Bought a home in St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Joseph, Waite Park or anywhere else in Stearns or Benton County this year? Closing is not the last piece of paperwork. To have the home classified as your homestead on next year’s property taxes, you have to apply, and the deadline is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. Here is what homestead means, who qualifies and where to send the application.
What homestead classification does
In Minnesota, a home you own and live in as your main residence can be classified as a homestead. That classification can qualify the home for a lower class rate and a reduced taxable value through the Homestead Market Value Exclusion, and it can make the owner eligible for the homeowner Property Tax Refund. Homestead is not automatic when a home changes hands, so new owners need to apply.
Who qualifies
According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, to qualify you must:
- Own the property
- Live in it as your sole or primary residence
- Be a Minnesota resident
Some relatives of the owner, such as a parent, child or sibling, can also qualify a home for relative homestead. The application asks for the Social Security numbers of the owners who live in the home, and in some cases a spouse’s as well.
The deadline: Dec. 31
The Department of Revenue, Benton County and the City of St. Cloud all list the same deadline: apply by Dec. 31 to qualify for taxes payable the following year. That means a home you buy and move into in 2026 needs an application in by Dec. 31, 2026, to be classified as a homestead for taxes payable in 2027. Mobile and manufactured homes follow a separate schedule, so check with your assessor.
Where to apply
- Inside St. Cloud city limits: Apply with the St. Cloud City Assessor, not the county. Benton County’s homestead page tells St. Cloud property owners to contact the city assessor at 320-255-7203.
- Elsewhere in Stearns County: Apply with the Stearns County Assessor.
- Elsewhere in Benton County: Apply with the Benton County Assessor’s Office in Foley, which also offers an online application.
Moving or selling? Tell the assessor within 30 days
State law requires owners to notify the assessor within 30 days if they sell the home or it stops being their primary residence. Missing that notice can lead to back taxes at the correct property class plus a penalty. Claiming homestead on a home that is not your primary residence (or a qualifying relative’s) can bring a fine of up to $3,000, up to a year in jail, or both, according to Benton County and the City of St. Cloud.
Quick checklist for new owners
- Find your assessor. City of St. Cloud, Stearns County or Benton County, based on where the home sits.
- Have the details ready: the property address or parcel number, the names of all owners and the Social Security numbers the form asks for.
- Apply early. Sending the form well before Dec. 31 leaves time to fix a missing signature or detail.
- Check your next tax statement to confirm the home is listed as a homestead. Our property tax post explains how Stearns and Benton tax due dates work.
- Still shopping? First-time buyers can read our Minnesota Housing Start Up guide or our St. Joseph town spotlight.
Sources: Minnesota Department of Revenue: Homestead Classification; Benton County homestead applications and homestead requirements; City of St. Cloud homestead applications. Checked Oct. 17, 2026.
This information is general and can change. Check with your county or city assessor about your own property, or contact a licensed professional for advice on your situation.
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