Property assessors offices in South Dakota education and training will teach you how to appraise personal and real and personal property in order to estimate its fair market value. Property assessors may also assess property for the purpose of setting property taxes in accordance with a prescribed schedule.

The requirements needed to become a South Dakota assessor are complex and vary by the type and value of the property being appraised. Generally, these requirements may be grouped in the following categories:

1. Education. While there are no formal degree requirements for property assessors in South Dakota, most practicing assessors have at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in economics, finance or real estate. However, the specific courses that a property assessor needs are usually taken at a community college or professional assessor organization.
2. On-the-job training. This is required to obtain a license or certification and should be acquired in the office of an independent fee appraiser, if possible.
3. Licensure. Federal law requires that South Dakota property assessors have a state-issued license if they will be involved in transactions requiring a federal loan of $250,000 or more.
   

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Complete the courses needed to work in a South Dakota assessors office

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students to perform a South Dakota property appraisal. These institutions should update their curriculum frequently to reflect changes in the state's educational requirements for property appraisers.

I recommend: ClickCE offers the qualifying education that is approved for appraisers in South Dakota. The curriculum approved by Van Education Center is approved by the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) for South Dakota appraisers.

Get on-the-job training to perform a South Dakota property assessment

Job training for South Dakota property appraisers has specific requirements, as laid out by the South Dakota Real Estate Appraisers Board. These requirements stipulate the length of time the training must take, the way in which the mentor must monitor the process and the type of experience the trainee must acquire.

I recommend: The South Dakota Department of Revenue and Regulation summarizes the experience requirements for each category of appraiser in South Dakota. The South Dakota Legislature specifies the complete requirements for appraisers, including work experience.

Become a licensed South Dakota property tax assessor

South Dakota recognizes four categories of appraisers. A state registered appraiser may perform appraisals on property worth less than $250,000 and a licensed appraiser may also appraise residential property of up to $1,000,000. A certified residential appraiser can perform appraisals on non-residential worth less than $250,000 and residential property of any value. A certified general appraiser can perform appraisals on all types of property.

I recommend: eLicense School summarizes the state requirements for each type of appraisal license in South Dakota. The South Dakota Association of Assessing Officers provides the certification requirements for property tax assessors in South Dakota and links to certification courses.

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• •  South Dakota property assessors must meet the minimum certification and licensing requirements established by the AQB of the Appraisal Foundation. However, many states have more stringent licensing requirements than those required by the AQB. For example, a state may require an appraisal license for all appraisers regardless of the transaction value of the property.

South Dakota assessors usually work for individual counties. They are responsible for going around and checking out all properties within county limits, whether they are parcels of land, homes or businesses. South Dakota property records get updated regularly, especially when it comes to new construction and structural improvements.

There is a lot of information to aid your real estate investments at your South Dakota assessor's office, including parcel maps, records of property value, ownership changes for properties and property descriptions. Assessors also analyze trends in property sales, the cost of building a new property and the average expense for renting property. Assessors help you to:

1. Evaluate whether South Dakota property assessors assess your property fairly.

2. Research properties using South Dakota land values to determine true market worth.

3. Track property market trends by comparing and contrasting similar South Dakota property records.

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Educate yourself on how a South Dakota property assessment is done

South Dakota property owners may be taxed in several ways by several municipalities. The South Dakota Assessors Office determines the market value of property. There has been a cap on all the taxing districts since 1997. It's equal to the previous year's amount plus the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index, not to exceed 3% and a percentage increase due to new construction.

I recommend: View property tax legislation and tax statistics from the South Dakota Department of Revenue and Regulation Property Tax Division. The South Dakota Municipal League tracks property tax information, too. Bankrate.com explains how property assessments are completed; just click on the "Property" tab for more information.

Use online tools to search a South Dakota property registry

Many South Dakota county assessors post tax information online as the information is public record. Some counties offer free tools that allow you to type in search criteria, while others require a subscription.

I recommend: Check out property tax information with the South Dakota Tax Assessor and Property Tax Records Directory. Searchsystems.net, a subscription based service, allows you to obtain property tax information for around $5 a month. LoopNet requires you to register; but there's no charge to use the database.

Determine potential taxes based on similar South Dakota property assessments

When buying a home or business, take a look at the South Dakota assessor's records. If he has the comparable property assessed at $100,000, then you can assume that yours will be close to that. If you find that your property assessment is out of line with comparable properties, ask for an informal hearing with the tax assessor. If you can't get one, file a grievance.

I recommend: Review comparable tax records through Florence County's Tax Inquiry tool. Read up on Brown County's appeal process or access their Online Geographic Information System (GIS) tool to search for county property records. Use Minnehaha County's property search tool for a review of comparable properties within this county.

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• •  A South Dakota property assessment doesn't necessarily equal what you'll get for your investment property should you decide to resell. It's usually worth more than your assessment on the real estate market.

Property assessors offices - South Dakota basics should include an understanding of the essential functions that these offices perform. The primary purpose of a property assessor is to estimate the fair market value of real property. The government usually performs property assessment at the county or city level to determine the property taxes that each property owner should pay. Private companies also perform property appraisals, usually for people seeking to buy or sell a home.

There are many sources of information for people who wish to learn more about the laws that affect a South Dakota assessor. These sources generally provide information for the following categories:

1. State-specific information on South Dakota property records. All property assessors in South Dakota must follow the same state laws and procedures.
2. Local property assessors offices. These offices will have the most current information on a specific property within that city or county. Property owners also appeal property assessments through the local property assessors office in most cases.
3. Commercial property appraisers. Private appraisers attempt to estimate the value of a property for the purpose of obtaining a loan. They frequently specialize in properties within a particular geographic area.
   

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Find information on South Dakota property tax records that is common to all property in South Dakota

South Dakota has information on property assessment that is common to all counties and cities in South Dakota. This may include state laws on property assessment and answers to frequently asked questions.

I recommend: The South Dakota Department of Revenue and Regulation provides a variety of state-level information on property taxes. The South Dakota Association of Assessing Officers provides regular monthly newsletters on property assessment in South Dakota.

Get information on property assessment from your local South Dakota property appraisers office

The property assessor for your county or city will frequently allow you to search for South Dakota property records online. This office usually calculates the assessment by using a general formula, although they may also perform an on-site assessment on a specific property.

I recommend: The Assessor for Brown County describes the duties of that office and also provides an online property search. The Director for Equalization for Lake County provides a variety of basic information for property assessment, including an appeals process guide.

Locate basic information on South Dakota property assessment from a private property appraiser

A mortgage lender in South Dakota will generally require a property appraisal before approving a loan. Private property appraisers frequently provide general information on property appraisals and also may have specific knowledge about a particular area.

I recommend: TLT Appraisal Service provides property appraisals in South Dakota and also lists common reasons for performing an appraisal. Duffy Appraisals offers a general description of several different types of appraisals, such as a relocation appraisal.

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• •  South Dakota property assessors must calculate the amount of each property tax. The assessed value of the property is multiplied by the tax rate for each type of tax to obtain the dollar amount for that tax. Real property may be subject to a variety of property taxes that support essential functions, such as government and education. Each of these taxes has a specific tax rate.

South Dakota property assessors offices laws and regulations control the methods that property assessors use to estimate the value of real property. South Dakota property appraisers usually perform assessments against a given standard, such as fair market value, distressed sale value or foreclosure value. The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) provides quality control standards for the appraisal of real property in the United States. The USPAP does not actually define standards of value for property assessments, but does provide guidance on how they should be defined.

There are many different sources of information on the laws regarding a South Dakota assessor. These sources include the three following categories:

1. The South Dakota state government. These sources provide the state laws and other official information on property assessors in South Dakota.
2. County and municipal governments in South Dakota. These sources provide the rules and procedures for a specific property assessors office in South Dakota.
3. Law firms in South Dakota that specialize in property law. Many of these firms provide general information on the property tax laws in South Dakota.
   

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Examine the laws that control SD assessors

The state government of South Dakota will have specific laws for property tax assessors. Private organizations also provide summaries and general information on property tax assessor laws in South Dakota.

I recommend: The South Dakota Legislature covers property assessments in Chapter 10-11 of the South Dakota codified laws. Purdue University provides the legal standard of value for property assessment in South Dakota.

Study the procedures for conducting South Dakota property assessment in a particular jurisdiction

Local governments have specific procedures for property assessments and also may offer a South Dakota property tax search. A complete list of South Dakota property tax records also may be available.

I recommend: The County Assessor for Brown County summarizes the property assessment method that South Dakota law requires and also provides an online property search. The Lawrence County Assessor provides the legal procedure for appealing a property assessment in that county.

Review South Dakota property assessors laws from private organizations in South Dakota

Private organizations in South Dakota such as law firms or political lobby groups frequently offer summaries on the property taxes that are assessed in South Dakota. They also may write articles on specific issues regarding property taxes in South Dakota.

I recommend: The South Dakota State Historical Society provides the property tax benefits of owning historical structures and cites the relevant property tax law in South Dakota. The April 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 1 newsletter at Woods Fuller offers an article on property tax legislation in South Dakota.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The laws on South Dakota property assessment are generally guided by the Financial Institutions Reform and Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) of 1989. This federal legislation requires all states to have a system to certify and license real estate appraisers. Prior to the passage of the FIRREA, there were no national standards for ensuring the quality of real estate appraisers in the United States.