Agricultural Homestead

 

 

First of all, an agricultural homestead is agricultural land that is occupied and used as a homestead by its owner, who must be a Minnesota resident.  The Agricultural property is described as being real estate used for farming or capable of being used for farming in this state (MS 500.24, subd. 2(g)).  Agricultural land means contiguous acreage of ten acres or more, used during the preceding year for agricultural purposes.  

 

Agricultural classification for property is determined excluding the house, garage and immediately surrounding one acre of land, and shall not be based upon the market value of any residential structures on the parcel or contiguous parcels under the same ownership (MS 273.13, subd.23).

 

Agricultural property can receive homestead if it is occupied and used as a homestead by the owner, and the owner is a Minnesota resident. (MS 273.124, subd 1(a))

 

Agricultural property can receive homestead if a qualifying relative occupies the property as a homestead, the owner is a Minnesota resident, the owner doesn't claim another agricultural homestead in Minnesota, and there is only one relative agricultural homestead per family. (MS 273.124, Subd. 1(d))  A qualifying relative for agricultural property is a child, grandchild, or parent of the owner or the child or grandchild of the spouse of the owner.  Both the owner and qualifying relative must be Minnesota residents.

 

Agricultural property can receive homestead if the owner, owner's spouse; child, grandchild, or sibling of the owner or owner's spouse is actively farming the agricultural property either on their own behalf or on behalf of an authorized entity of which they are a qualified person, and the agricultural parcel is at least 40 acres, both the owner and the person actively farming are Minnesota residents, neither the owner nor the owner's spouse claims another agricultural homestead in Minnesota and neither the owner nor the person actively farming lives further than four cities or townships from the property. (MS 273.124, Subd. 14(b))

 

Agricultural property occupied by the owner and leased to an authorized entity of which the owner is a qualified person is eligible for homestead if the owner is a Minnesota resident. (MS 273.124, Subd. 1(a))

 

There are other instances where agricultural homestead can be applied.  We encourage you to discuss your situation with the Assessor's office to see if you qualify.  Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM.  Phone: (218) 643-7162.  Or stop by the Assessor's office located in the Wilkin County Courthouse, on the first floor, 300 S 5th St, Breckenridge, MN 56520.

 

All homestead applications must be returned to the Assessor's office by December 31.