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1. What is homestead?

The homestead classification applies to properties occupied as primary residences by their owners. 

Classification as a homestead may qualify the property for: 

• A classification rate of 1.00% on up to $500,000 in taxable market value
• A market value exclusion, which may reduce the property’s taxable market value
• Other programs such as the disabled veterans’ market value exclusion, senior citizens’ deferral, and property tax refunds

2. What is relative homestead?

Certain relatives can qualify for homestead treatment.

• For residential and agricultural properties, qualifying relatives include:

Parents, grandparents, siblings, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews of the owner or of the spouse of the owner.

Relative homesteads do not qualify for a property tax refund. 

3. What is a fractional homestead?

You may receive a fractional homestead based on the number of owners to occupants in the home.  If there are two (2) or more owners, the homestead will be granted to the percentage of which owners actually occupy the home.  You will also receive a fractional homestead if you are married and your spouse does not occupy the property to which you are apply for homestead.

4. What qualifies me for homestead?

To qualify for homestead, you must:

• Be an owner of the property
• Occupy the property as your primary residence
• Be a Minnesota resident

In order to determine that you meet all of the above criteria, your County Assessor may ask you to verify the address on your Minnesota driver’s license, the address where you are registered to vote, your primary mailing address, or other factual information. 

5. Can I have more than one homestead?

No; you may only have one homestead in the state of Minnesota. If you change your primary residence during the year, you may apply for homestead at the new residence.

6. Can I get full homestead with a relative as a co-owner?

Yes. 

According to Minnesota Statute 273.124 (g) …..

(g) If an individual is purchasing property with the intent of claiming it as a homestead and is required by the terms of the financing agreement to have a relative shown on the deed as a co-owner, the assessor shall allow a full homestead classification. This provision only applies to first-time purchasers, whether married or single, or to a person who had previously been married and is purchasing as a single individual for the first time. The application for homestead benefits must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and must contain the data necessary for the assessor to determine if full homestead benefits are warranted.

7. When do I have to apply by?

You must own and occupy a property as well as apply by December 31 to qualify for taxes payable in the following year.

8. Do I need to do this every year?

If your property has been granted homestead classification, you do not need to reapply.

However, the County Assessor may at any time ask you to provide an additional application or other documentation to verify that you continue to meet the requirements for homestead treatment.

9. Where can I find my property ID?

You can search for your property ID by address through our online property search at this website: https://web.co.wright.mn.us/proptax/

10. Do I need to enter the "R" or hyphens in my property ID?

You do not need to enter the “R” with the property ID. It should however, include the hyphens and be in the following format: XXX-XXX-XXXXXX.

11. Do I need to include my spouse? Children?

All owners who occupy the property and their spouse are required on the application, whether the spouse lives at the requested homestead location or not.

Children are not required on the application.

12. Do I need to upload/attach anything to the homestead application?

No, there is nothing additional that needs to be attached or uploaded to the homestead application.

13. Why won't the application let me move to the next screen?

Please make sure all questions have been answered and that they are in the proper format for the field and no extra spaces have been added.

Such as:

• Date: MM/DD/YYYY
• PID: XXX-XXX-XXXXXX
• Phone number: XXX-XXX-XXXX
• Social Security Number: XXX-XX-XXXX

If all fields are formatted properly, and all questions have been answers, hit tab to exit the last field entered, and the “NEXT” button should highlight. 

If you are still having problems moving to the next screen, please contact our office.

14. Why am I getting a letter from the Minnesota Department of Revenue?

For more information on the property tax refund, please visit the Department of Revenue’s website at www.revenue.state.mn.us.