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Requirements
for Homestead Classification
We are often asked what needs to
be done to qualify for the homestead classification. There are two
necessary requirements: ownership and occupancy of a property as
your primary residence. It is not sufficient to spend weekends and
vacations at the property to fulfill the primary residence requirement.
If you only own one property but rent an apartment and spend more of your
time at the apartment, that is your primary residence. You are not
entitled to a homestead classification. The ownership and occupancy
requirements must be met.
We are also asked what needs to
be done to "prove" occupancy. No positive rule exists
as to what must be done to prove occupancy, but the following list of
items will be checked if the assessor has doubts that the occupancy requirement
is being met. Should there still be doubts that the property is
the primary residence after researching these items, the homestead classification
will be denied.
- Location of previous place of
residence (whether owned or rented)
- Status of previous residence
(sold, rented, still used by applicant)
- If previous residence was homestead,
are homestead benefits still claimed?
- Location and status of any other
real estate owned by the applicant
- Location of employment
- Is the employment classified
as temporary or permanent?
- Where applicant is registered
to vote
- What address is shown on applicant's
driver's license
- What address the motor vehicle
are registered to
- What address is used on the applicant's
MN Income Tax Return
- What address is shown on any
licenses the applicant has
- Location of bank accounts (especially
the location of the most active checking account)
- Location where the applicant,
applicant's spouse, or children attend school or would attend school
- Percentage of time that the applicant
is physically present at the property
- Address where the mail is delivered
- Location of any social, fraternal,
or athletic memberships
- Location of business relationships
and where business is transacted
- Location of the place of worship
at which the applicant is a member
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