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Codified Laws

CHAPTER 10-4

PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

10-4-1    Property generally subject to taxation.

10-4-2    Definition of real property for ad valorem taxation purposes.

10-4-2.1    Improvements on leased sites taxed as real property--Collection of delinquent taxes.

10-4-2.2    Personal property defined for ad valorem taxation.

10-4-2.3    Portable livestock shelters not real property.

10-4-2.4    Manufactured homes and mobile homes as real property.

10-4-2.5    Transfer or reassignment of manufactured home classed as real property--Affidavit requirement.

10-4-2.6    Sale of manufactured home or mobile home by licensed dealer--Reporting requirements.

10-4-2.7    Manufactured home reclassified as exempt.

10-4-3    Assessment and description of land acquired by reliction.

10-4-4    Trees under Timber Culture Act not considered improvement.

10-4-5    Valuation of land containing artesian well.

10-4-6    10-4-6. Repealed by SL 1992, ch 80, § 13.

10-4-6.1    Exemption from taxation of personal property not centrally assessed--Taxes or fees in lieu unimpaired.

10-4-7    Report of publicly owned property filed with secretary of revenue--Availability to county director.

10-4-8    Property acquired for highway purposes exempt.

10-4-8.1    Local industrial development corporation property exempt--Limitations.

10-4-9    Property owned by religious society and used exclusively for religious purposes exempt--Sale of property by religious society.

10-4-9.1    Property owned by public charity and used for charitable purposes exempt.

10-4-9.2    Property owned by benevolent organization and used exclusively for benevolent purposes exempt--Exception.

10-4-9.3    Property owned by nonprofit corporation, organization, or society and used primarily for health care and related purposes exempt.

10-4-9.4    Congregate housing facility owned by nonprofit corporation, organization, or society exempt--Conditions.

10-4-9.5    Continuum of care defined--Additional health care.

10-4-10    Agricultural land of charitable, benevolent, and religious societies.

10-4-11    Residential and mercantile property belonging to societies taxable.

10-4-12    Property of charitable, benevolent, or religious society used partly for income and partly for society purposes.

10-4-13    Educational institution property exempt--Exceptions.

10-4-13.1    Agricultural structures specially classified--Amount exempt from taxation--Relative defined.

10-4-13.2    Nonexempt use of educational institution property--Assessed value.

10-4-14    Property of agricultural and horticultural societies exempt.

10-4-15    Application for exemption of business incubator, charitable, religious, educational, or local industrial development property.

10-4-15.1    Publication of list of tax-exempt property.

10-4-16    Examination, recommendations, and determination of application for tax-exempt status.

10-4-17    Notice and hearing on preliminary determination of taxability of charitable, religious and educational institution property--Final determination.

10-4-18    Appeal from county board determination that property is taxable.

10-4-19    Continuation of tax-exempt status of property--Annual statement required--Recommendation for change in status--Annual statement not necessary for certain property.

10-4-19.1    Time of determination of exempt status--Apportionment when property transferred to exempt entity.

10-4-19.2    Apportionment when property transferred from exempt entity to nonexempt entity.

10-4-20    Permanent record and annual report of tax-exempt property.

10-4-21    Periodic review of tax-exempt property--Board action to change status--Review requested by secretary of revenue.

10-4-22    Effective date of change in tax-exempt status.

10-4-23    Tax-exempt and railroad property taxed to long-term lessee or contract purchaser.

10-4-23.1    10-4-23.1. Repealed by SL 2015, ch 63, § 1.

10-4-24    Homestead exempt from state taxes--Description of homestead included in assessment statement--Apportionment of value.

10-4-24.1    10-4-24.1 to 10-4-24.8. Repealed by SL 1974, ch 89, § 15.

10-4-24.9    Paraplegic dwellings specially classified for tax purposes--Lands included.

10-4-24.10    Exemption for dwelling of paraplegic or amputee veteran or surviving spouse.

10-4-24.11    Reduction of tax on dwelling owned by paraplegic.

10-4-24.12    Percentage of paraplegic's tax reduction for single-member household.

10-4-24.13    Percentage of paraplegic's tax reduction for multiple-member household.

10-4-24.14    Reduction of tax on dwelling owned by paraplegic--Application.

10-4-24.15    Paraplegic tax reduction--Annual increase--Index factor.

10-4-25    Cemetery lot exempt.

10-4-26    Exemption from property tax penalties of persons serving in armed forces during hostilities.

10-4-27    10-4-27. Repealed by SL 1978, ch 72, § 30.

10-4-28    10-4-28. Repealed by SL 1992, ch 80, § 17.

10-4-29    Repealed by SL 2012, ch 60, § 1.

10-4-30    Single-family dwellings of disabled or senior citizens classified.

10-4-31    10-4-31, 10-4-32. Repealed by SL 1997, ch 57, §§ 4, 5.

10-4-33    Repealed

10-4-34    Repealed

10-4-35    Wellness center defined--Taxable percentage.

10-4-36    10-4-36 to 10-4-38. Repealed by SL 2010, ch 47, §§ 5 to 7.

10-4-39    Exemption of facility operated as a multi-tenant business incubator.

10-4-40    Partial exemption--Owner-occupied dwellings of certain disabled veterans.

10-4-41    Partial exemption--Owner-occupied dwellings of surviving spouses of certain veterans.

10-4-42    Renewable resource defined.

10-4-43    Renewable energy facility defined.

10-4-44    Renewable energy facilities with less than five megawatts of nameplate capacity classified--Property taxable--Exemption.

10-4-45    Renewable energy property not subject to discretionary formulas.

10-4-46    Labor union property used exclusively for educational purpose exempt.

10-4-47    Rejected by referendum.



10-4-1Property generally subject to taxation.

All real property in this state and the property of corporations existing or hereafter created, and the property of all banks or banking companies existing or hereafter created, except such as is hereinafter expressly excepted, is subject to taxation; and such property, or the value thereof, shall be entered in the list of taxable property for that purpose, in the manner prescribed in chapter 10-6.

Source: SL 1897, ch 28, § 2; RPolC 1903, § 2053; RC 1919, § 6667; SDC 1939, § 57.0310; SL 1992, ch 80, § 11.



10-4-2Definition of real property for ad valorem taxation purposes.

Real property, for the purposes of ad valorem taxation, includes:

(1)    Land and all rights and privileges thereto belonging;

(2)    Improvements to land and all rights and privileges thereto belonging, consisting of items permanently affixed to and becoming part of the real estate. The term, permanently affixed, refers to the economic life of the improvement rather than perpetuity;

(3)    Mines, minerals, and quarries;

(4)    Buildings and structures which are on foundations, and improvements to buildings and structures including any heating system, air conditioning, ventilation, sanitation, lighting, or plumbing which is part of the building or structure; and

(5)    Mobile homes as defined in subdivision 32-3-1(8) which are on foundations.

For assessment purposes, a structure is anything constructed or erected from an assembly of materials, which requires a permanent location on or in the ground.

For assessment purposes, a building is a structure designed to stand permanently and cover a space of land which is enclosed by walls and is covered with a roof.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0312; SL 1974, ch 88, § 3; SL 1987, ch 29, § 3; SL 1992, ch 74, § 1; SL 1997, ch 51, § 1.



10-4-2.1Improvements on leased sites taxed as real property--Collection of delinquent taxes.

Buildings and improvements on leased sites are classified for tax purposes and are taxed as real property. Delinquent taxes on these buildings and improvements shall be collected as provided for the collection of taxes on manufactured homes pursuant to chapter 10-22.

Source: SL 1978, ch 72, § 4; SL 1982, ch 87; SL 1992, ch 80, § 12.



10-4-2.2Personal property defined for ad valorem taxation.

Personal property for the purpose of ad valorem taxation is all property not included within the definition of real property. Tools, implements, machinery, or equipment used in the business, production, trade, processing, or manufacturing activities are personal property.

Source: SL 1992, ch 74, § 2; SL 1997, ch 51, § 2.



10-4-2.3Portable livestock shelters not real property.

Real property as defined in § 10-4-2 does not include portable livestock shelters.

Source: SL 1993, ch 78.



10-4-2.4Manufactured homes and mobile homes as real property.

Real property, for the purposes of ad valorem taxation, includes manufactured homes as defined in subdivision 32-3-1(6) and mobile homes as defined in subdivision 32-3-1(8). This section does not apply to any manufactured home in the inventory of any dealer as defined in subdivision 32-7A-1(2).

Source: SL 1997, ch 52, § 1; SL 1998, ch 49, § 1; SL 1999, ch 83, §§ 2, 4, 7, 10; SL 2015, ch 61, § 1.



10-4-2.5Transfer or reassignment of manufactured home classed as real property--Affidavit requirement.

Any transfer or reassignment of a manufactured home classified as real property pursuant to § 10-4-2.4 shall be accompanied by an affidavit, issued by the county treasurer of the county in which the manufactured home is assessed, stating the real property taxes that are due and payable at the time of transfer have been paid in full. No title may be transferred unless the real property taxes under §§ 10-9-3 and 10-21-4 are paid.

Source: SL 1997, ch 52, § 2; SL 2018, ch 59, § 1.



10-4-2.6Sale of manufactured home or mobile home by licensed dealer--Reporting requirements.

If a manufactured home or mobile home is sold by a licensed manufactured home dealer, the dealer shall complete the manufactured home listing form, as prescribed by the secretary of revenue, and send the completed form to the director of equalization of the county in which the manufactured home was delivered. The form shall be sent within thirty days after the delivery of the manufactured home.

Source: SL 1997, ch 52, § 3; SL 1998, ch 49, § 2; SL 1999, ch 83, §§ 3, 5, 8, 11; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 82; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 11-1), § 161, eff. Apr. 12, 2011; SL 2015, ch 61, § 2.



10-4-2.7Manufactured home reclassified as exempt.

If a manufactured home being sold is reclassified as exempt property, in addition to taxes due and payable at the time of the sale, the current year's real property taxes shall be paid at the time of title transfer.

Source: SL 2018, ch 59, § 6.



10-4-3Assessment and description of land acquired by reliction.

Lands acquired by reliction in meandered dry lake beds shall be assessed as platted by number of lots in the same manner as other real estate is assessed, and such lands shall be taxed in the same manner as other real estate, and the description of such relicted land by the number of the lot thereof without giving the metes and bounds shall be deemed a sufficient description in all assessments, and notices and taxation proceedings.

Source: SL 1903, ch 173, § 5; RC 1919, § 6706; SDC 1939, § 57.0312.



10-4-4Trees under Timber Culture Act not considered improvement.

Trees planted under the Timber Culture Act of Congress shall not be considered as improvement on land for the purpose of taxation.

Source: SL 1897, ch 28, § 3; RPolC 1903, § 2054; RC 1919, § 6668; SDC 1939, § 57.0312.



10-4-5Valuation of land containing artesian well.

The land upon which any artesian well is located shall not be assessed at any greater value by reason of such improvement, but such land shall be assessed the same as other lands in that locality of the same general character not irrigated or watered by artesian wells.

Source: SL 1897, ch 28, § 3; RPolC 1903, § 2054; RC 1919, § 6668; SDC 1939, § 57.0312.



10-4-6
     10-4-6.   Repealed by SL 1992, ch 80, § 13.



10-4-6.1Exemption from taxation of personal property not centrally assessed--Taxes or fees in lieu unimpaired.

Personal property, as defined in this chapter, which is not centrally assessed is hereby classified for ad valorem tax purposes and is exempt from ad valorem taxation. This exemption does not impair or repeal any tax or fee authorized to be levied or imposed in lieu of personal property tax.

Source: SL 1978, ch 72, §§ 2, 9; SL 1992, ch 80, § 14.



10-4-7Report of publicly owned property filed with secretary of revenue--Availability to county director.

The state and all political subdivisions shall file a report with the secretary of revenue of all its tax-exempt property upon such forms and at such times as shall be determined by the secretary of revenue and such reports shall be made available to the county director of equalization.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311 as added by SL 1967, ch 316; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 82; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 11-1), § 161, eff. Apr. 12, 2011.



10-4-8Property acquired for highway purposes exempt.

All real property, irrespective of the person or persons to whom the same shall be assessed, acquired by the State of South Dakota or by any political or executive subdivision thereof, and used exclusively for public highway purposes, shall be exempt from taxation.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311 as added by SL 1961, ch 439.



10-4-8.1. Local industrial development corporation property exempt--Limitations.

Two million five hundred thousand dollars of the full and true value of the total amount of real property or portion of real property owned by a local industrial development corporation, defined pursuant to § 5-14-23, is exempt from property taxation. The full and true value of the real property that is in excess of two million five hundred thousand dollars shall be taxed as other real property of the same class is taxed. No real property which is leased to an entity not otherwise exempt from property taxes, pursuant to chapter 10-4, may receive a property tax exemption pursuant to this section. No real property located in a tax increment financing district, created pursuant to chapter 11-9, may receive a property tax exemption pursuant to this section.

Source: SL 2006, ch 36, § 1; SL 2016, ch 56, § 1; SL 2018, ch 70, § 48; SL 2023, ch 27, § 1.



10-4-9Property owned by religious society and used exclusively for religious purposes exempt--Sale of property by religious society.

Property owned by any religious society and used exclusively for religious purposes, is exempt from taxation. Property of a religious society is exempt from taxation if such property is a building or structure used exclusively for religious purposes, is a lot owned by a religious society for the exclusive purpose of parking vehicles owned by members of such society and is not rented or leased to nonmembers of such society, is an educational plant owned and operated by a religious society or is a building or structure used to house any cleric of a religious society. However, any property which is sold by a religious society under a contract for deed shall be taxed as other property of the same class, unless such property is sold to an entity which is exempt from taxation pursuant to this chapter and the property is used for an exempt purpose.

Source: SL 1897, ch 28, § 5; RPolC 1903, § 2056; RC 1919, § 6670; SL 1919, ch 106; SL 1927, ch 46, § 2; SL 1929, ch 243; SDC 1939, § 57.0311 (3); SL 1986, ch 83, § 1; SL 1995, ch 54, § 1.



10-4-9.1Property owned by public charity and used for charitable purposes exempt.

Property owned by a public charity and used for charitable purposes is exempt from taxation. A public charity is any organization or society which devotes its resources to the relief of the poor, distressed, or underprivileged. A public charity shall receive a majority of its revenue from donations, public funds, membership fees, or program fees generated solely to cover operating expenses; it shall lessen a governmental burden by providing its services to people who would otherwise use governmental services; it shall offer its services to people regardless of their ability to pay for such services; it shall be nonprofit and recognized as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as defined by § 10-1-47; and it may not have any of its assets available to any private interest.

Source: SL 1986, ch 83, § 2; SL 2009, ch 39, § 1; SL 2010, ch 45, § 1; SL 2011, ch 48, § 1; SL 2012, ch 59, § 1; SL 2013, ch 42, § 1; SL 2014, ch 54, § 1; SL 2015, ch 62, § 1; SL 2016, ch 54, § 2.



10-4-9.2Property owned by benevolent organization and used exclusively for benevolent purposes exempt--Exception.

Property owned by a benevolent organization and used exclusively for benevolent purposes is exempt from taxation. A benevolent organization is any lodge, patriotic organization, memorial association, educational association, cemetery association, or similar association. A benevolent organization shall be nonprofit and recognized as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as defined by § 10-1-47. However, if any such property consists of improved or unimproved property located within a municipality not occupied or directly used in carrying out the primary objective of the benevolent organization owning the same, such property shall be taxed the same as other property of the same class is taxed. However, if any such property consists of agricultural land, such property shall be taxed the same as other property of the same class is taxed. For the purposes of this section, an educational association is a group of accredited elementary, secondary, or postsecondary schools. For the purposes of this section, a benevolent organization also includes a congressionally chartered veterans organization which is nonprofit and recognized as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(4) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as defined by § 10-1-47.

For purposes of this section, benevolent purpose means an activity that serves the poor, distressed or underprivileged, promotes the physical or mental welfare of youths or disadvantaged individuals, or relieves a government burden.

Source: SL 1986, ch 83, § 3; SL 1991, ch 77; SL 1992, ch 71; SL 1992, ch 72; SL 1992, ch 75; SL 2009, ch 39, § 2; SL 2010, ch 45, § 2; SL 2011, ch 48, § 2; SL 2012, ch 59, § 2; SL 2013, ch 42, § 2; SL 2014, ch 54, § 2; SL 2015, ch 62, § 2; SL 2016, ch 54, § 3.



10-4-9.3Property owned by nonprofit corporation, organization, or society and used primarily for health care and related purposes exempt.

Property owned by any corporation, organization, or society and used primarily for human health care and health care related purposes is exempt from taxation. Such corporation, organization, or society shall be nonprofit and recognized as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as defined by § 10-1-47, and none of its assets may be available to any private interest. The property shall be a health care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 34-12, orphanage, mental health center or community support provider regulated under chapter 27A-5, or camp. The facility shall admit all persons for treatment consistent with the facility's ability to provide health care services required by the patient until the facility is filled to its ordinary capacity and conform to all applicable regulations of and permit inspections by the state as otherwise provided by law.

Source: SL 1986, ch 83, § 4; SL 1988, ch 83; SL 2004, ch 81, § 1; SL 2009, ch 39, § 3; SL 2009, ch 138, § 4; SL 2010, ch 45, § 3; SL 2011, ch 48, § 3; SL 2012, ch 59, § 3; SL 2013, ch 42, § 3; SL 2014, ch 54, § 3; SL 2015, ch 62, § 3; SL 2016, ch 54, § 4.



10-4-9.4Congregate housing facility owned by nonprofit corporation, organization, or society exempt--Conditions.

Any congregate housing facility owned by a corporation, organization, or society is exempt from certain property taxes, if the facility provides certain health care services and is recognized as an exempt nonprofit corporation, organization, or society under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as defined by § 10-1-47, and if none of its assets are available to any private interest. A congregate housing facility does provide health care services if the facility is an independent group-living environment operated and owned by a health care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 34-12 which offers a continuum of care, residential accommodations, and supporting services primarily for persons at least sixty-two years of age or disabled as defined pursuant to chapter 10-6A. Supporting services include the ability to provide health care and a food service that satisfies a balanced nutrition program. As part of the statement required by § 10-4-19, the owner of the congregate housing facility shall submit a statement to the county director of equalization listing the health care services provided and method used to satisfy the balanced nutrition program.

In addition, no owner may apply for a property tax exemption for a congregate housing facility constructed after July 1, 2004, unless the congregate housing facility:

(1)    Consists of two or more individual housing units located within one structure; and

(2)    Not more than twenty-five percent of the individual housing units exceed fifteen hundred square feet.

Source: SL 2004, ch 81, § 2; SL 2009, ch 39, § 4; SL 2010, ch 45, § 4; SL 2011, ch 48, § 4; SL 2012, ch 59, § 4; SL 2013, ch 42, § 4; SL 2014, ch 54, § 4; SL 2015, ch 62, § 4; SL 2016, ch 54, § 5.



10-4-9.5Continuum of care defined--Additional health care.

For the purposes of § 10-4-9.4, the term, continuum of care, means the ability of a licensed health care facility to provide living accommodations to any resident living in a congregate housing facility owned by such health care facility. If the resident requires additional health care services, the health care facility shall have sufficient facilities to permit residents to move into another level of care. This section does not require such health care facility to necessarily offer services normally provided by a hospital.

Source: SL 2004, ch 81, § 3.



10-4-10Agricultural land of charitable, benevolent and religious societies.

Agricultural land owned by a charitable, benevolent or religious society as described in §§ 10-4-9 to 10-4-9.2, inclusive, and used exclusively for charitable, benevolent, or religious purposes upon which the buildings used by such society or institution are situated is exempt from taxation up to but not exceeding eighty acres. Land conveyed by the United States government under 25 U.S.C. § 280, in aid of Indian mission schools is exempt from taxation. However, all other agricultural land owned by such societies or institutions shall be taxed as other agricultural land is taxed.

Source: SL 1929, ch 243; SDC 1939, § 57.0311(3); SL 1986, ch 83, § 5.



10-4-11Residential and mercantile property belonging to societies taxable.

If any property owned by any society or institution described in §§ 10-4-9 to 10-4-9.3, inclusive, shall consist of hotel or residence property, or any other class of retail business and such property is used or owned primarily for the purposes of revenue, and not for the primary object of such charitable, benevolent, or religious society, it shall be taxed as other property of the same class is taxed.

Source: SL 1927, ch 46, § 2; SL 1929, ch 243; SDC 1939, § 57.0311(3)(a); SL 1986, ch 83, § 6.



10-4-12Property of charitable, benevolent or religious society used partly for income and partly for society purposes.

If property owned by any health care organization or charitable, benevolent, or religious society described in § 10-4-9.4 and §§ 10-4-9 to 10-4-9.3, inclusive, other than agricultural land, is used partly by such health care organization or charitable, benevolent, or religious society for health care, charitable, benevolent, or religious purposes, and the remaining part is occupied, rented, or used for other than health care, charitable, benevolent, or religious purposes, the portion of property that is so occupied, rented, or used for other purposes, shall be taxed as other property of the same class is taxed. For the purpose of determining the value of the taxable portion of the property, the appraised value of the entire property shall be multiplied by the percentage of the entire property used for other than health care, charitable, benevolent, or religious purposes. The resulting value shall be multiplied by the percentage of time the property is used for other than health care, charitable, benevolent, or religious purposes. The resulting value shall be the assessed value for taxation purposes.

Source: SL 1927, ch 46, § 2; SL 1929, ch 243; SDC 1939, § 57.0311(3)(b); SL 1986, ch 83, § 7; SL 2004, ch 81, § 4.



10-4-13Educational institution property exempt--Exceptions.

All property owned by any educational institution in this state as a school which is accredited or approved as a school by the accreditation division within the Department of Education, by the board of regents or by a nationally recognized accreditation service is exempt from taxation. However, if any such property consists of agricultural land or improved or unimproved municipal property not occupied by a certified teacher or directly used in carrying out the primary object of the educational institution owning the same, it shall be taxed the same as other property of the same class is taxed. However, if any such educational institution is operated for profit, this exemption applies only to that portion of property which is used exclusively for student housing, student and administrative parking and instructional or administrative purposes.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311(2); SL 1967, ch 317; SL 1986, ch 83, § 8; SL 1989, ch 84; SL 1991, ch 78; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 63; SL 2018, ch 58, § 1.



10-4-13.1Agricultural structures specially classified--Amount exempt from taxation--Relative defined.

Buildings and structures, other than normally occupied dwellings on agricultural land and automobile garages or portions of buildings used for that purpose, which are used exclusively for agricultural purposes and situated on agricultural land are hereby specifically classified for tax purposes as agricultural property. Ten thousand dollars of the full and true value of all buildings located upon each building site and used in connection with the taxpayer's agricultural pursuits is exempt if there is a dwelling which is occupied by an owner or relative of an owner or a beneficiary of a trust or a trustee for at least six months of a year but not necessarily on the assessment date. Such dwelling shall be located on agricultural land and classified as nonagricultural property under § 10-6-110. The application requirement in § 10-4-15 does not apply to this section. If an owner is a corporation, trust, or a partnership, each stockholder, member, beneficiary, trustee, or partner who resides on such property shall be an owner pursuant to this section. For the purposes of this section, a relative is a person who is related within the third degree of kinship. However, no building site may receive more than one ten thousand dollar exemption pursuant to this section. For the purposes of this section, a manufactured home or a mobile home is a dwelling.

Source: SL 1977, ch 81, § 2; SL 1978, ch 71, § 2; SL 1979, ch 63, § 1; SL 1979, ch 64, § 1; SL 1991, ch 79; SL 1992, ch 76; SL 1993, ch 79; SL 1993, ch 80; SL 2021, ch 44, § 44.



10-4-13.2Nonexempt use of educational institution property--Assessed value.

If any property owned by an educational institution is used partly by such institution for purposes that are exempt under § 10-4-13 and partly for purposes that are not exempt under § 10-4-13, the portion of the property that is used for purposes that are not exempt shall be taxed as other property of the same class is taxed.

The appraised value of the entire property utilized by educational institutions operated for profit shall be multiplied by the percentage of the entire property used for other than student housing, student and administrative parking, and instructional or administrative purposes. The resulting value shall be multiplied by the percentage of time such property is used for other than student housing, student and administrative parking, and instructional or administrative purposes. The resulting value shall be the assessed value for taxation purposes.

Source: SL 1990, ch 69.



10-4-14Property of agricultural and horticultural societies exempt.

The grounds, buildings, and all property belonging to or used exclusively by agricultural and horticultural societies shall be exempt from taxation.

Source: SL 1897, ch 28, § 5; RPolC 1903, § 2056; RC 1919, § 6670; SL 1919, ch 106; SDC 1939, § 57.0311 (1).



10-4-15Application for exemption of business incubator, charitable, religious, educational, or local industrial development property.

Any person, organization, corporation, or association claiming a property tax exemption status for any property under §§ 10-4-8.1 to 10-4-14, inclusive, § 10-4-39, or as may otherwise be provided by law, shall apply for such exemption to the county director of equalization on forms prescribed by the secretary of revenue prior to November first of the tax year.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311 as added by SL 1967, ch 316; SL 1986, ch 83, § 9; SL 1991, ch 80; SL 1994, ch 74, § 1; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 82; SL 2006, ch 36, § 2; SL 2006, ch 37, § 2; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 11-1), § 161, eff. Apr. 12, 2011.



10-4-15.1Publication of list of tax-exempt property.

The director of equalization shall publish at least six days prior to the last Tuesday of March of each year in the official newspapers published in the county a list showing the legal owner, utilization, and a description of all property for which tax-exempt status is claimed under §§ 10-4-9 to 10-4-14, inclusive.

Source: SL 1973, ch 60; SL 1979, ch 66, § 4; SL 1986, ch 83, § 10; SL 1987, ch 83; SL 1996, ch 63, § 2.



10-4-16Examination, recommendations, and determination of application for tax-exempt status.

The county director of equalization shall examine and review applications under § 10-4-15 and shall recommend a taxable status or an exempt status for all or any part of such property at the annual meeting of the county board of equalization. The county board of equalization shall make a determination as to the status of such property.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311 as added by SL 1967, ch 316.



10-4-17Notice and hearing on preliminary determination of taxability of charitable, religious and educational institution property--Final determination.

If the county board of equalization makes a preliminary determination that all or any part of the property listed in the application has a taxable status, such applicant shall be given no less than seven days' written notice thereof and shall have an opportunity to be heard at any current session of the board and be given the opportunity to present any information relating to the issue. The board, after such hearing, shall make a final determination as to the status of such property.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311 as added by SL 1967, ch 316.



10-4-18Appeal from county board determination that property is taxable.

When an applicant under § 10-4-15 is denied a tax-exempt status on all or any part of such property by the board, the applicant shall have the right to appeal in the same manner and under the same procedure as provided by law from any other actions of the county board of equalization.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311 as added by SL 1967, ch 316.



10-4-19Continuation of tax-exempt status of property--Annual statement required--Recommendation for change in status--Annual statement not necessary for certain property.

If property has been granted a tax-exemption status under §§ 10-4-15 to 10-4-18, inclusive, such status for the property shall continue in such status commencing with the next taxable year following the final determination not subject to appeal. However, an annual statement shall be filed with the county director of equalization on or before November first of each year certifying that the use of the property has not changed during the year. Failure to file such a statement shall cause the county director of equalization to review the status of the property. The director may recommend to the county board of equalization that the status of the property be changed. Such a recommendation for a change in status constitutes a new application and the same procedures provided in §§ 10-4-15 to 10-4-18, inclusive, for the original application apply. Once a structure that is used exclusively for religious purposes or a cemetery is granted tax-exempt status pursuant to §§ 10-4-15 to 10-4-18, inclusive, it is not necessary to file the annual statement required by this section to maintain such status. However, if the use of the property changes, or if any transfers of ownership by contract for deed have been entered into, the owner shall reapply pursuant to §§ 10-4-15 to 10-4-18, inclusive.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311 as added by SL 1967, ch 316; SL 1988, ch 84; SL 1995, ch 54, § 2; SL 1996, ch 63, § 3.



10-4-19.1Time of determination of exempt status--Apportionment when property transferred to exempt entity.

Any exemption from ad valorem taxation in this state as provided by this chapter on account of the use or ownership of real property on the part of any governmental or private entity shall be determined with respect to the ownership and use of such property on the legal assessment day regardless of after acquired or disposed of property, except as provided in § 10-4-19.2. However, any person, firm, or corporation, owning or controlling any property transferred to any entity exempt from taxation as provided in this chapter shall be liable for the payment of all taxes based on an assessment during the year of transfer, proportionate to the length of time such nonexempt person, firm, or corporation owned such property, and until the date on which such tax-exempt entity is legally entitled to and has acquired actual possession of such property and is making use of the same for the purposes of the tax-exempt entity. Such transferred property may not be taxed for any month in the taxable year in which such property is in the legal possession of any such tax-exempt entity for more than sixteen days.

Source: SL 1970, ch 68; SL 1985, ch 69, § 1; SL 1992, ch 80, § 15.



10-4-19.2Apportionment when property transferred from exempt entity to nonexempt entity.

Any real property which is owned or controlled by a tax-exempt entity and which is transferred to a nonexempt person, firm, or corporation after the legal assessment date is liable for taxation for that portion of the taxable year in which it is not owned or controlled by a tax-exempt entity. The nonexempt person, firm, or corporation is liable for the payment of all taxes based on an assessment during the year of transfer, proportionate to the length of time such nonexempt person, firm, or corporation owns such property. Such transferred property may not be taxed for any month in the taxable year in which such property is in the legal possession of any such tax-exempt entity for more than sixteen days. Such property shall be valued for tax purposes as of the legal assessment day.

Source: SL 1985, ch 69, § 2.



10-4-20Permanent record and annual report of tax-exempt property.

The county director of equalization shall maintain a separate permanent record of the tax-exempt property in his county and a report of such tax-exempt property shall be made to the secretary of revenue. The secretary of revenue shall prescribe the forms and the method of making reports.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311 as added by SL 1967, ch 316; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 82; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 11-1), § 161, eff. Apr. 12, 2011.



10-4-21Periodic review of tax-exempt property--Board action to change status--Review requested by secretary of revenue.

The director of equalization shall, during each five-year period of time, review the status of all tax-exempt property and file a report of such review with the county board of equalization. Any action by the county board of equalization to change the status of tax-exempt property shall be the same as though it were an original application. The secretary of revenue may request a review of the tax-exempt status of property at any time and such request shall be made to the county board of equalization and the procedure shall then be the same as though it were an original application.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311 as added by SL 1967, ch 316; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 82; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 11-1), § 161, eff. Apr. 12, 2011.



10-4-22Effective date of change in tax-exempt status.

Any review or recommendation for a change in the tax-exempt status shall not become effective until the final determination, including appeal, has been made and the effective date shall then be January first, following such final date.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311 as added by SL 1967, ch 316.



10-4-23Tax-exempt and railroad property taxed to long-term lessee or contract purchaser.

Property held under a lease for a term of three or more years, or a contract for the purchase thereof, belonging to the state or to any religious, scientific, or benevolent society or institution, whether incorporated or unincorporated, or to any railroad company or corporation whose property is not taxed in the same manner as other property, shall be considered for all purposes of taxation as the property of the person so holding the same.

Source: SL 1897, ch 28, § 24; RPolC 1903, § 2084; RC 1919, § 6699; SDC 1939, § 57.0314.



10-4-23.1
     10-4-23.1.   Repealed by SL 2015, ch 63, § 1.



10-4-24Homestead exempt from state taxes--Description of homestead included in assessment statement--Apportionment of value.

The homestead as defined by law, except a homestead consisting of a mobile home, when owned and occupied by the owner and his family as a home at the time of assessment shall be exempt from any tax imposed by the Legislature to defray the expenses of the state, or to pay any deficiency thereof. Each person liable to assessment and taxation shall separately list his or her homestead, giving the exact description thereof at the time of the assessment and shall give to the director of equalization at the time of assessment a sworn statement in writing on a form prescribed by the secretary of revenue and provided by the county auditor setting forth the legal description of the premises claimed as the homestead, and in case such homestead is situated within a shop, store, or other building used for business purposes shall specifically set forth the exact description of the portion of such store, shop, or other building being used by the owner thereof as a dwelling, and the director of equalization shall divide the valuation so that the portion claimed as a homestead shall be listed and valued separately from the business portion of said premises and the county auditor of the county where such homestead is situated shall exclude such homestead from his total assessment in determining the amount of the state tax. Nothing herein shall be construed to exempt such homestead from any tax legally imposed for county, township, municipality, or school purposes.

Source: SDC 1939, § 57.0311 (7); SL 1939, ch 262; SL 1972, ch 233, § 1; SL 1989, ch 82, § 41; SL 1992, ch 60, § 2; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 82; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 11-1), § 161, eff. Apr. 12, 2011.



10-4-24.1
     10-4-24.1 to 10-4-24.8.   Repealed by SL 1974, ch 89, § 15.



10-4-24.9Paraplegic dwellings specially classified for tax purposes--Lands included.

All dwellings or parts of multiple family dwellings which are specifically designed for use by paraplegics as wheelchair homes are hereby specifically classified for the purposes of taxation. For purposes of this section and § 10-4-24.10, the term, dwellings, shall include real estate in an amount not to exceed one acre upon which the building is situated or so much of the surrounding real estate as is necessarily incident to the use of the premises as a dwelling.

Source: SL 1972, ch 55; SL 1976, ch 88.



10-4-24.10Exemption for dwelling of paraplegic or amputee veteran or surviving spouse.

A dwelling or part of a dwelling designed as provided in § 10-4-24.9 that is owned and occupied for the full calendar year in which a tax is to be levied by a paraplegic veteran, a veteran with the loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, or the unremarried widow or widower of the veteran is exempt from taxation. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the director of equalization determines that a veteran or the veteran's unremarried widow or widower is entitled to the exemption provided in this section, the veteran or the veteran's unremarried widow or widower retains that exemption until the property ownership is transferred, the veteran or the veteran's unremarried widow or widower ceases to occupy the dwelling, or the property has a change in use. If the legal description of the property is changed, the exemption remains in place as long as the veteran or the veteran's unremarried widow or widower continues to reside in the dwelling.

Source: SL 1972, ch 55; SL 2019, ch 58, § 1.



10-4-24.11Reduction of tax on dwelling owned by paraplegic.

To the extent that a dwelling or part thereof is owned and occupied by a paraplegic or an individual with the loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, the individual's tax liability shall be reduced as provided in §§ 10-4-24.12 and 10-4-24.13 on that portion of the dwelling, provided the dwelling was owned and occupied for the full calendar year prior to the year in which the taxes are due and receivable. The term, household income, as used in §§ 10-4-24.12 and 10-4-24.13 is the same as defined in subdivision 10-18A-1(5).

Source: SL 1979, ch 62, §§ 1, 2.



10-4-24.12. Percentage of paraplegic's tax reduction for single-member household.

The percentage tax reduction of real property taxes, as provided pursuant to § 10-4-24.11, due or paid on a single-family dwelling for a single-member household is according to the following schedule:

If household income

but

The tax due reduction

is at least:

less than

on current levy is:

$ 0

$14,000

100%

14,000

15,000

75%

15,000

17,000

50%

17,000

18,000

25%

18,000

0%

Source: SL 1979, ch 62, § 3; SL 2015, ch 64, § 1; SL 2022, ch 25, § 2; SL 2023, ch 29, § 12.



10-4-24.13. Percentage of paraplegic's tax reduction for multiple-member household.

The percentage tax reduction of real property taxes, as provided pursuant to § 10-4-24.11, due or paid on a single-family dwelling for a multiple-member household is according to the following schedule:

If household income is at least

but

less than

The tax due reduction on current levy is:

$ 0

$ 18,500

100%

18,500

19,500

75%

19,500

21,000

50%

21,000

22,000

25%

22,000

0%

Source: SL 1979, ch 62, § 4; SL 2015, ch 64, § 2; SL 2022, ch 25, § 1; SL 2023, ch 29, § 13.



10-4-24.14. Reduction of tax on dwelling owned by paraplegic--Application.

The application for the reduction of tax on a dwelling owned and occupied by a paraplegic or an individual with the loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, as provided in §§ 10-4-24.11 to 10-4-24.13, inclusive, must be annually submitted on or before April first on forms prescribed by the secretary of revenue. The form must be made available to the county treasurer who shall, upon request of an applicant, assist the applicant in completing the form. The property owner shall sign the application under penalty of perjury. The application must include the documentary evidence the county treasurer deems necessary to assure validity of the claim.

Source: SL 2022, ch 26, § 1.



10-4-24.15. Paraplegic tax reduction--Annual increase--Index factor.

Beginning on January 1, 2024, each household income value listed in the schedules in §§ 10-4-24.12 and 10-4-24.13 shall increase annually by the index factor. The index factor is the annual percentage change in the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers as computed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the year before the year immediately preceding the year of adjustment or the annual percentage change in federal social security payments for the preceding year, whichever is greater.

Source: SL 2023, ch 29, § 14.



10-4-25Cemetery lot exempt.

One lot in a cemetery for family use shall be exempt from taxation.

Source: SL 1897, ch 28, § 5; RPolC 1903, § 2056; RC 1919, § 6670; SL 1919, ch 106; SDC 1939, § 57.0311 (4).



10-4-26Exemption from property tax penalties of persons serving in armed forces during hostilities.

All persons serving in the armed forces of the United States as that term is defined by S.D. Const., Art. XIII, § 19, during the time when a state of war exists between this and any other nation, or during the period between August 5, 1964, and the date when the Governor by proclamation shall have declared existing hostilities to have ceased, are hereby exempt from the payment of interest and penalty on all real property and manufactured home taxes assessed against such person from the date of his or her entry into the service and for a period of six months after discharge from such service. No exemption may be allowed of any interest or penalty on taxes accumulated or accruing on real estate or manufactured homes transferred of record by such person or persons during the period of their service.

Source: SL 1945, ch 180, § 1; SL 1953, ch 461; SDC Supp 1960, § 57.1004-1; SL 1992, ch 80, § 16.



10-4-27
     10-4-27.   Repealed by SL 1978, ch 72, § 30.



10-4-28
     10-4-28.   Repealed by SL 1992, ch 80, § 17.



10-4-29Repealed by SL 2012, ch 60, § 1.



10-4-30Single-family dwellings of disabled or senior citizens classified.

Single-family dwellings owned by heads of households sixty-five years of age or disabled are hereby classified for purposes of taxation.

Source: SL 1980, ch 74, § 12.



10-4-31
     10-4-31, 10-4-32.   Repealed by SL 1997, ch 57, §§ 4, 5.



10-4-33Repealed.

Source: SL 1990, ch 192, § 6; SL 2021, ch 43, § 7.



10-4-34Repealed.

Source: SL 1993, ch 104, § 3; SL 2021, ch 43, § 8.



10-4-35Wellness center defined--Taxable percentage.

For the purposes of § 10-4-9.3, a "wellness center" is a health care facility if it links on- and off-site medical consultants with physical activity staff and programs of health and fitness facilities, can and does provide fitness testing and prescription exercise tailored to specific individual needs and capabilities, and the property is used for rehabilitation services or prescriptive exercise. For the purposes of § 10-4-12, the taxable percentage of a wellness center shall be determined by computing the percentage of the total membership that do not use the facility for physician prescribed rehabilitation or prescriptive exercise.

Source: SL 1994, ch 75, § 2.



10-4-36
     10-4-36 to 10-4-38.   Repealed by SL 2010, ch 47, §§ 5 to 7.



10-4-39Exemption of facility operated as a multi-tenant business incubator.

Any facility operated as a multi-tenant business incubator and owned by an entity recognized as an exempt nonprofit corporation pursuant to section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as defined by § 10-1-47, is exempt from property taxation. A business incubator is any facility that supports the development and operation of a number of small start-up businesses. Tenants of the facility may share a number of support services and the tenants may receive technical assistance, business planning, legal, financial, and marketing advice. If any portion of the facility is occupied by an incubated business for more than five years, that portion of the facility shall be taxed as other property of the same class is taxed.

Source: SL 2006, ch 37, § 1; SL 2009, ch 39, § 5; SL 2010, ch 45, § 5; SL 2011, ch 48, § 5; SL 2012, ch 59, § 5; SL 2013, ch 42, § 5; SL 2014, ch 54, § 5; SL 2015, ch 62, § 5; SL 2016, ch 54, § 6.



10-4-40. Partial exemption--Owner-occupied dwellings of certain disabled veterans.

Two hundred thousand dollars of the full and true value of the total amount of a dwelling or portion thereof classified as owner-occupied pursuant to §§ 10-13-39 to 10-13-40.4, inclusive, that is owned and occupied by a veteran who is rated as permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability is exempt from property taxation. The veteran shall apply for this partial exemption on a form prescribed by the secretary of revenue. Any application or supporting document for this exemption is confidential. Any veteran who would otherwise qualify for this exemption but fails to comply with the application deadline for the owner-occupied classification or the deadline for application for this exemption may petition the board of county commissioners to recalculate the taxes based upon the owner-occupied classification and this exemption and abate or refund the difference in taxes pursuant to chapter 10-18.

If the director of equalization determines that the veteran receives an exemption for the veteran's dwelling pursuant to this section, the veteran retains that exemption until the property ownership is transferred, the veteran does not occupy the dwelling, or the property has a change in use. If the legal description of property is changed or amended and the veteran continues to reside in the dwelling, the veteran retains the exemption provided by this section.

Source: SL 2007, ch 45, § 1; SL 2008, ch 39, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2007; SL 2008, ch 40, § 1; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 11-1), § 161, eff. Apr. 12, 2011; SL 2019, ch 59, § 1; SL 2024, ch 34, § 1.



10-4-41. Partial exemption--Owner-occupied dwellings of surviving spouses of certain veterans.

Two hundred thousand dollars of the full and true value of the total amount of a dwelling, or portion thereof, classified as owner-occupied pursuant to §§ 10-13-39 to 10-13-40.4, inclusive, is exempt from property taxation if owned and occupied by:

(1)    The surviving spouse of a veteran who was rated as permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability; or

(2)    The surviving spouse of a veteran, who receives dependency and indemnity compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a result of the veteran's service-connected death.

The surviving spouse shall apply for this partial exemption on a form prescribed by the secretary of revenue. Any application or supporting document for this exemption is confidential. Any surviving spouse who would otherwise qualify for this exemption but fails to comply with the application deadline for the owner-occupied classification or the deadline for application for this exemption may petition the board of county commissioners to recalculate the taxes based upon the owner-occupied classification and this exemption and abate or refund the difference in taxes pursuant to chapter 10-18.

If the director of equalization determines that the surviving spouse receives an exemption for the dwelling pursuant to this section, the surviving spouse retains that exemption until the property ownership is transferred, the surviving spouse does not occupy the dwelling, the surviving spouse remarries, or the property has a change in use. If the legal description of property is changed or amended and the surviving spouse continues to reside in the dwelling, the surviving spouse retains the exemption provided by this section.

Source: SL 2010, ch 46, § 1; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 11-1), § 161, eff. Apr. 12, 2011; SL 2019, ch 59, § 2; SL 2022, ch 27, § 1; SL 2024, ch 34, § 2.



10-4-42Renewable resource defined.

For purposes of §§ 10-4-42 to 10-4-45, inclusive, a renewable resource is a resource that generates electricity or energy from facilities using one or more of the following sources:

(1)    Wind that uses wind as the source of energy to produce electricity;

(2)    Solar that uses the sun as the source of energy to produce electricity or energy;

(3)    Hydroelectric that uses water as the source of energy to produce electricity;

(4)    Hydrogen that is generated from one of the sources listed in this section;

(5)    Biomass that uses agricultural crops and agricultural wastes and residues, wood and wood wastes and residues, animal and other degradable organic wastes, municipal solid waste, or landfill gas as the fuel to produce electricity; or

(6)    Geothermal that uses energy contained in heat that continuously flows outward from the earth as the source of energy to produce electricity or energy.

Source: SL 2010, ch 47, § 1.



10-4-43Renewable energy facility defined.

For purposes of §§ 10-4-42 to 10-4-45, inclusive, a renewable energy facility is a facility that uses a renewable resource as its energy source for the purpose of producing electricity or energy.

Source: SL 2010, ch 47, § 2.



10-4-44Renewable energy facilities with less than five megawatts of nameplate capacity classified--Property taxable--Exemption.

For renewable energy facilities with less than five megawatts of nameplate capacity, all real property used or constructed for the purpose of producing electricity using a renewable resource as an energy source is classified for tax purposes as renewable energy property and shall be assessed and taxed in the same manner as other real property and shall be locally assessed by the county director of equalization pursuant to § 10-3-16. For the purposes of §§ 10-4-42 to 10-4-45, inclusive, the first fifty thousand dollars of the assessed value of the renewable energy property or seventy percent of the assessed value of the renewable energy property, whichever is greater, is exempt from the real property tax. However, for geothermal renewable energy facilities that produce energy, but not electricity, this exemption is limited to the first four continuous years for residential geothermal renewable energy facilities and the first three continuous years for commercial geothermal renewable energy facilities.

Source: SL 2010, ch 47, § 3.



10-4-45Renewable energy property not subject to discretionary formulas.

Renewable energy property is not subject to any discretionary formulas authorized by this title.

Source: SL 2010, ch 47, § 4.



10-4-46Labor union property used exclusively for educational purpose exempt.

All property or any portion thereof owned by a labor union and used exclusively for an educational purpose is exempt from taxation. To receive the exemption, a labor union shall be recognized as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(5) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as amended and in effect on January 1, 2013. For purposes of this section, educational purpose, means apprenticeship or training programs that have been accredited or approved by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training within the United States Department of Labor. However, if any such property consists of improved or unimproved property located within a municipality not occupied or directly used in carrying out the primary objective of the labor union owning the same, the property shall be taxed the same as other property of the same class is taxed. However, if any such property consists of agricultural land, the property shall be taxed the same as other property of the same class is taxed.

Source: SL 2013, ch 43, § 1.



10-4-47. Rejected by referendum.

Source: SL 2024, ch 189, § 1, rejected Nov. 5, 2024.