Homestead Applications

Homestead Exclusion

Online Homestead Application

You can now safely and securely apply for homestead online.

Your application will be encrypted through bank-grade security encryption. Your social security number is considered private data and will remain confidential.

Go to the Online Homestead Application and follow the directions to complete your application.

After you have applied, you will receive an email from DocuSign when the application is successfully submitted to Assessing Services. Assessing Services will review your application and will only contact you if they have any questions.

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What is the Homestead Exclusion?

Homestead is a program to reduce property taxes for owners or relatives of owners, who also occupy their homes.

Who is eligible for the Homestead Exclusion?

You can qualify for this tax reduction if:

You own and occupy your house as your main place of residence.
You are a Minnesota resident.
Your property classification is either Residential or Agriculture.
You are a qualifying relative of the owner.
You owned and occupied the property as your primary residence no later than December 31 of the current year.
For Manufactured Homes, the date is May 29.

How to Apply

You should apply for homestead when you move into a house you own and it is your main place of residence.

Complete the entire application fully and legibly.
Mail the application to:
Property Records & Licensing
151 4 Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904
Apply in person at the Property Records & Licensing office on the first floor of the Government Center located at
Property Records & Licensing
151 4 Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904

Required Documents

If any owners or spouses do not occupy the property, you must furnish the names and addresses of those owners.
If more than two owners occupy the property, attach another application with the Owner/Occupant information completed.
If you do not provide the required information your application will be denied.

When You Move

You are required by law to notify the assessor within 30-days if you move out of your home. Fill out the Application to Remove Homestead Classification and send it to: Property Records & Licensing 151 4 Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904

Reporting Homestead Fraud

According to Minnesota Statutes section 609.41 it is illegal to falsify the information on a Homestead application. If you feel that you may know of someone who is homesteading their residence but not occupying the property please contact our office by using our secure email system to report this incident at: propertyweb@co.olmsted.mn.us

Blind Disabled Homestead

Blind Disabled Property Exemption(1b)

Application for Blind Disabled Homestead

What is it?

A special homestead classification that provides a reduced class rate for homestead property of any person who qualifies as blind or as permanently and totally disabled. Class 1b is not an exemption from property taxes; it is a reduction in taxes.

When to Apply

You need to apply for this special homestead classification by October 1.

How to Apply

Gather your information

The MN Department of Revenue offers more information regarding the Special Homestead Classification for property owners who are blind or disabled. They explain how you can qualify, when you should apply, and what information you will need to provide.

Note: If you do not provide the required information, your application will be denied.

Download and complete the application:

CR-1B Blind Disabled Application.pdf

There are two ways to apply: in person, or by mail.

Applying in person

You can apply by visiting the Property Records & Licensing office on the first floor of the Government Center located at 151 4 Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904.

Applying by mail

You can apply by mail by completing the Application form and sending it along with the necessary documentation to the following address:

Property Records & Licensing
151 4 Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904

Disabled Veterans Exclusion

This program provides a market value exclusion for property tax purposes for the homestead property of an honorably discharged veteran who has a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or higher, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

NOTE: A verification letter from the Veteran's Administration must accompany the application.

When and How to Apply

You should apply for the market value exclusion as soon as you received notification from the Veteran's Administration. Applications are due by December 31.