tax Court shall take effect until the time for appeal therefrom or review
thereof by all parties entitled thereto has expired. Otherwise every order of the commissioner, the
appropriate unit of government, or the Tax Court shall take effect immediately upon the filing
thereof, and no appeal therefrom or review thereof shall stay the execution thereof or extend the
time for payment of any tax or other obligation unless otherwise expressly provided by law;
provided, that in case an order which has been acted upon, in whole or in part, shall thereafter be
set aside or modified upon appeal, the determination upon appeal or review shall supersede the
order appealed from and be binding upon all parties affected thereby, and such adjustments as
may be necessary to give effect thereto shall be made accordingly; and provided further, the Tax
Court may enjoin enforcement of the order of the commissioner being appealed. If it be finally
determined upon such appeal or review that any person is entitled to refundment of any amount
which has been paid for a tax or other obligation, such amount, unless otherwise provided by law,
shall be paid to the person by the commissioner of finance, or other proper officer, out of funds
derived from taxes of the same kind, if available for the purpose, or out of other available funds, if
any, with interest at the rate specified in section 270C.405 from the date of payment of the tax,
unless a different rate or date of accrual of interest is otherwise provided by law, in which case
such other rate or date of accrual shall apply, upon certification by the commissioner of revenue,
the appropriate unit of government, the Tax Court or the Supreme Court.
If, within 120 days after a decision of the Tax Court becomes final, the commissioner does
not refund the overpayment determined by the court, together with interest, on motion by the
taxpayer, the Tax Court shall have jurisdiction to order the refund of the overpayment and interest,
and to award reasonable litigation costs for bringing the motion. If any tax, assessment, or other
obligation be increased upon such appeal or review, the increase shall be added to the original
amount, and may be enforced and collected therewith.
History: (2362-21) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 21; 1945 c 604 s 26; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1973 c 582 s 3;
1976 c 134 s 78; 1977 c 307 s 19,29; 1Sp1985 c 14 art 15 s 5; 1986 c 444; 1990 c 604 art 1 s 19;
2003 c 112 art 2 s 50; 2005 c 151 art 2 s 17; 2006 c 259 art 8 s 7

271.13 MAY COMPEL ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES.
The Tax Court and each judge of the tax court shall, respectively, have power to subpoena
and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, records, papers, and
documents at any hearing or investigation at any place within the state in any matter within the
scope of their authority, and shall also have power to administer oaths to witnesses and to take
testimony under oath. Disobedience of an order of the Tax Court or any subpoena or refusal by
any witness to be sworn or to testify upon any material matter at any such hearing or investigation
shall be punishable in like manner as a contempt of the district court, in proceedings instituted
upon complaint of the authority issuing the order or subpoena in the district court of the county
where the order was made or the subpoena was made returnable. Subpoenas for witnesses or the
production of documentary evidence shall be issued at the request of any party to the proceeding.
Subpoenas may be signed by a judge of the tax court or the court administrator of the Tax Court
on behalf of the Tax Court, as the case may be.
History: (2362-22) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 22; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1973 c 582 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78;
1977 c 307 s 20,29; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1989 c 324 s 16

271.14 [Repealed, 1977 c 307 s 31]

271.15 WHO MAY ADMINISTER OATHS.
Each judge of the Tax Court, the administrator and court administrators of the Tax Court, and
all other officers and employees of the Tax Court shall, respectively, have power to administer
oaths and to take and certify acknowledgments so far as they may deem necessary to the proper
discharge of their respective duties, and may authenticate the same with the seal of the Tax Court.
History: (2362-24) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 24; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1973 c 582 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78;
1977 c 307 s 21,29; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1987 c 384 art 1 s 24; 1989 c 324 s 17

271.16 [Repealed, 1977 c 307 s 31]

271.17 FILING OFFICERS.
The Tax Court administrator and the district court administrators shall be the filing officers
and custodians of the books, files, and records of the Tax Court. The administrator and clerks,
and their deputies shall have power to certify and authenticate copies of the books, files, and
records in their custody for all purposes in like manner and with like effect as other custodians
of public records. A judge of the Tax Court and any other officer or employee of the Tax Court
thereto authorized by the Tax Court by written order filed with the administrator of the Tax Court
shall also have like power to certify and authenticate copies of any books, files, and records of
the Tax Court specified in the order.
History: (2362-26) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 26; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1973 c 582 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78;
1977 c 307 s 22,29; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1989 c 324 s 18

271.18 EX-JUDGES NOT TO REPRESENT CLIENTS; EXCEPTION; VIOLATION.
No judge or employee of the Tax Court, except referees appointed for the small claims
division, shall, within one year after the office or employment has terminated, act as counsel,
attorney, or agent for a taxpayer in connection with any claim or proceeding pending in the
department of revenue or in the Tax Court at the time of termination. No judge, referee, or
employee shall, at any time after the termination of the office or employment, act as counsel,
attorney, or agent in connection with any claim or proceeding of which the person terminated has
knowledge which was acquired in the course of a term of office or employment in the Tax Court.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be a gross misdemeanor.
History: (2362-27) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 27; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1973 c 582 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78;
1977 c 307 s 23,29; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 324 s 19

271.19 COSTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.
Upon the determination of any appeal under this chapter before the Tax Court, or of any
review hereunder by the Supreme Court, the costs and disbursements shall be taxed and allowed
in favor of the prevailing party and against the losing party as in civil actions or, if there has been
an offer of judgment or settlement by a party prior to ten days before the court hears the appeal,
pursuant to Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure, rule 68. In any case where a person liable for a
tax or other obligation has lost an appeal or review instituted by the person, and the Tax Court
or court shall determine that the person instituted the same merely for the purposes of delay, or
that the taxpayer's position in the proceedings is frivolous, additional costs, commensurate with
the expense incurred and services performed by the agencies of the state in connection with
the appeal, but not exceeding $5,000 in any case, may be allowed against the taxpayer, in the
discretion of the Tax Court or court. Costs and disbursements allowed against any such person
shall be added to the tax or other obligation determined to be due, and shall be payable therewith.
To the extent described in section 15.471, where an award of costs and attorney fees is authorized
under section 15.472, the costs and fees shall be allowed against the state, including expenses
incurred by the taxpayer to administratively protest or appeal to the department of revenue the
order, decision, or report of the commissioner that is the subject of the Tax Court proceedings.
Costs and disbursements allowed against the state or other public agencies shall be paid out of
funds received from taxes or other obligations of the kind involved in the proceeding, or other
funds of the agency concerned appropriated and available therefor. Witnesses in proceedings
under this chapter shall receive like fees as in the district court, to be paid in the first instance by
the parties by whom the witnesses were called, and to be taxed and allowed as herein provided.
History: (2362-28) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 28; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78; 1977 c 307 s 29;
1984 c 514 art 3 s 3; 1986 c 444; 1990 c 604 art 1 s 20; 1991 c 345 art 1 s 86; 1997 c 231 art 16 s 7

271.20 DECISIONS FILED WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
All questions of fact and law and all matters submitted to the judges of the Tax Court shall be
disposed of and their decision filed with the court administrator of the Tax Court within three
months after such submission, unless sickness or casualty shall prevent, or the time be extended
by written consent of the parties. No part of the salary of any judge of the Tax Court shall be paid
unless the voucher therefor be accompanied by the judge's certificate of full compliance with the
requirements of this section. A Tax Court judge shall devote full time to the duties of the office
and shall not engage in the practice of law.
History: (2362-30) 1939 c 431 art 6 s 30; 1965 c 698 s 3; 1976 c 134 s 78; 1977 c 307
s 24,29; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82

271.21 SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION.
    Subdivision 1. Division created; judges. There shall be a division of the Tax Court known
as the Small Claims Division. The judges of the Tax Court shall sit as judges of the Small Claims
Division. Each judge shall have authority to hear and decide the cases heard as small claims judge.
    Subd. 2. Jurisdiction. At the election of the taxpayer, the Small Claims Division shall
have jurisdiction only in the following matters:
(a) cases involving valuation, assessment, or taxation of real or personal property, if:
(i) the issue is a denial of a current year application for the homestead classification for the
taxpayer's property;
(ii) only one parcel is included in the petition, the entire parcel is classified as homestead
class 1a or 1b under section 273.13, and the parcel contains no more than one dwelling unit;
(iii) the entire property is classified as agricultural homestead class 2a or 1b under section
273.13; or
(iv) the assessor's estimated market value of the property included in the petition is less
than $300,000; or
(b) any case not involving valuation, assessment, or taxation of real and personal property in
which the amount in controversy does not exceed $5,000, including penalty and interest.
    Subd. 3. Appeal election. A taxpayer may elect to appeal in the Small Claims Division
instead of appealing to the regular division of the Tax Court. If the taxpayer elects to appeal to the
Small Claims Division, and 30 days have elapsed since the filing of the appeal, or briefs have
been filed or a hearing held on the matter, whichever occurs first, the taxpayer shall not appeal to
the regular division in the same matter. A taxpayer who elects to appeal to the regular division
shall not appeal to the Small Claims Division in the same matter.
    Subd. 4.[Repealed, 1989 c 324 s 29]
    Subd. 5. Commencement of proceeding. A taxpayer shall commence a proceeding in the
Small Claims Division by filing with the court administrator of the Tax Court a petition in the
form prescribed by the rules of the Tax Court, which shall state the nature of the taxpayer's claim.
Upon the filing of a petition by the taxpayer to the Small Claims Division, the court administrator
of the Tax Court shall give notice thereof to the commissioner or to the appropriate unit of
government, who shall thereafter be deemed a party to the proceeding. In the event a petition
is filed, the Small Claims Division shall thereafter have exclusive jurisdiction over the case if
it meets the requirements of subdivision 2.
    Subd. 6. Hearing. The hearing in the Small Claims Division shall be informal and without a
jury. The judge may hear any testimony and receive any evidence the judge deems necessary or
desirable for a just determination of the case. Sales ratio studies published by the Department of
Revenue may be admissible as a public record without foundation. All testimony shall be given
under oath. A party may appear personally or may be represented or accompanied by an attorney.
No transcript of the proceedings shall be kept.
    Subd. 7. Dismissal. At any time prior to entry of judgment, a taxpayer may dismiss a case in
the Small Claims Division by notifying the court administrator of the Tax Court in writing. The
dismissal shall be with prejudice and shall not revoke the election specified in subdivision 3.
    Subd. 8. Judgment. The judgment in the Small Claims Division shall be conclusive upon
all parties and may not be appealed. The court may order the commissioner or the appropriate
unit of government to modify or cancel an assessment, pay or allow a refund, or take other action
necessary to effectuate the judgment. Notice that no appeal may be had from a small claims
judgment shall appear prominently on the petition form. The judgment shall not be considered
as judicial precedent and shall have no force or effect in any other case, hearing, or proceeding.
No judgment shall be rendered in a case dealing with property valuation or assessment for
property tax purposes until after the state Board of Equalization has issued its order, if any, for
that area or property.
    Subd. 9. Subpoenas. Subpoenas in a proceeding in the Small Claims Division will be issued
only at the discretion of the court.
    Subd. 10. Referees. Whenever the Small Claims Division trial docket becomes congested
with appeals involving valuation, classification, and assessment of property for tax purposes, the
judges of the Tax Court may appoint referees to hear the cases appealed to the Small Claims
Division. Each referee shall have authority to hear and decide the cases heard as small claims
referee. Each referee shall be a citizen of Minnesota and shall have experience with and
knowledge of tax law or property taxation and property values, depending on the case at issue. A
referee shall be paid at a rate of 80 percent of the salary of the judges of the district court in that
county, prorated by the length of time served as a referee. Each referee shall receive actual and
necessary expenses paid or incurred in the performance of duties.
    Subd. 11. Applicability. The provisions of sections 271.01 to 271.20, shall apply to
proceedings in the Small Claims Division unless this section expressly provides otherwise.
History: 1977 c 307 s 25; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1987 c 268 art 7 s 25; 1989 c
324 s 20,21; 1991 c 291 art 1 s 9; 1992 c 511 art 2 s 8; 1995 c 186 s 53; 1999 c 243 art 5 s 2;
1Sp2001 c 5 art 3 s 15; 2002 c 377 art 4 s 5

271.22 [Repealed, 1989 c 324 s 29]