Homestead Property Tax Information for Dakota County Residents

Dakota County recently sent out information residents should know about the homestead property tax. The news release is below:

All new property owners (or qualified relatives) who changed residences during the past year and use the residence for homestead purposes must apply for homestead status with their county assessor by Dec. 15.

Property owners or qualified relatives—parent, step-parent, child, step-child, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece, by blood or marriage—who want to classify property as homestead that was not classified as homestead in the past must apply with the Dakota County Assessor’s Office to receive homestead for property taxes payable in 2014.

Once the homestead classification has been granted, no further applications are necessary, unless requested by the county assessor. Only new applicants must file if they have not already done so. 

Application forms can be completed online or calling Dakota County Assessing Services at 651-438-4200. Applications can also be completed in person by visiting any of the following County locations during regular business hours:

• Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings
• Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road W., West St. Paul
• Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley

Property owners who sell their home, move or no longer qualify for the homestead classification are required to notify the county assessor within 30 days of the homestead’s change in status. Failure to do so is punishable by recalculation of tax as non-homestead, in addition to a penalty equal to 100 percent of the homestead benefits.