(from news release)
Property owners in Stearns County who have purchased or moved into a new home within the past year and need a homestead classification have until Dec. 31 to file an application.
The property tax homestead classification affects the amount of taxes a property owner will pay in 2025 and may also affect the taxpayer’s eligibility for a property-tax refund.
A homestead application should be submitted to the Stearns County Assessor by Dec. 31 if the use of the property owned or occupied as a qualifying relative has changed during the past year. Once homestead is granted, annual applications are not necessary unless they are requested by the county assessor. The law requires notification to the county assessor within 30 days of the change in homestead status due to a sale, move or for any reason that would no longer qualify the property for the homestead classification.
A qualifying relative for both agricultural and homestead purposes includes a parent, step-parent, child, step-child, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece of the owner, by blood or marriage.
Applying for homestead classification can be done online on Stearns County’s website, services.co.stearns.mn.us/homestead. If the property is located in the City of St. Cloud, go to the City’s homestead web page at ci.stcloud.mn.us/619/Homestead-Applications.
Contact Stearns County Assessing Services at (320) 656-3680 or e-mail pa@co.stearns.mn.us with questions. If a property is in St. Cloud, contact the City Assessor’s Office at (320) 255-7203 or e-mail assessor@ci.stcloud.mn.us.
