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Homestead
Minnesota State Law provides for a reduction to the general property tax for certain property that is occupied as a person’s primary place of residence. These properties fall under the homestead classification. A person who meets the requirements for the homestead classification must file a Homestead Application (PDF) with the county assessor to initially obtain the homestead classification.
To apply for homestead you may either apply in person at the assessors office or contact our office for the application listed below or print the application listed below and return to our office VIA U.S. Mail. While only one person has to be present, please bring the social security number of the person who can not make it. In order to apply for homestead, the owner must own and occupy the property as their primary residence or the property may be occupied by a qualifying relative of the owner.
All completed applications must be returned by mail or in person to our office by December 31st.
Homestead Information
- Owner Occupied Homestead
- Relative Homestead
- Disabled Veteran
- Mobile Home Homestead
- Special Agricultural Homestead
- Blind-Disabled Homestead: Class 1b
- First-Time Home Buyer
You will need download Adobe Acrobat Reader Software to print and complete the Homestead Application (PDF).
Spousal Homestead
Under exceptional circumstances a husband and wife may claim separate homesteads by applying for a Spousal Homestead. To qualify for a Spousal Homestead there must be a spouse who is living in a different home due to:
- Employment and the second residence must be at least 50 miles from the primary residence
- Legal separation
- Marriage dissolution proceedings are pending
- Other personal circumstances
Residential real estate that is occupied and used for the purposes of a homestead by a qualifying relative of the owner is a homestead, but only to the extent of the homestead treatment that would be provided if the related owner occupied the property.
Neither the related occupant nor the owner of the property may claim a property tax refund for a homestead occupied by a relative, unless the property is owned jointly, and one of the joint owners occupy the property as their permanent primary residence. Please print and complete the Homestead Application (PDF).
You may be eligible for a Market Value Exclusion. You first must apply for and be granted homestead on a qualifying property prior to applying for this market value exclusion.
You must be able to verify honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces as indicated by U.S. Government Form DD214 or other official military discharge papers. You must also be certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as having a service-connected disability. If you do not provide the required information, your application maybe be delayed or denied.
Making false statements on these applications is against the law. Minnesota Statutes, Section 609.41, states that anyone giving false information in order to avoid or reduce their tax obligation is subject to a fine of up to $3,000 and/or up to one year in prison.
70% up to 100%
You may be eligible for a Market Value Exclusion of up to $150,000 on homestead property if you are a veteran with a service-connected disability of 70 percent or more. You first must apply for and be granted homestead on a qualifying property prior to applying for this market value exclusion.
You will also need to verify honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces as indicated by U.S. Government Form DD214 or other official military discharge papers. You must also be certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as having a service-connected disability.
100% Total and Permanent
You may be eligible for a Market Value Exclusion of up to $300,000 on homestead property if you are a veteran with a service-connected disability of 70 percent or more. You first must apply for and be granted homestead on a qualifying property prior to applying for this market value exclusion.
You will also need to verify honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces as indicated by U.S. Government Form DD214 or other official military discharge papers. You must also be certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as having a service-connected disability.
Surviving Spouse
A spouse may also be eligible for a market value exclusion of up to $300,000 if they are the surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces who died due to a service-connected cause while serving honorably in active duty, as indicated on U.S. Government Form DD1300 or DD2064. You must be able to verify that you are a surviving spouse of a permanently and totally disabled veteran or a service member who died while serving in active duty. Once you are eligible you will continue to receive the benefit for the rest of your life or until you re-marry. You are also able to move one time and still be able to receive the benefit.
Caregiver
You may be eligible for a market value exclusion of up to:
- $150,000 if you are the primary family caregiver of a United States military veteran with a service-connected disability of 70% or more, or
- $300,000 if you are the primary family caregiver of a United States military veteran with a permanent and total (100%) service-connected disability.
You must be able to verify honorable discharge status of the veteran from the United States Armed Forces as indicated by U.S. Government Form DD214 or other official military discharge papers. You must also be able to verify that the veteran is certified by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs as having a service-connected disability.
Additional Resources
Your County’s Veterans Service Office and the Assessor’s Office should be able to assist you with properly filling out this form. Check out the Minnesota Department of Revenue website for additional information and qualifications for Market Value Exclusion for Veterans with a Disability.
Homestead applications must be completed each year. The applications are mailed to the owner(s) of mobile homes in January each year. If the application is not returned it will result in a non-homestead classification.
To transfer the title of the mobile home, the taxes must be paid in full.
Homestead classification is allowed upon farms of at least 40 acres where the owner does not live on the farm, but within four townships from the farm. The owner must actively farm the land, be a Minnesota resident, and may not be claiming another agricultural homestead in Minnesota. Persons engaged in “actively farming” must participate in making day to day farming decisions, labor, administration / management, financial risk, and profit and loss. An applicant is not required to own the residence where they live. A new provision allows a homestead classification for an owner that does not live on the farm, is living within four townships from the farm, and is renting the land to their son or daughter who is actively farming the land.
Fact Sheet for Special Agricultural Homestead (PDF)
Individual Owned
Individual Owned Initial Application (PDF)
Individual Owned Re-Application (PDF)
Trust Owned
Trust Owned Initial Application (PDF)
Trust Owned Re-Application (PDF)
Corporate / Partnership (Entity) Owned
The Agricultural Homestead Law now allows a full homestead classification for each shareholder or partner who resides on the Corporate / Partnership property.
Class 1b provides a reduced class rate for homestead property of any person who qualifies as blind or as permanently and totally disabled. Please contact the Assessor’s Office for questions regarding the Class 1b Fact Sheet (PDF).
To be considered a first-time home buyer you must be purchasing the home for the first time whether single or married or were previously married and now purchasing for the first time as a single individual. In this case, a co-owner is on the title due to financing purposes only and is not required to be an occupant of the property.