Homestead Application
|
Homestead Tax Credit
If you are a new homeowner or qualifying relative of a homeowner, you can save on property taxes by filing for homestead classification. The deadline to file for the homestead tax credit changes each year, but it typically falls in mid-December. Please call the Assessing Division at 763-509-5350 for the current year's deadline.
|
Eligibility Requirements
You must occupy the home by Dec. 1 to be eligible for the homestead tax credit for taxes payable the following year. To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements.
- You must own the property, or be a qualifying relative of at least one of the owners. Qualifying relatives are the owner's child, daughter/son-in-law, stepchild, parent, parent-in-law, stepparent, grandchild, grandparent, grandparent-in-law, sibling, sister/brother-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.
- You or your qualifying relative must occupy the home as a primary residence; and
- You must be a Minnesota resident. If the property is the primary residence of a qualifying relative of the owner, the owner does not need to live in Minnesota.
You may be considered a Minnesota resident if all or some of the following apply:
- You are registered to vote in Minnesota;
- You have a valid Minnesota driver's license or Minnesota picture I.D. card;
- You list a property in Minnesota as your permanent mailing address;
- You are employed by a business located in Minnesota;
- Your children, if any, attend school in Minnesota; and/or
- You are not a legal resident of any other state or county.
The law requires that a "Certificate of Real Estate Value" must be filed before a homestead can be granted (Minn. Stat 272.115).
Minnesota Statute 273.124, Subd. 13 requires that Social Security numbers and signatures of all owners occupying the property be on the homestead application. If this property is the primary residence of a qualifying relative, the Social Security numbers and signatures of the qualifying relative and the owners to whom he/she is related must be on the application. If there is not space enough for all the required Social Security numbers and signatures, use an extra sheet and include it with the application.
Social Security numbers are confidential information. Under the statute noted above, they may be given by your Assessor to the Minnesota Department of Revenue only to determine whether you and the property owner to whom you are related have applied for the homestead classification for any other properties in Minnesota.
Most owners/occupants will not receive a homestead application annually. However, the assessor may, at any time, require a homestead application to be filed in order to verify that any property classified as homestead continues to be eligible for homestead status.
Only new owners/occupants must file for homestead. Once you file for homestead status, the homestead status will stay in effect as long as you own/occupy the home.
|
Apply for the Homestead Classification and Establish Your Utility Account
The owner or parties residing in the home must completely fill out the Application for Homestead. You may type directly on the form or print it and fill it out. Please return the completed and signed application along with a copy of the deed or contract for deed and a copy of the "Certificate of Real Estate Value." Please send by mail or bring in-person to the Assessing Division, City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth, MN 55447. Faxed copies cannot be accepted.
|
Penalties
Whoever, in making any statement, oral or written, which is required or authorized by law to be made as a basis for imposing, reducing or abating any tax or assessment, intentionally makes any statement as to the material matter which the maker of the statement knows is false, may be sentenced, unless otherwise provided by law, to imprisonment for one year or to payment of a fine of not more that $3,000 or both. (Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 609.41.)
A property owner who obtains, or attempts to obtain, homestead classification for a property other than his/her primary place of residence or the primary place of residence of a qualifying relative is subject to a fine of up to $3,000 and/or up to one year imprisonment (Minn. Stat. 609.41) or both. In addition, the property owner will be required to pay all tax which is due on the property based on its correct classification plus a penalty equal to the difference between the tax figured on the homestead classification and the tax on the property's correct classification (Minn. Stat. 273,124, Subd. 13).
If you move: If at any time the property is sold or you change your primary residence, state law requires that you notify the Assessor within thirty (30) days. If you fail to notify the Assessor as required, you will be required to pay the tax which is due on the property based on its correct property classification plus applicable penalties.
|
Homestead Status Changes
While it's important to notify the Assessing Division when you buy a new house so that you qualify for homestead status, Minnesota law also requires that you notify the City when your homestead status changes. That is, if you have filed for homestead and you move, sell or transfer ownership, you should notify the City by phone, e-mail or letter. See contact information below. This will keep records on the property up-to-date.
|
|
|
|
Homesteads
