Have you purchased or moved into a property in the past year?
Contact your county assessor to file a homestead application if you or a qualifying relative occupy the property as a homestead on or before Dec. 31, 2026.
What is a qualifying relative?
For occupied agricultural or residential property, “qualifying relative” means a parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece. This relationship may be by blood or marriage.
When do I apply?
You must apply on or before Dec. 31, 2026. Once homestead is granted, annual applications are not necessary unless they are requested by the county assessor.
Contact the assessor by Dec. 31, 2026, if the use of the property you own or occupy as a qualifying relative has changed during the past year.
If you sell, move or for any reason no longer qualify for the homestead classification, you are required to notify the county assessor within 30 days of the change in homestead status.
What if I want to apply for agricultural homestead on an unoccupied property?
Special agricultural homestead allows property owners to receive homestead on unoccupied agricultural property if certain requirements are met. Contact the assessor’s office for more information.
The Rice County Assessor’s Office is located on the second floor of the Rice County Government Services Building, 320 Third St. NW, Faribault. It can be reached at 507-332-6102 or via email at RCAssessors@ricecountymn.gov.
