Tri-County News

Homestead classification available until Dec. 15


Property owners in Stearns County who have purchased or moved into a new home within the past year and need a homestead classification have until Dec. 15, to file the application. The property tax homestead classification affects the amount of taxes that a property owner will pay in 2019, and may also affect the taxpayer’s eligibility for a property tax refund.

A homestead application should be submitted to the County Assessor by Dec. 15, if the use of the property owned or occupied as a qualifying relative has changed on or before Dec. 1. Once homestead is granted, annual applications are not necessary unless they are requested by the county assessor. Law requires notification to the county assessor within 30 days of the change in homestead status due to a sale, move, or for any reason that would no longer qualify the property for the homestead classification.

A qualifying relative for homestead purposes depends on the type of property. For agricultural property, a qualifying relative includes a child, grandchild, sibling or parent of the owner or owner’s spouse. For residential property it also includes the owner’s uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece.

To apply, use the secure electronic application found on
Stearns County’s website,
StearnsCountyMN.gov. A description of each type of homestead is available to assist in selecting the correct homestead type when completing the application. If the property is located in the City of
St. Cloud, go to the City’s homestead web page at ci.stcloud.mn.us/619/Homestead-Applications.

Contact the Stearns County Assessor’s Office at (320) 656-3680 or e-mail: property.assessment@co.stearns.mn.us with questions. Residents may also write or visit the Assessor’s Office at the Stearns County Administration Center, Room 37, 705 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303. If property is in St. Cloud, please contact the City Assessor’s Office at (320) 255-7203 or e-mail: assessor@ci.stcloud.mn.us, or write or visit them at 400 2nd Street South, St. Cloud, MN 56301.

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