7-12-4185. Payment of tax under protest -- action to recover. (1) When a tax levied and assessed under any of the provisions of part 42 and this part is considered unlawful by the party whose property is taxed or from whom the tax is demanded, the person may pay the tax or any part of the tax considered unlawful under protest to the city or county treasurer.

(2) The party paying under protest or the party's legal representative may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction against the officer to whom the tax was paid or against the city in whose behalf the tax was collected to recover the tax or any portion of the tax paid under protest. An action instituted to recover the tax paid under protest must be commenced within 60 days after the date of payment.

(3) The tax paid under protest must be held by the city or county treasurer until the determination of an action brought for the recovery of the tax.