Douglas County
Assessor's Office
305 8th Ave W
Alexandria MN 56308

320-762-3884
fax: 320-762-2968

Applying for the Homestead Classification

To apply for the homestead classification for your resident, you must complete every part of the application or we will have to return it to you.

To qualify for the homestead classification, you must:
            Occupy the property listed on the application as your primary residence; and
            Be one of the owners of the property listed on the application; and
            Be a Minnesota resident.

Your County Assessor will determine whether you are a Minnesota resident for purposes of qualifying for the homestead application.  The following items must reflect the address of the property you are applying for the homestead on:
            Voter registration
            Driver's license
            Vehicle registration
            Mailing address
            Minnesota Income Tax return

You cannot claim to be a resident of another state or county and any children K-12 should be attending a local school.

State law requires that the Social Security number and signatures of the owners must be on the application. (Minnesota Statute 273.124, Sub, 13)  If there is not enough space on the application for all required signatures and their Social Security numbers, use an extra sheet and include it with the application.

Social Security numbers are confidential information. (Minnesota Statute 13.02, Sub. 12) Under state law, they may be given by your county assessor to the Minnesota Department of Revenue for use in determining whether or not you have applied for the homestead classification for other properties in the state. (Minnesota Statute 273.124, Subd. 13)

Penalties
A property owner who obtains or attempts to obtain homestead classification for a property other than his or her primary place of residence or the primary place of residence of his or her relative is under state law subject to a fine of up to $3,000 and/or up to one year of imprisonment. (Minnesota Statute 609.41)  In addition, the property owner will be required to pay all tax which is due on the property based on its correct property class plus a penalty equal to the same amount. (Minnesota Statute 273.124, Subd. 13)

Renewing your homestead classification
If this property is granted the homestead classification, it will not be necessary for you to reapply for the classification.  However, at any time, the county assessor may require you to provide an additional application or such proof as they deem necessary to verify that you continue to meet the requirements of the homestead classification.

If you move... If you change your primary residence, state law requires you to notify the county assessor within 30 days.  If you fail to notify the county assessor within 30 days of the change, you will be required to pay the tax which is due on the property based on its correct property class plus a penalty equal to the same amount.