Are you a homeowner in Hennepin County, Minnesota? If yes, you may be leaving thousands of dollars on the table every year. The Hennepin County Homestead Exemption is one of the most powerful property tax relief programs available and most people don’t know they qualify.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn exactly what the homestead exemption is, who qualifies, how much you can save, important 2026 deadlines, and step-by-step instructions to apply today.
What Is the Hennepin County Homestead Exemption?
The Hennepin County Homestead Exemption officially known as the Homestead Market Value Exclusion is a state-backed program that reduces the taxable value of your primary residence before your property tax bill is calculated. In simple terms: a lower taxable value = a lower property tax bill.
When your home is classified as a “homestead,” you receive:
- A reduced taxable market value on your property
- A lower property tax classification rate
- Eligibility for the Minnesota Property Tax Refund program
- Protection from certain types of property tax liens
This program is administered by the Hennepin County Assessor’s Office and covers all cities within Hennepin County, including Minneapolis, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Minnetonka, and more.
Who Qualifies for Homestead Status in 2026?
To qualify for the Hennepin County Homestead Exemption in 2026, you must meet the following basic requirements:
You or a relative lives in the home. This can be your child, grandchild, sibling, parent, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, or your spouse’s parent.
You own the property in your name not through a business entity like an LLC or corporation.
You have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Starting in recent years, ITIN holders are now eligible a major update that expands access for more Minnesota homeowners.
You must be a Minnesota resident and occupy the home year-round.
Quick Checklist:
- Do you own and live in your home as your primary residence?
- Is the home in your personal name (not a business name)?
- Do you have an SSN or ITIN?
- Are you or a qualifying relative currently living there?
If you answered YES to all you likely qualify. Apply now!
2026 Homestead Exemption Deadlines Don’t Miss These!
Missing the deadline means losing an entire year of savings. Here are the key 2026 deadlines:
| Program | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Residential Homestead | December 31, 2026 |
| Veterans with Disability | December 31, 2026 |
| Agricultural/Special Homestead | December 31, 2026 |
| Blind or Disabled Persons (Class 1b) | October 1, 2026 |
| Green Acres / Rural Preserve | May 1, 2026 |
Important: You must own, occupy, and apply by the deadline to receive benefits on the following year’s tax bill.
Types of Homestead Programs in Hennepin County
Hennepin County offers several homestead classifications. Here’s a breakdown of each:
1. Residential Homestead
This is the standard program for regular homeowners. It provides a Homestead Market Value Exclusion, which reduces the taxable value of your home. The exclusion amount is based on your home’s market value and is calculated by Minnesota state formula.
Who qualifies: Minnesota residents who own and occupy their home year-round, or whose qualifying relative lives there.
Deadline: December 31
2. Veterans with a Disability Homestead
If you are an honorably discharged veteran with a service-connected disability, you may qualify for a significant market value exclusion on top of the standard homestead:
$150,000 Market Value Exclusion for veterans with a 70–99% service-connected disability (temporary or permanent), or 100% disability not considered permanent.
$300,000 Market Value Exclusion for veterans who are:
- 100% permanently and totally service-connected disabled
- 100% unemployable regardless of disability percentage
- Surviving spouses of permanently and totally disabled veterans
- Surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- Surviving spouses of service members who died in active honorable service
- Family caregivers of a disabled veteran
Prerequisite: Your property must first be approved for standard homestead before applying for this benefit.
Deadline: December 31
3. Blind or Permanently Disabled Persons (Class 1b)
If you are legally blind or permanently disabled and currently receiving public assistance, your home may qualify for a lower property tax rate on the first $50,000 of value.
Who qualifies:
- Persons certified as legally blind
- Persons permanently disabled and receiving public assistance
Prerequisite: Homestead classification must be approved first.
Deadline: October 1 Note this is earlier than other programs!
4. Agricultural / Special Agricultural Homestead
For farmers and agricultural landowners, there are special programs that offer lower property tax rates on qualifying land.
Who qualifies:
- You or a qualifying relative must actively farm the land
- Property owned by a trust or authorized farm entity may also qualify
Deadline: December 31
5. Green Acres and Rural Preserve Program
This is a property tax deferral program for agricultural land. It calculates taxes based on the agricultural value rather than the full market value (which may be inflated by development pressure). The difference in taxes is deferred until the property is sold or no longer qualifies.
Eligibility requirements:
- Property must be classified as 2a agricultural land devoted primarily to agricultural use
- Must be at least 10 acres (or a nursery/greenhouse)
- Must be classified as homestead OR farmed with a qualifying person’s homestead property
- Must have been owned by the applicant or family for at least 7 years
Deadline: May 1 This is the earliest deadline, so don’t miss it!
How Much Can You Save?
Savings vary depending on your home’s market value and which program you qualify for. Here’s a general idea:
The standard Homestead Market Value Exclusion formula works like this in Minnesota:
- Homes valued at $76,000 or less: Excluded value = 40% of market value
- Homes valued between $76,000 and $413,800: Exclusion gradually phases down
- Homes valued above $413,800: No exclusion (full market value is taxable)
For a home valued at $300,000, the exclusion could reduce your taxable value by tens of thousands of dollars — translating to hundreds or even over a thousand dollars in annual tax savings.
For disabled veterans qualifying for the $300,000 market value exclusion, the savings can be dramatically higher.
Additionally, homestead classification makes you eligible for the Minnesota Property Tax Refund (also called the “Circuit Breaker”), which can refund a portion of your property taxes based on income.
How to Apply for the Hennepin County Homestead Exemption in 2026
Applying is straightforward. Here are your options:
Option 1: Apply Online (Easiest & Fastest)
Visit the official Hennepin County application portal:
https://programstracking.hennepin.us/residents/create/homestead
You’ll need:
- Your property information (address or parcel number)
- Your Social Security Number or ITIN
- Proof of ownership (your name on the deed)
The online application takes about 10–15 minutes to complete.
Option 2: Apply In Person
Visit any Hennepin County Service Center. Appointments are recommended. You can schedule one at the Hennepin County website by searching “service center.”
Locations include service centers across the county, including in Minneapolis, Maple Grove, and other cities.
Option 3: Apply by Mail
- Download and complete the homestead application from the Hennepin County Assessor’s website.
- Include a copy of your deed (with the legal description).
- Mail to:
Hennepin County Assessor 300 S 6th Street, MC-213H Minneapolis, MN 55487
For Veterans with Disability — Additional Steps
After your standard homestead is approved, complete and submit the appropriate veterans form:
- Veteran with a disability — download from Hennepin County website
- Family caregiver of a veteran with a disability — download from Hennepin County website
- Surviving spouse of a veteran with a disability — download from Hennepin County website
Mail the completed application and required VA documentation to the address on the form.
For help: Contact the County Veterans Service staff at vetservices@hennepin.us or call 612-348-3300.
What Happens After You Apply?
Once your homestead application is submitted and approved:
- Your property will be reclassified as “homestead” in county records
- The new classification will be reflected on next year’s property tax statement
- You will become eligible for the Minnesota Property Tax Refund program
You do NOT need to reapply every year homestead status continues as long as you remain in the home and qualify.
When to Remove Your Homestead Status
You are legally required to notify the county assessor within 30 days if you:
- Sell the property
- Move out and it is no longer your primary residence
- No longer qualify for any reason
To remove your homestead status, complete the Notice of Move form (available on the Hennepin County website) and email it to ao.programs@hennepin.us or mail it to the address on the form.
Failure to notify can result in back taxes, penalties, and interest.
Contact Information Hennepin County Assessor’s Office
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|
| ao.programs@hennepin.us | |
| Phone | 612-348-3046 |
| Phone Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Mailing Address | 300 S 6th Street, MC-213H, Minneapolis, MN 55487 |
| Veterans Services | vetservices@hennepin.us / 612-348-3300 |
Note: Do not send confidential or private information (like SSN) by email.
Summary: Key Takeaways
- The Hennepin County Homestead Exemption reduces your home’s taxable value and lowers your property tax bill.
- You qualify if you own your home in your personal name, live there (or have a qualifying relative there), and have an SSN or ITIN.
- The 2026 deadline for most programs is December 31, 2026 but the Blind/Disabled deadline is October 1, and Green Acres is May 1.
- Disabled veterans may qualify for up to a $300,000 market value exclusion.
- Apply online at the Hennepin County website, in person at a service center, or by mail.
- You only need to apply once homestead status continues automatically.
Don’t wait — apply before the deadline and start saving on your property taxes today.
Last updated: May 2026. Information is based on official Hennepin County Assessor’s Office data. Always verify current details at hennepin.us/homestead before applying.
FAQs
Can I apply if my home is in an LLC or trust?
In general, no. Standard residential homestead requires the property to be in your personal name. However, certain agricultural property owned by authorized farm entities or trusts may qualify for special agricultural homestead.
I have an ITIN instead of a Social Security Number. Can I still apply?
Yes! As of recent updates, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) now qualify for homestead exclusion in Minnesota. This is a significant expansion of eligibility.
My parents live in my home, not me. Do I still qualify?
Yes! If a qualifying relative (including parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, or your spouse’s parents) lives in the property, you may still qualify.
What if I already applied before do I need to reapply?
No. Once approved, homestead status continues automatically as long as you remain eligible. You only need to reapply if you moved and then returned, or if your status was removed.
When will I see the savings on my tax bill?
If you apply and are approved before December 31, 2026, you’ll see the savings reflected on your 2027 property tax statement.
I’m a veteran what documentation do I need?
You’ll need your DD-214 (discharge papers) and VA documentation showing your disability rating. Contact vetservices@hennepin.us for specific requirements.
What is the Minnesota Property Tax Refund?
Once your home is classified as homestead, you may also qualify for the state’s Property Tax Refund program (Form M1PR). This refund is income-based and can return hundreds of dollars. File it with your Minnesota state income tax return.
