Laserfiche WebLink
20 | Page <br />mothers. Lodges such as the VFW are exempt on portions of their building used <br />exclusively by the organization and not open to the public. These types of organizations <br />apply annually for their exemption. <br />4.Group Homes used to care for dependent individuals also are granted non-discretionary <br />exemptions through an annual application process. <br />5.Farmers are given an exemption on their buildings used for agricultural purposes and <br />on their homes. <br />EFFECT OF THE EXEMPTIONS <br />1.Exemptions reduce the tax base for all political subdivisions in which the property is <br />located. A reduced tax base means reduced tax revenues collected by political <br />subdivisions. When a jurisdiction grants an exemption, the loss of revenue is felt mainly <br />by the school district which receives the largest share of the tax dollar. <br />2.An exemption affects the county, city, water districts, state, and park districts. <br />Therefore, it is the jurisdictions responsibility to act wisely and prudently when <br />granting exemptions. Jurisdictions must look for future revenue and other benefits <br />received from those granted exemptions to see if they outweigh the tax dollars lost. <br />3.Property exempt by local discretion or charitable status may be included in optional <br />levy calculations, thereby allowing collection of revenue by raising the tax rate on <br />taxable property. (NDCC § 57-15-01.1) This results in a higher mill rate and higher taxes <br />on taxable property while no taxes are levied on exempt property.