HF 2141

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/07/2019 02:47pm

A bill for an act
relating to taxes; property taxes; making changes to homestead determinations;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 273.124.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 273.124, is amended to read:

273.124 HOMESTEAD DETERMINATION; SPECIAL RULES.

Subdivision 1.

General rule.

(a) deleted text begin Residential real estate that is occupied and used for
the purposes of a homestead by its owner, who must be a Minnesota resident, is a residential
homestead.
deleted text end

deleted text begin Agricultural land, as defined in section 273.13, subdivision 23, that is occupied and used
as a homestead by its owner, who must be a Minnesota resident, is an agricultural homestead. deleted text end new text begin
The provisions of this subdivision apply to all homesteads under this section.
new text end

Dates for establishment of a new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead and
homestead treatment provided to particular types of property are as provided in this section.

Property held by a trustee under a trust is eligible for new text begin residential homestead or agricultural
new text end homestead classification if the requirements under this chapter are satisfied.

The assessor shall require proof, as provided in subdivision 13, of the facts upon which
classification as a new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead may be determined.
Notwithstanding any other law, the assessor may at any time require a homestead application
to be filed in order to verify that any property classified as a new text begin residential homestead or
agricultural new text end homestead continues to be eligible for new text begin residential homestead or agricultural
new text end homestead status. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Department of Revenue
may, upon request from an assessor, verify whether an individual who is requesting or
receiving new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead classification has filed a Minnesota
income tax return as a resident for the most recent taxable year for which the information
is available.

When there is a name change or a transfer of new text begin residential homestead or agricultural
new text end homestead property, the assessor may reclassify the property in the next assessment unless
a homestead application is filed to verify that the property continues to qualify for homestead
classification.

(b) For purposes of this section, new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead property
shall include property which is used for purposes of the homestead but is separated from
the homestead by a road, street, lot, waterway, or other similar intervening property. The
term "used for purposes of the homestead" shall include but not be limited to uses for
gardens, garages, or other outbuildings commonly associated with a homestead, but shall
not include vacant land held primarily for future development. In order to receive new text begin residential
homestead or agricultural new text end homestead treatment for the noncontiguous property, the owner
must use the property for the purposes of the homestead, and must apply to the assessor,
both by the deadlines given in subdivision 9. After initial qualification for the new text begin residential
homestead or agricultural new text end homestead treatment, additional applications for subsequent years
are not required.

new text begin (c) For purposes of this section, "agricultural property" means class 2a property and any
class 2b property that is contiguous to and under the same ownership as the class 2a property
as defined in section 273.13, subdivision 23, including the house, garage, and other farm
buildings and structures.
new text end

new text begin (d) If a single-family home, duplex, or triplex classified as either residential homestead
or agricultural homestead is also used to provide licensed child care, the portion of the
property used for licensed child care must be classified as a part of the homestead property.
new text end

new text begin (e) Property that would be included as part of the residential homestead or agricultural
homestead under this subdivision or under section 273.13, subdivision 23, if it were titled
in the name of the owner, is included in the residential homestead or agricultural homestead
if it is titled in the name of:
new text end

new text begin (1) the owner's spouse;
new text end

new text begin (2) a revocable trust with respect to which the owner, the owner's spouse, or both are
the grantors and primary beneficiaries during any period that the trust is revocable; or
new text end

new text begin (3) a trust described under subdivision 21 with respect to which the owner's current
spouse or predeceased spouse was a grantor during any period that the owner is the current
or primary beneficiary of the trust.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Owner-occupied homesteads. new text end

new text begin (a) Residential real estate that is occupied and
used for the purposes of a homestead by its owner, who must be a Minnesota resident, is a
residential homestead.
new text end

new text begin (b) Agricultural property that is occupied and used as a homestead by its owner, who
must be a Minnesota resident, is an agricultural homestead.
new text end

new text begin (c) In the case of property owned by a property owner who is married, the assessor must
not deny residential homestead or agricultural homestead treatment in whole or in part if
only one of the spouses occupies the property and the other spouse is absent due to:
new text end

new text begin (1) marriage dissolution proceedings;
new text end

new text begin (2) legal separation;
new text end

new text begin (3) employment or self-employment in another location; or
new text end

new text begin (4) other personal circumstances causing the spouses to live separately, not including
an intent to obtain two residential homestead classifications or two agricultural homestead
classifications for property tax purposes.
new text end

new text begin To qualify under clause (3), the spouse's place of employment or self-employment must be
at least 50 miles distant from the other spouse's place of employment, and the homesteads
must be at least 50 miles distant from each other.
new text end

new text begin (d) The assessor must not deny residential homestead or agricultural homestead treatment
in whole or in part if:
new text end

new text begin (1) in the case of a property owner who is not married, the owner is absent due to
residence in a nursing home, a boarding care facility, or an elderly assisted living facility
property as defined in section 273.13, subdivision 25a, and the property is not otherwise
occupied; or
new text end

new text begin (2) in the case of a property owner who is married, the owner or the owner's spouse or
both are absent due to residence in a nursing home, a boarding care facility, or an elderly
assisted living facility property as defined in section 273.13, subdivision 25a, and the property
is not occupied or is occupied only by the owner's spouse.
new text end

new text begin (e) If an individual is purchasing property with the intent of claiming it as a residential
homestead or agricultural homestead and is required by the terms of the financing agreement
to have a relative shown on the deed as a co-owner, the assessor shall allow a full residential
homestead or agricultural homestead classification as applicable, without regard to whether
the relative claims a separate residential homestead or agricultural homestead. This provision
applies only to first-time purchasers, whether married or single, or to a person who had
previously been married and is purchasing as a single individual for the first time. The
application for homestead benefits must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and
must contain the data necessary for the assessor to determine if full homestead benefits are
warranted.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin Relative homesteads. new text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end Residential real estate that is occupied and used
for purposes of a homestead by a relative of the owner is a new text begin residential new text end homestead but only
to the extent of the new text begin residential new text end homestead treatment that would be provided if the related
owner occupied the property. For purposes of this paragraph and new text begin subdivision 1a, new text end paragraph
deleted text begin (g) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end , "relative" means a parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild,
brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece. This relationship may be by blood or marriage.
Property that has been classified as seasonal residential recreational property at any time
during which it has been owned by the current owner or spouse of the current owner will
not be reclassified as a new text begin residential new text end homestead unless it is occupied as a homestead by the
owner; this prohibition also applies to property that, in the absence of this paragraph, would
have been classified as seasonal residential recreational property at the time when the
residence was constructed. Neither the related occupant nor the owner of the property may
claim a property tax refund under chapter 290A for a homestead occupied by a relative. In
the case of a residence located on agricultural land, only the house, garage, and immediately
surrounding one acre of land shall be classified as a new text begin residential new text end homestead under this
paragraph, except as provided in paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end .

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end Agricultural property that is occupied and used for purposes of a homestead by
a relative of the owner, is deleted text begin a deleted text end new text begin an agricultural new text end homestead, only to the extent of the new text begin agricultural
new text end homestead treatment that would be provided if the related owner occupied the property,
and only if all of the following criteria are met:

(1) the relative who is occupying the agricultural property is a grandchild, child, new text begin stepchild,
new text end sibling, deleted text begin or deleted text end parent new text begin , or stepparent new text end of the owner of the agricultural property or of the spouse
of the owner;

(2) the owner of the agricultural property must be a Minnesota resident;

(3) the owner of the agricultural property must not receive new text begin agricultural new text end homestead
treatment on any other agricultural property in Minnesota; and

(4) the owner of the agricultural property is limited to only one agricultural homestead
per family under this paragraph.

Neither the related occupant nor the owner of the property may claim a property tax
refund under chapter 290A for a homestead occupied by a relative qualifying under this
paragraph. deleted text begin For purposes of this paragraph, "agricultural property" means the house, garage,
other farm buildings and structures, and agricultural land.
deleted text end

Application must be made to the assessor by the owner of the agricultural property to
receive new text begin agricultural new text end homestead benefits under this paragraph. The assessor may require the
necessary proof that the requirements under this paragraph have been met.

deleted text begin (e) In the case of property owned by a property owner who is married, the assessor must
not deny homestead treatment in whole or in part if only one of the spouses occupies the
property and the other spouse is absent due to: (1) marriage dissolution proceedings, (2)
legal separation, (3) employment or self-employment in another location, or (4) other
personal circumstances causing the spouses to live separately, not including an intent to
obtain two homestead classifications for property tax purposes. To qualify under clause (3),
the spouse's place of employment or self-employment must be at least 50 miles distant from
the other spouse's place of employment, and the homesteads must be at least 50 miles distant
from each other.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (f) The assessor must not deny homestead treatment in whole or in part if:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) in the case of a property owner who is not married, the owner is absent due to
residence in a nursing home, boarding care facility, or an elderly assisted living facility
property as defined in section 273.13, subdivision 25a, and the property is not otherwise
occupied; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) in the case of a property owner who is married, the owner or the owner's spouse or
both are absent due to residence in a nursing home, boarding care facility, or an elderly
assisted living facility property as defined in section 273.13, subdivision 25a, and the property
is not occupied or is occupied only by the owner's spouse.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (g) If an individual is purchasing property with the intent of claiming it as a homestead
and is required by the terms of the financing agreement to have a relative shown on the deed
as a co-owner, the assessor shall allow a full homestead classification. This provision only
applies to first-time purchasers, whether married or single, or to a person who had previously
been married and is purchasing as a single individual for the first time. The application for
homestead benefits must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and must contain
the data necessary for the assessor to determine if full homestead benefits are warranted.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (h) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end If residential or agricultural real estate is occupied and used for purposes of a
homestead by a child of a deceased owner and the property is subject to jurisdiction of
probate court, the child shall receive relative new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead
classification under paragraph deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end or deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end to the same extent they would be entitled to
it if the owner was still living, until the probate is completed. For purposes of this paragraph,
"child" includes a relationship by blood or by marriage.

deleted text begin (i) If a single-family home, duplex, or triplex classified as either residential homestead
or agricultural homestead is also used to provide licensed child care, the portion of the
property used for licensed child care must be classified as a part of the homestead property.
deleted text end

Subd. 2.

Planned communities; common elements; condominiums; cooperatives.

(a)
The total value of planned community common elements, as defined in chapter 515B,
including the value added as provided in this paragraph, must have the benefit of new text begin residential
new text end homestead treatment or other special classification if the unit in the planned community
otherwise qualifies. The value of a planned community unit, as defined in chapter 515B,
must be increased by the value added by the right to use any common elements in connection
with the planned community. The common elements of the development must not be
separately taxed.

(b) Condominium property qualifying as a new text begin residential new text end homestead under section
515A.1-105 and property owned by a cooperative association that qualifies as a homestead
must have the benefit of new text begin residential new text end homestead treatment or other special classification if
the condominium or cooperative association property otherwise qualifies.

(c) If a unit in a common interest community is owned by the occupant and used for the
purposes of a homestead but is located upon land which is leased, that leased land must be
valued and assessed as if it were new text begin residential new text end homestead property within class 1 if all of the
following criteria are met:

(1) the occupant is using the unit as a permanent residence;

(2) the occupant or the cooperative association is paying the ad valorem property taxes
and any special assessments levied against the land and structure;

(3) the occupant or the cooperative association has signed a land lease; and

(4) the term of the land lease is at least 50 years, notwithstanding the fact that the amount
of the rental payment may be renegotiated at shorter intervals.

Subd. 3.

Cooperatives and charitable corporations; homestead and other
property.

(a) When property is owned by a corporation or association organized under
chapter 308A or 308B, and each person who owns a share or shares in the corporation or
association is entitled to occupy a building on the property, or a unit within a building on
the property, the corporation or association may claim new text begin residential new text end homestead treatment for
each dwelling, or for each unit in the case of a building containing several dwelling units,
or for the part of the value of the building occupied by a shareholder. Each building or unit
must be designated by legal description or number. The net tax capacity of each building
or unit that qualifies for assessment as a new text begin residential new text end homestead under this subdivision must
include not more than one-half acre of land, if platted, nor more than 80 acres if unplatted.
The net tax capacity of the property is the sum of the net tax capacities of each of the
respective buildings or units comprising the property, including the net tax capacity of each
unit's or building's proportionate share of the land and any common buildings. To qualify
for the treatment provided by this subdivision, the corporation or association must be wholly
owned by persons having a right to occupy a building or unit owned by the corporation or
association. A charitable corporation organized under the laws of Minnesota and not
otherwise exempt thereunder with no outstanding stock qualifies for new text begin residential new text end homestead
treatment with respect to member residents of the dwelling units who have purchased and
hold residential participation warrants entitling them to occupy the units.

(b) To the extent provided in paragraph (a), a cooperative or corporation organized under
chapter 308A or 308B may obtain separate assessment and valuation, and separate property
tax statements for each residential homestead, residential nonhomestead, or for each seasonal
residential recreational building or unit not used for commercial purposes. The appropriate
classification rates under section 273.13 shall be applicable as if each building or unit were
a separate tax parcel; provided, however, that the tax parcel which exists at the time the
cooperative or corporation makes application under this subdivision shall be a single parcel
for purposes of property taxes or the enforcement and collection thereof, other than as
provided in paragraph (a) or this paragraph.

(c) A member of a corporation or association may initially obtain the separate assessment
and valuation and separate property tax statements, as provided in paragraph (b), by applying
to the assessor by June 30 of the assessment year.

(d) When a building, or dwelling units within a building, no longer qualify under
paragraph (a) or (b), the current owner must notify the assessor within 30 days. Failure to
notify the assessor within 30 days shall result in the loss of benefits under paragraph (a) or
(b) for taxes payable in the year that the failure is discovered. For these purposes, "benefits
under paragraph (a) or (b)" means the difference in the net tax capacity of the building or
units which no longer qualify as computed under paragraph (a) or (b) and as computed
under the otherwise applicable law, times the local tax rate applicable to the building for
that taxes payable year. Upon discovery of a failure to notify, the assessor shall inform the
auditor of the difference in net tax capacity for the building or buildings in which units no
longer qualify, and the auditor shall calculate the benefits under paragraph (a) or (b). Such
amount, plus a penalty equal to 100 percent of that amount, shall then be demanded of the
building's owner. The property owner may appeal the county's determination by serving
copies of a petition for review with county officials as provided in section 278.01 and filing
a proof of service as provided in section 278.01 with the Minnesota Tax Court within 60
days of the date of the notice from the county. The appeal shall be governed by the Tax
Court procedures provided in chapter 271, for cases relating to the tax laws as defined in
section 271.01, subdivision 5; disregarding sections 273.125, subdivision 5, and 278.03,
but including section 278.05, subdivision 2. If the amount of the benefits under paragraph
(a) or (b) and penalty are not paid within 60 days, and if no appeal has been filed, the county
auditor shall certify the amount of the benefit and penalty to the succeeding year's tax list
to be collected as part of the property taxes on the affected property.

Subd. 3a.

Manufactured home park cooperative.

(a) When a manufactured home park
is owned by a corporation or association organized under chapter 308A or 308B, and each
person who owns a share or shares in the corporation or association is entitled to occupy a
lot within the park, the corporation or association may claim new text begin residential new text end homestead treatment
for the park. Each lot must be designated by legal description or number, and each lot is
limited to not more than one-half acre of land.

(b) The manufactured home park shall be entitled to new text begin residential new text end homestead treatment if
all of the following criteria are met:

(1) the occupant or the cooperative corporation or association is paying the ad valorem
property taxes and any special assessments levied against the land and structure either
directly, or indirectly through dues to the corporation or association; and

(2) the corporation or association organized under chapter 308A or 308B is wholly
owned by persons having a right to occupy a lot owned by the corporation or association.

(c) A charitable corporation, organized under the laws of Minnesota with no outstanding
stock, and granted a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status,
qualifies for new text begin residential new text end homestead treatment with respect to a manufactured home park if
its members hold residential participation warrants entitling them to occupy a lot in the
manufactured home park.

(d) " new text begin Residential new text end homestead treatment" under this subdivision means the classification
rate provided for class 4c property classified under section 273.13, subdivision 25, paragraph
(d), clause (5), item (ii). The homestead market value exclusion under section 273.13,
subdivision 35, does not apply and the property taxes assessed against the park shall not be
included in the determination of taxes payable for rent paid under section 290A.03.

Subd. 4.

Nonprofit corporations.

When a building containing several dwelling units
is owned by an entity organized under chapter 317A and operating as a nonprofit corporation
which enters into membership agreements with persons under which they are entitled to
life occupancy in a unit in the building, new text begin residential new text end homestead classification must be given
to each unit so occupied and the entire building must be assessed in the manner provided
in subdivision 3 for cooperatives and charitable corporations.

Subd. 5.

Continuing care facilities.

When a building containing several dwelling units
is owned by an entity which is regulated under the provisions of chapter 80D and operating
as a continuing care facility enters into residency agreements with persons who occupy a
unit in the building and the residency agreement entitles the resident to occupancy in the
building after personal assets are exhausted and regardless of ability to pay the monthly
maintenance fee, new text begin residential new text end homestead classification shall be given to each unit so occupied
and the entire building shall be assessed in the manner provided in subdivision 3 for
cooperatives and charitable corporations.

Subd. 6.

Leasehold cooperatives.

When one or more dwellings or one or more buildings
which each contain several dwelling units is owned by a nonprofit corporation subject to
the provisions of chapter 317A and qualifying under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or a limited partnership which corporation or partnership operates
the property in conjunction with a cooperative association, and has received public financing,
new text begin residential new text end homestead treatment may be claimed by the cooperative association on behalf
of the members of the cooperative for each dwelling unit occupied by a member of the
cooperative. The cooperative association must provide the assessor with the Social Security
numbers of those members. To qualify for the treatment provided by this subdivision, the
following conditions must be met:

(a) the cooperative association must be organized under chapter 308A or 308B and all
voting members of the board of directors must be resident tenants of the cooperative and
must be elected by the resident tenants of the cooperative;

(b) the cooperative association must have a lease for occupancy of the property for a
term of at least 20 years, which permits the cooperative association, while not in default on
the lease, to participate materially in the management of the property, including material
participation in establishing budgets, setting rent levels, and hiring and supervising a
management agent;

(c) to the extent permitted under state or federal law, the cooperative association must
have a right under a written agreement with the owner to purchase the property if the owner
proposes to sell it; if the cooperative association does not purchase the property it is offered
for sale, the owner may not subsequently sell the property to another purchaser at a price
lower than the price at which it was offered for sale to the cooperative association unless
the cooperative association approves the sale;

(d) a minimum of 40 percent of the cooperative association's members must have incomes
at or less than 60 percent of area median gross income as determined by the United States
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under section 142(d)(2)(B) of the Internal
Revenue Code. For purposes of this clause, "member income" means the income of a member
existing at the time the member acquires cooperative membership;

(e) if a limited partnership owns the property, it must include as the managing general
partner a nonprofit organization operating under the provisions of chapter 317A and
qualifying under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and the limited
partnership agreement must provide that the managing general partner have sufficient powers
so that it materially participates in the management and control of the limited partnership;

(f) prior to becoming a member of a leasehold cooperative described in this subdivision,
a person must have received notice that (1) describes leasehold cooperative property in plain
language, including but not limited to the effects of classification under this subdivision on
rents, property taxes and tax credits or refunds, and operating expenses, and (2) states that
copies of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the cooperative association, the lease
between the owner and the cooperative association, a sample sublease between the
cooperative association and a tenant, and, if the owner is a partnership, a copy of the limited
partnership agreement, can be obtained upon written request at no charge from the owner,
and the owner must send or deliver the materials within seven days after receiving any
request;

(g) if a dwelling unit of a building was occupied on the 60th day prior to the date on
which the unit became leasehold cooperative property described in this subdivision, the
notice described in paragraph (f) must have been sent by first class mail to the occupant of
the unit at least 60 days prior to the date on which the unit became leasehold cooperative
property. For purposes of the notice under this paragraph, the copies of the documents
referred to in paragraph (f) may be in proposed version, provided that any subsequent
material alteration of those documents made after the occupant has requested a copy shall
be disclosed to any occupant who has requested a copy of the document. Copies of the
articles of incorporation and certificate of limited partnership shall be filed with the secretary
of state after the expiration of the 60-day period unless the change to leasehold cooperative
status does not proceed;

(h) the county attorney of the county in which the property is located must certify to the
assessor that the property meets the requirements of this subdivision;

(i) the public financing received must be from at least one of the following sources:

(1) tax increment financing proceeds used for the acquisition or rehabilitation of the
building or interest rate write-downs relating to the acquisition of the building;

(2) government issued bonds exempt from taxes under section 103 of the Internal Revenue
Code, the proceeds of which are used for the acquisition or rehabilitation of the building;

(3) programs under section 221(d)(3), 202, or 236, of Title II of the National Housing
Act;

(4) rental housing program funds under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of
1937, as amended, or the market rate family graduated payment mortgage program funds
administered by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency that are used for the acquisition
or rehabilitation of the building;

(5) low-income housing credit under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code;

(6) public financing provided by a local government used for the acquisition or
rehabilitation of the building, including grants or loans from (i) federal community
development block grants; (ii) HOME block grants; or (iii) residential rental bonds issued
under chapter 474A; or

(7) other rental housing program funds provided by the Minnesota Housing Finance
Agency for the acquisition or rehabilitation of the building;

(j) at the time of the initial request for new text begin residential new text end homestead classification or of any
transfer of ownership of the property, the governing body of the municipality in which the
property is located must hold a public hearing and make the following findings:

(1) that the granting of the new text begin residential new text end homestead treatment of the apartment's units will
facilitate safe, clean, affordable housing for the cooperative members that would otherwise
not be available absent the homestead designation;

(2) that the owner has presented information satisfactory to the governing body showing
that the savings garnered from the new text begin residential new text end homestead designation of the units will be
used to reduce tenant's rents or provide a level of furnishing or maintenance not possible
absent the designation; and

(3) that the requirements of paragraphs (b), (d), and (i) have been met.

new text begin Residential new text end homestead treatment must be afforded to units occupied by members of the
cooperative association and the units must be assessed as provided in subdivision 3, provided
that any unit not so occupied shall be classified and assessed pursuant to the appropriate
class. No more than three acres of land may, for assessment purposes, be included with each
dwelling unit that qualifies for new text begin residential new text end homestead treatment under this subdivision.

When dwelling units no longer qualify under this subdivision, the current owner must
notify the assessor within 60 days. Failure to notify the assessor within 60 days shall result
in the loss of benefits under this subdivision for taxes payable in the year that the failure is
discovered. For these purposes, "benefits under this subdivision" means the difference in
the net tax capacity of the units which no longer qualify as computed under this subdivision
and as computed under the otherwise applicable law, times the local tax rate applicable to
the building for that taxes payable year. Upon discovery of a failure to notify, the assessor
shall inform the auditor of the difference in net tax capacity for the building or buildings in
which units no longer qualify, and the auditor shall calculate the benefits under this
subdivision. Such amount, plus a penalty equal to 100 percent of that amount, shall then be
demanded of the building's owner. The property owner may appeal the county's determination
by serving copies of a petition for review with county officials as provided in section 278.01
and filing a proof of service as provided in section 278.01 with the Minnesota Tax Court
within 60 days of the date of the notice from the county. The appeal shall be governed by
the Tax Court procedures provided in chapter 271, for cases relating to the tax laws as
defined in section 271.01, subdivision 5; disregarding sections 273.125, subdivision 5, and
278.03, but including section 278.05, subdivision 2. If the amount of the benefits under this
subdivision and penalty are not paid within 60 days, and if no appeal has been filed, the
county auditor shall certify the amount of the benefit and penalty to the succeeding year's
tax list to be collected as part of the property taxes on the affected buildings.

Subd. 6a.

Preliminary approval of leasehold cooperatives.

Preliminary approval for
new text begin residential homestead new text end classification as a leasehold cooperative may be granted to property
when a developer proposes to construct one or more residential dwellings or buildings using
funds provided by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency if all of the following conditions
are met:

(a) The developer must present an affidavit to the county attorney and to the governing
body of the municipality that includes a statement of the developer's intention to comply
with all requirements in subdivision 6 and a detailed description of the plan for doing so.

(b) The commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency must provide the
county attorney and governing body with a description of the financing and related terms
the commissioner proposes to provide with respect to the project, together with an objective
assessment of the likelihood that the project will comply with the requirements of subdivision
6.

(c) The county attorney must review the materials provided under paragraphs (a) and
(b), and may require the developer or the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to provide
additional information. If the county attorney determines that it is reasonably likely that the
project will meet the requirements of this subdivision, the county attorney shall provide
preliminary approval to treatment of the property as a leasehold cooperative.

(d) The governing body shall conduct a public hearing as provided in subdivision 6,
paragraph (j), and make its preliminary findings based on the information provided by the
developer and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

Upon completion of the project and creation of the leasehold cooperative, actual
compliance with the requirements of this subdivision must be demonstrated, and certified
by the county attorney. A second hearing by the governing body is not required.

If the county attorney finds that the new text begin residential new text end homestead treatment granted pursuant
to a preliminary approval under this subdivision must be revoked because the completed
project failed to meet the requirements of this subdivision, the benefits of the new text begin residential
homestead new text end treatment shall be recaptured. The county assessor shall determine the amount
by which the tax imposed on the property was reduced because it was treated as a leasehold
cooperative. The developer shall be charged an amount equal to the tax reduction received
or, if the county attorney determines that the failure to meet the requirements was due to
the developer's intentional disregard of the requirements, 150 percent of the tax reduction
received. The penalty must be paid to the county treasurer within 90 days after receipt of a
statement from the treasurer. The proceeds of the penalty shall be distributed to the local
taxing jurisdictions in proportion to the amounts of their levies on the property.

Subd. 7.

Leased buildings or land.

For purposes of class 1 determinations, homesteads
include:

(a) buildings and appurtenances owned and used by the occupant as a permanent residence
which are located upon land the title to which is vested in a person or entity other than the
occupant;

(b) all buildings and appurtenances located upon land owned by the occupant and used
for the purposes of a homestead together with the land upon which they are located, if all
of the following criteria are met:

(1) the occupant is using the property as a permanent residence;

(2) the occupant is paying the property taxes and any special assessments levied against
the property;

(3) the occupant has signed a lease which has an option to purchase the buildings and
appurtenances;

(4) the term of the lease is at least five years; and

(5) the occupant has made a down payment of at least $5,000 in cash if the property was
purchased by means of a contract for deed or subject to a mortgage;

(c) all buildings and appurtenances and the land upon which they are located that are
used for purposes of a homestead, if all of the following criteria are met:

(1) the land is owned by a utility, which maintains ownership of the land in order to
facilitate compliance with the terms of its hydroelectric project license from the federal
Energy Regulatory Commission;

(2) the land is leased for a term of 20 years or more;

(3) the occupant is using the property as a permanent residence; and

(4) the occupant is paying the property taxes and any special assessments levied against
the property.

Any taxpayer meeting all the requirements of this paragraph must notify the county
assessor, or the assessor who has the powers of the county assessor pursuant to section
273.063, in writing, as soon as possible after signing the lease agreement and occupying
the buildings as a homestead.

Subd. 8.

new text begin Agricultural new text end homestead owned by new text begin qualified family entity or joint family
farm venture new text end or leased to deleted text begin family farm corporation, joint farm venture, limited liability
company, or partnership deleted text end new text begin corporate farm law-compliant entity new text end .

(a) Each deleted text begin family farm
corporation; deleted text end new text begin qualified family entity and new text end each joint family farm venture deleted text begin ; and each limited
liability company or partnership which operates a family farm; deleted text end is entitled to class 1b under
section 273.13, subdivision 22, paragraph (b), or class 2a assessment for one new text begin agricultural new text end
homestead occupied by a shareholder, member, or partner thereof who is residing on the
land, and actively engaged in farming of the deleted text begin land deleted text end new text begin agricultural property new text end owned by the deleted text begin family
farm corporation, joint family farm venture, limited liability company, or partnership deleted text end new text begin
qualified family entity or joint family farm venture, in an individual capacity; on behalf of
the qualified family entity or joint family farm venture; or on behalf of a separate joint
family farm venture or other business organization that is in compliance with or exempt
from section 500.24, of which the person is also a shareholder, member, or partner new text end .
new text begin Agricultural new text end homestead treatment applies even if legal title to the property is in the name
of the deleted text begin family farm corporation, deleted text end new text begin qualified family entity or new text end joint family farm venture deleted text begin , limited
liability company, or partnership deleted text end , and not in the name of the person residing on it.

deleted text begin "Family farm corporation," "family farm," and "partnership operating a family farm"
have the meanings given in section 500.24, except that the number of allowable shareholders,
members, or partners under this subdivision shall not exceed 12. "Limited liability company"
has the meaning contained in sections 322C.0102, subdivision 12, and 500.24, subdivision
2, paragraphs (l) and (m). "Joint family farm venture" means a cooperative agreement among
two or more farm enterprises authorized to operate a family farm under section 500.24.
deleted text end

(b) In addition to property specified in paragraph (a), any other residences owned by
deleted text begin family farm corporations, deleted text end new text begin qualified family entities or new text end joint family farm ventures deleted text begin , limited
liability companies, or partnerships deleted text end described in paragraph (a) which are located on
agricultural land and occupied as homesteads by its shareholders, members, or partners who
are actively engaged in farming deleted text begin on behalf of that corporation, deleted text end new text begin the agricultural property
owned by the qualified family entity or new text end joint new text begin family new text end farm venture deleted text begin , limited liability company,
or partnership deleted text end must also be assessed as class 2a property or as class 1b property under section
273.13.

(c) Agricultural property that is owned by a member, partner, or shareholder of a deleted text begin family
farm corporation deleted text end new text begin qualified family entity new text end or joint family farm venture deleted text begin , limited liability
company operating a family farm, or by a partnership operating a family farm deleted text end and leased
to deleted text begin the family farm corporation, limited liability company, partnership, deleted text end new text begin a qualified family
entity new text end or joint new text begin family new text end farm venture, deleted text begin as defined in paragraph (a), deleted text end is eligible for classification
as class 1b or class 2a under section 273.13, if the owner is deleted text begin actually deleted text end residing on the property,
and is deleted text begin actually deleted text end new text begin actively new text end engaged in farming the land on behalf of that deleted text begin corporation, deleted text end new text begin qualified
family entity or new text end joint new text begin family new text end farm venture deleted text begin , limited liability company, or partnership deleted text end . This
paragraph applies without regard to any legal possession rights of the deleted text begin family farm corporation, deleted text end new text begin
qualified family entity or new text end joint family farm venture deleted text begin , limited liability company, or partnership deleted text end
under the lease.

(d) new text begin Each qualified family entity and joint family farm venture with one or more
homesteads classified as 1b or 2a property under paragraphs (a) and (b) is entitled to receive
the classification rate of 0.5 percent on that part of the market value of the qualified family
entity's or joint family farm venture's class 2 property equal to the first tier valuation limit
as defined in section 273.11, subdivision 23, multiplied by the number of homesteads to
which the qualified family entity or joint family farm venture is entitled under paragraphs
(a) and (b), but no more than the market value of all of the qualified family entity's or joint
venture's class 2 property.
new text end

deleted text begin Nonhomestead deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end Agricultural property that is owned by a deleted text begin family farm corporation, deleted text end new text begin
qualified family entity or new text end joint new text begin family new text end farm venture deleted text begin , limited liability company, or partnership; deleted text end
and located not farther than four townships or cities, or combination thereof, from agricultural
deleted text begin land deleted text end new text begin property new text end that is owned, and used for the purposes of a homestead by an individual who
is a shareholder, member, or partner of the deleted text begin corporation, venture, company, or partnership; deleted text end new text begin
qualified family entity or joint family farm venture, new text end is deleted text begin entitled to receive the first tier
homestead classification rate on any remaining market value in the first homestead class
tier that is in excess of the market value of the shareholder's, member's, or partner's class 2
agricultural homestead property, if the owner, or someone acting on the owner's behalf
notifies the county assessor by July 1 that the property may be eligible under this paragraph
for the current assessment year, for taxes payable in the following year. As used in this
paragraph, "agricultural property" means property classified as 2a under section 273.13,
along with any contiguous property classified as 2b under section 273.13, if the contiguous
2a and 2b properties are under the same ownership deleted text end new text begin included in an agricultural homestead
under this subdivision new text end .

new text begin (f) For purposes of this section, "qualified family entity" means a family farm corporation,
family farm limited liability company, or family farm partnership as defined in section
500.24, or a partnership exempt from section 500.24, subdivision 3; except that the number
of allowable shareholders, members, or partners under this subdivision shall not exceed 12.
new text end

new text begin (g) For purposes of this section, "joint family farm venture" means a cooperative
agreement among two or more farm enterprises authorized to operate a family farm under
section 500.24.
new text end

new text begin (h) For purposes of this section, "actively engaged in farming" means participating in
the management or operation of the farm on a regular and substantial basis.
new text end

Subd. 9.

Homestead established after assessment date.

Any property that was not
used for the purpose of a new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead on the assessment
date, but which was used for the purpose of a new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead
on December 1 of a year, constitutes class 1 or class 2a.

Any taxpayer meeting the requirements of this subdivision must notify the county
assessor, or the assessor who has the powers of the county assessor under section 273.063,
in writing, by December 15 of the year of occupancy in order to qualify under this
subdivision. The assessor must not deny full new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead
treatment to a property that is partially homesteaded on January 2 but occupied for the
purpose of a full homestead on December 1 of a year.

The county assessor and the county auditor may make the necessary changes on their
assessment and tax records to provide for proper homestead classification as provided in
this subdivision.

If new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead classification has not been requested
as of December 15, the assessor will classify the property as nonhomestead for the current
assessment year for taxes payable in the following year, provided that the owner of any
property qualifying under this subdivision, which has not been accorded the benefits of this
subdivision, may be entitled to receive new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead
classification by proper application as provided in section 375.192.

The county assessor may publish in a newspaper of general circulation within the county
a notice requesting the public to file an application for homestead as soon as practicable
after acquisition of a homestead, but no later than December 15.

The county assessor shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation within the county
no later than December 1 of each year a notice informing the public of the requirement to
file an application for homestead by December 15.

In the case of manufactured homes assessed as personal property, the homestead must
be established, and a homestead classification requested, by May 29 of the assessment year.
The assessor may include information on these deadlines for manufactured homes assessed
as personal property in the published notice or notices.

Subd. 11.

Property classified as homestead and nonhomestead; reduction.

If the
assessor has classified a property as both homestead and nonhomestead, the reductions in
tax provided under sections 273.135 and 273.1391 apply to the value of both the homestead
and the nonhomestead portions of the property.

Subd. 12.

Homestead of member of United States armed forces; Peace Corps;
VISTA.

(a) Real estate actually occupied and used for the purpose of a homestead by a
person, or by a member of that person's immediate family shall be classified as a new text begin residential
new text end homestead new text begin or agricultural homestead new text end even though the person or family is absent if (1) the
person or the person's family is absent solely because the person is on active duty with the
armed forces of the United States, or is serving as a volunteer under the VISTA or Peace
Corps program; (2) the owner intends to return as soon as discharged or relieved from
service; and (3) the owner claims it as a new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead.
A person who knowingly makes or submits to an assessor an affidavit or other statement
that is false in any material matter to obtain or aid another in obtaining a benefit under this
subdivision is guilty of a felony.

(b) In the case of a person who is absent solely because the person is on active duty with
the United States armed forces, new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead classification
must be granted as provided in this paragraph if the requirements of paragraph (a), clauses
(1) to (3), are met, even if the property has not been occupied as a homestead by the person
or a member of the person's family. To qualify for this classification, the person who acquires
the property must notify the assessor of the acquisition and of the person's absence due to
military service. When the person returns from military service and occupies the property
as a homestead, the person shall notify the assessor, who will provide for abatement of the
difference between the nonhomestead and new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead
taxes for the current and two preceding years, not to exceed the time during which the person
owned the property.

Subd. 13.

Homestead application.

(a) A person who meets the new text begin residential homestead
or agricultural new text end homestead requirements under deleted text begin subdivision 1 deleted text end new text begin this section new text end must file a homestead
application with the county assessor to initially obtain new text begin residential homestead or agricultural
new text end homestead classification.

(b) The commissioner shall prescribe the content, format, and manner of the homestead
application required to be filed under this chapter pursuant to section 270C.30. The
application must clearly inform the taxpayer that this application must be signed by all
owners who occupy the property or by the qualifying relative and returned to the county
assessor in order for the property to receive new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead
treatment.

(c) Every property owner applying for new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead
classification must furnish to the county assessor the Social Security number of each occupant
who is listed as an owner of the property on the deed of record, the name and address of
each owner who does not occupy the property, and the name and Social Security number
of each owner's spouse. The application must be signed by each owner who occupies the
property and by each owner's spouse who occupies the property, or, in the case of property
that qualifies as a new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead under subdivision deleted text begin 1 deleted text end new text begin 1b new text end ,
deleted text begin paragraph (c), deleted text end by the qualifying relative.

If a property owner occupies a homestead, the property owner's spouse may not claim
another property as a new text begin residential new text end homestead new text begin or a separate agricultural homestead new text end unless the
property owner and the property owner's spouse file with the assessor an affidavit or other
proof required by the assessor stating that the property qualifies as a homestead under
subdivision deleted text begin 1 deleted text end new text begin 1a new text end , paragraph deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end .

Owners or spouses occupying residences owned by their spouses and previously occupied
with the other spouse, either of whom fail to include the other spouse's name and Social
Security number on the homestead application or provide the affidavits or other proof
requested, will be deemed to have elected to receive only partial homestead treatment of
their residence. The remainder of the residence will be classified as nonhomestead residential.
When an owner or spouse's name and Social Security number appear on homestead
applications for two separate residences and only one application is signed, the owner or
spouse will be deemed to have elected to homestead the residence for which the application
was signed.

(d) If deleted text begin residential deleted text end real estate is occupied and used for purposes of a homestead by a relative
of the owner and qualifies for a new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead under
subdivision deleted text begin 1 deleted text end new text begin 1b new text end , paragraph deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (a) or (b) new text end , in order for the property to receive homestead
status, a homestead application must be filed with the assessor. The Social Security number
of each relative occupying the property and the name and Social Security number of the
spouse of a relative occupying the property shall be required on the homestead application
filed under this subdivision. If a different relative of the owner subsequently occupies the
property, the owner of the property must notify the assessor within 30 days of the change
in occupancy. The Social Security number of a relative occupying the property or the spouse
of a relative occupying the property is private data on individuals as defined by section
13.02, subdivision 12, but may be disclosed to the commissioner of revenue, or, for the
purposes of proceeding under the Revenue Recapture Act to recover personal property taxes
owing, to the county treasurer.

(e) The homestead application shall also notify the property owners that if the property
is granted homestead status for any assessment year, that same property shall remain
classified as homestead until the property is sold or transferred to another person, or the
owners, the spouse of the owner, or the relatives no longer use the property as their
homestead. Upon the sale or transfer of the homestead property, a certificate of value must
be timely filed with the county auditor as provided under section 272.115. Failure to notify
the assessor within 30 days that the property has been sold, transferred, or that the owner,
the spouse of the owner, or the relative is no longer occupying the property as a homestead,
shall result in the penalty provided under this subdivision and the property will lose its
current homestead status.

(f) If a homestead application has not been filed with the county by December 15, the
assessor shall classify the property as nonhomestead for the current assessment year for
taxes payable in the following year, provided that the owner may be entitled to receive the
homestead classification by proper application under section 375.192.

Subd. 13a.

Occupant list.

At the request of the commissioner, each county must give
the commissioner a list that includes the name and Social Security number of each occupant
of new text begin residential homestead and agricultural new text end homestead property who is the property owner,
property owner's spouse, qualifying relative of a property owner, or a spouse of a qualifying
relative. The commissioner shall use the information provided on the lists as appropriate
under the law, including for the detection of improper claims by owners, or relatives of
owners, under chapter 290A.

Subd. 13b.

Improper homestead.

(a) If the commissioner finds that a property owner
may be claiming a fraudulent new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead, the
commissioner shall notify the appropriate counties. Within 90 days of the notification, the
county assessor shall investigate to determine if the new text begin residential homestead or agricultural
new text end homestead classification was properly claimed. If the property owner does not qualify, the
county assessor shall notify the county auditor who will determine the amount of homestead
benefits that had been improperly allowed. For the purpose of this subdivision, "homestead
benefits" means the tax reduction resulting from the classification as a new text begin residential homestead
or agricultural new text end homestead and the homestead market value exclusion under section 273.13,
the taconite homestead credit under section 273.135, the agricultural homestead credit under
section 273.1384, and the supplemental homestead credit under section 273.1391.

The county auditor shall send a notice to the person who owned the affected property
at the time the homestead application related to the improper new text begin residential homestead or
agricultural new text end homestead was filed, demanding reimbursement of the homestead benefits plus
a penalty equal to 100 percent of the homestead benefits. The person notified may appeal
the county's determination by serving copies of a petition for review with county officials
as provided in section 278.01 and filing proof of service as provided in section 278.01 with
the Minnesota Tax Court within 60 days of the date of the notice from the county.
Procedurally, the appeal is governed by the provisions in chapter 271 which apply to the
appeal of a property tax assessment or levy, but without requiring any prepayment of the
amount in controversy. If the amount of homestead benefits and penalty is not paid within
60 days, and if no appeal has been filed, the county auditor shall certify the amount of taxes
and penalty to the county treasurer. The county treasurer will add interest to the unpaid
homestead benefits and penalty amounts at the rate provided in section 279.03 for real
property taxes becoming delinquent in the calendar year during which the amount remains
unpaid. Interest may be assessed for the period beginning 60 days after demand for payment
was made.

If the person notified is the current owner of the property, the treasurer may add the total
amount of homestead benefits, penalty, interest, and costs to the ad valorem taxes otherwise
payable on the property by including the amounts on the property tax statements under
section 276.04, subdivision 3. The amounts added under this paragraph to the ad valorem
taxes shall include interest accrued through December 31 of the year preceding the taxes
payable year for which the amounts are first added. These amounts, when added to the
property tax statement, become subject to all the laws for the enforcement of real or personal
property taxes for that year, and for any subsequent year.

If the person notified is not the current owner of the property, the treasurer may collect
the amounts due under the Revenue Recapture Act in chapter 270A, or use any of the powers
granted in sections 277.20 and 277.21 without exclusion, to enforce payment of the
homestead benefits, penalty, interest, and costs, as if those amounts were delinquent tax
obligations of the person who owned the property at the time the application related to the
improperly allowed homestead was filed. The treasurer may relieve a prior owner of personal
liability for the homestead benefits, penalty, interest, and costs, and instead extend those
amounts on the tax lists against the property as provided in this paragraph to the extent that
the current owner agrees in writing. On all demands, billings, property tax statements, and
related correspondence, the county must list and state separately the amounts of homestead
benefits, penalty, interest and costs being demanded, billed or assessed.

(b) Any amount of homestead benefits recovered by the county from the property owner
shall be distributed to the county, city or town, and school district where the property is
located in the same proportion that each taxing district's levy was to the total of the three
taxing districts' levy for the current year. Any amount recovered attributable to taconite
homestead credit shall be transmitted to the St. Louis County auditor to be deposited in the
taconite property tax relief account. Any amount recovered that is attributable to supplemental
homestead credit is to be transmitted to the commissioner of revenue for deposit in the
general fund of the state treasury. The total amount of penalty collected must be deposited
in the county general fund.

(c) If a property owner has applied for more than one new text begin residential new text end homestead new text begin or more
than one agricultural homestead new text end and the county assessors cannot determine which property
should be classified as new text begin residential new text end homestead new text begin or which property should be classified as
agricultural homestead new text end , the county assessors will refer the information to the commissioner.
The commissioner shall make the determination and notify the counties within 60 days.

Subd. 13c.

Property lists.

In addition to lists of homestead properties, the commissioner
may ask the counties to furnish lists of all properties and the record owners. The Social
Security numbers and federal identification numbers that are maintained by a county or city
assessor for property tax administration purposes, and that may appear on the lists retain
their classification as private or nonpublic data; but may be viewed, accessed, and used by
the county auditor or treasurer of the same county for the limited purpose of assisting the
commissioner in the preparation of microdata samples under section 270C.12. The
commissioner shall use the information provided on the lists as appropriate under the law,
including for the detection of improper claims by owners, or relatives of owners, under
chapter 290A.

Subd. 13d.

Homestead data.

On or before April 30 each year beginning in 2007, each
county must provide the commissioner with the following data for each parcel of homestead
property by electronic means as defined in section 289A.02, subdivision 8:

(1) the property identification number assigned to the parcel for purposes of taxes payable
in the current year;

(2) the name and Social Security number of each occupant of homestead property who
is the property owner or qualifying relative of a property owner, and the spouse of the
property owner who occupies homestead property or spouse of a qualifying relative of a
property owner who occupies homestead property;

(3) the classification of the property under section 273.13 for taxes payable in the current
year and in the prior year;

(4) an indication of whether the property was classified as a homestead for taxes payable
in the current year because of occupancy by a relative of the owner or by a spouse of a
relative;

(5) the property taxes payable as defined in section 290A.03, subdivision 13, for the
current year and the prior year;

(6) the market value of improvements to the property first assessed for tax purposes for
taxes payable in the current year;

(7) the assessor's estimated market value assigned to the property for taxes payable in
the current year and the prior year;

(8) the taxable market value assigned to the property for taxes payable in the current
year and the prior year;

(9) whether there are delinquent property taxes owing on the homestead;

(10) the unique taxing district in which the property is located; and

(11) such other information as the commissioner decides is necessary.

The commissioner shall use the information provided on the lists as appropriate under
the law, including for the detection of improper claims by owners, or relatives of owners,
under chapter 290A.

Subd. 14.

Agricultural homesteads; special provisions.

(a) Real estate of less than ten
acres that is the new text begin agricultural new text end homestead of its owner must be classified as class 2a under
section 273.13, subdivision 23, paragraph (a), if:

(1) the parcel on which the house is located is contiguous on at least two sides to (i)
agricultural deleted text begin land deleted text end new text begin property new text end , (ii) land owned or administered by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, or (iii) land administered by the Department of Natural Resources on
which in lieu taxes are paid under sections 477A.11 to 477A.14;

(2) its owner also owns a noncontiguous parcel of agricultural deleted text begin land deleted text end new text begin property new text end that is at
least 20 acres;

(3) the noncontiguous land is located not farther than four townships or cities, or a
combination of townships or cities from the homestead; and

(4) the agricultural use value of the noncontiguous land and farm buildings is equal to
at least 50 percent of the market value of the house, garage, and one acre of land.

Homesteads initially classified as class 2a under the provisions of this paragraph shall
remain classified as class 2a, irrespective of subsequent changes in the use of adjoining
properties, as long as the homestead remains under the same ownership new text begin or is transferred to
the spouse or surviving spouse of the current owner or a trust described in subdivision 1,
paragraph (e) new text end , the owner owns a noncontiguous parcel of agricultural deleted text begin land deleted text end new text begin property new text end that is
at least 20 acres, and the agricultural use value qualifies under clause (4). new text begin Agricultural
new text end homestead classification under this paragraph is limited to property that qualified under this
paragraph for the 1998 assessment.

(b)(i) Agricultural property shall be classified as the owner's homestead, to the same
extent as other agricultural homestead property, if all of the following criteria are met:

(1) the agricultural property consists of at least 40 acres including undivided government
lots and correctional 40's;

(2) the owner, the owner's spouse, or a grandchild, child, new text begin stepchild, new text end sibling, deleted text begin or deleted text end parent new text begin ,
or stepparent new text end of the owner or of the owner's spouse, is actively farming the agricultural
property, either on the person's own behalf as an individual or on behalf of a deleted text begin partnership
operating a family farm, family farm corporation, deleted text end joint family farm venture deleted text begin , or limited
liability company deleted text end new text begin or other business organization that is in compliance with or exempt from
section 500.24 new text end of which the person is a partner, shareholder, or member;

(3) both the owner of the agricultural property and the person who is actively farming
the agricultural property under clause (2), are Minnesota residents;

(4) neither the owner nor the spouse of the owner claims another agricultural homestead
in Minnesota; and

(5) neither the owner nor the person actively farming the agricultural property lives
farther than four townships or cities, or a combination of four townships or cities, from the
agricultural property, except deleted text begin that if the owner or the owner's spouse is required to live in
employer-provided housing, the owner or owner's spouse, whichever is actively farming
the agricultural property, may live more than four townships or cities, or combination of
four townships or cities from the agricultural property deleted text end new text begin if subdivision 1a would apply to the
owner if the agricultural homestead were based on the owner's occupancy of the agricultural
property new text end .

The relationship under this paragraph may be either by blood or marriage.

new text begin The owner is not required to be a partner, shareholder, or member of a partnership
operating a family farm, family farm corporation, joint family farm venture, or limited
liability company, unless the owner is also the person who is actively farming the agricultural
property.
new text end

(ii) Agricultural property held by a trustee under a trust is eligible for agricultural
homestead classification under this paragraph if the qualifications in clause (i) are met,
except that "owner" means the grantor of the trust new text begin and "owner's spouse" includes the surviving
spouse of a deceased grantor of the trust new text end .

(iii) Property containing the residence of an owner who owns qualified property under
clause (i) shall be classified as part of the owner's agricultural homestead, if that property
is also used for noncommercial storage or drying of agricultural crops.

deleted text begin (iv) As used in this paragraph, "agricultural property" means class 2a property and any
class 2b property that is contiguous to and under the same ownership as the class 2a property.
deleted text end

(c) Noncontiguous land shall be included as part of deleted text begin a deleted text end new text begin an agricultural new text end homestead under
section 273.13, subdivision 23, paragraph (a), only if the homestead is classified as class
2a and the detached land is located in the same township or city, or not farther than four
townships or cities or combination thereof from the homestead. Any taxpayer of these
noncontiguous lands must notify the county assessor that the noncontiguous land is part of
the taxpayer's new text begin agricultural new text end homestead, and, if the homestead is located in another county,
the taxpayer must also notify the assessor of the other county.

(d) Agricultural land used for purposes of a homestead and actively farmed by a person
holding a vested remainder interest in it must be classified as deleted text begin a deleted text end new text begin an agricultural new text end homestead
under section 273.13, subdivision 23, paragraph (a). If agricultural land is classified class
2a, any other dwellings on the land used for purposes of a homestead by persons holding
vested remainder interests who are actively engaged in farming the property, and up to one
acre of the land surrounding each homestead and reasonably necessary for the use of the
dwelling as a home, must also be assessed class 2a.

(e) Agricultural land and buildings that were class 2a homestead property under section
273.13, subdivision 23, paragraph (a), for the 1997 assessment shall remain classified as
agricultural homesteads for subsequent assessments if:

(1) the property owner abandoned the homestead dwelling located on the agricultural
homestead as a result of the April 1997 floods;

(2) the property is located in the county of Polk, Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, or
Wilkin;

(3) the agricultural land and buildings remain under the same ownership for the current
assessment year as existed for the 1997 assessment year new text begin or are transferred to the spouse or
surviving spouse of the current owner or a trust described in subdivision 1, paragraph (e),
new text end and continue to be used for agricultural purposes;

(4) the dwelling occupied by the owner is located in Minnesota and is within 30 miles
of one of the parcels of agricultural land that is owned by the taxpayer; and

(5) the owner notifies the county assessor that the relocation was due to the 1997 floods,
and the owner furnishes the assessor any information deemed necessary by the assessor in
verifying the change in dwelling. Further notifications to the assessor are not required if the
property continues to meet all the requirements in this paragraph and any dwellings on the
agricultural land remain uninhabited.

(f) Agricultural land and buildings that were class 2a homestead property under section
273.13, subdivision 23, paragraph (a), for the 1998 assessment shall remain classified
agricultural homesteads for subsequent assessments if:

(1) the property owner abandoned the homestead dwelling located on the agricultural
homestead as a result of damage caused by a March 29, 1998, tornado;

(2) the property is located in the county of Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, LeSueur,
Nicollet, Nobles, or Rice;

(3) the agricultural land and buildings remain under the same ownership for the current
assessment year as existed for the 1998 assessment year new text begin or are transferred to the spouse or
surviving spouse of the current owner or a trust described in subdivision 1, paragraph (e) new text end ;

(4) the dwelling occupied by the owner is located in this state and is within 50 miles of
one of the parcels of agricultural land that is owned by the taxpayer; and

(5) the owner notifies the county assessor that the relocation was due to a March 29,
1998, tornado, and the owner furnishes the assessor any information deemed necessary by
the assessor in verifying the change in homestead dwelling. For taxes payable in 1999, the
owner must notify the assessor by December 1, 1998. Further notifications to the assessor
are not required if the property continues to meet all the requirements in this paragraph and
any dwellings on the agricultural land remain uninhabited.

(g) Agricultural property of a deleted text begin family farm corporation, deleted text end new text begin qualified family entity or new text end joint
family farm venture deleted text begin , family farm limited liability company, or partnership operating a family
farm as described under subdivision 8 deleted text end shall be classified new text begin agricultural new text end homestead, to the same
extent as other agricultural homestead property, if all of the following criteria are met:

(1) the property consists of at least 40 acres including undivided government lots and
correctional 40's;

(2) a shareholder, member, or partner of that entity is actively farming the agricultural
property new text begin in an individual capacity; on behalf of the qualified family entity or joint family
farm venture that owns the agricultural property; or on behalf of a separate joint family farm
venture or other business organization that is in compliance with or exempt from section
500.24, of which the person is also a shareholder, member, or partner new text end ;

(3) that shareholder, member, or partner who is actively farming the agricultural property
is a Minnesota resident;

(4) neither that shareholder, member, or partner, nor the spouse of that shareholder,
member, or partner claims another agricultural homestead in Minnesota; and

(5) that shareholder, member, or partner does not live farther than four townships or
cities, or a combination of four townships or cities, from the agricultural property.

Homestead treatment applies under this paragraph for property leased to a deleted text begin family farm
corporation, joint farm venture, limited liability company, or partnership operating a family
farm deleted text end new text begin joint family farm venture or other business organization which is in compliance with
or exempt from section 500.24 even new text end if legal title to the property is in the name of an
individual who is a member, shareholder, or partner in the entity.

(h) To be eligible for the special agricultural homestead under this subdivision, an initial
full application must be submitted to the county assessor new text begin in each county new text end where the property
is located. Owners and the persons who are actively farming the property shall be required
to complete only a one-page abbreviated version of the application in each subsequent year
provided that none of the following items have changed since the initial application:

(1) the day-to-day operation, administration, and financial risks remain the same;

(2) the owners and the persons actively farming the property continue to live within the
four townships or city criteria and are Minnesota residents;

(3) the same operator of the agricultural property is listed with the Farm Service Agency;

(4) new text begin the person actively farming the property or the entity on whose behalf the person
actively farmed the property filed new text end a Schedule F or equivalent income tax form deleted text begin was filed deleted text end for
the most recent year;

(5) the property's acreage is unchanged; and

(6) none of the property's acres have been enrolled in a federal or state farm program
since the initial application.

The owners and any persons who are actively farming the property must include the
appropriate Social Security numbers, and sign and date the application. If any of the specified
information has changed since the full application was filed, the owner must notify the
assessor, and must complete a new application to determine if the property continues to
qualify for the special agricultural homestead. The commissioner of revenue shall prepare
a standard reapplication form for use by the assessors.

(i) Agricultural land and buildings that were class 2a homestead property under section
273.13, subdivision 23, paragraph (a), for the 2007 assessment shall remain classified
agricultural homesteads for subsequent assessments if:

(1) the property owner abandoned the homestead dwelling located on the agricultural
homestead as a result of damage caused by the August 2007 floods;

(2) the property is located in the county of Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Steele,
Wabasha, or Winona;

(3) the agricultural land and buildings remain under the same ownership for the current
assessment year as existed for the 2007 assessment year new text begin or are transferred to the spouse or
surviving spouse of the current owner or a trust described in subdivision 1, paragraph (e) new text end ;

(4) the dwelling occupied by the owner is located in this state and is within 50 miles of
one of the parcels of agricultural land that is owned by the taxpayer; and

(5) the owner notifies the county assessor that the relocation was due to the August 2007
floods, and the owner furnishes the assessor any information deemed necessary by the
assessor in verifying the change in homestead dwelling. For taxes payable in 2009, the
owner must notify the assessor by December 1, 2008. Further notifications to the assessor
are not required if the property continues to meet all the requirements in this paragraph and
any dwellings on the agricultural land remain uninhabited.

(j) Agricultural land and buildings that were class 2a homestead property under section
273.13, subdivision 23, paragraph (a), for the 2008 assessment shall remain classified as
agricultural homesteads for subsequent assessments if:

(1) the property owner abandoned the homestead dwelling located on the agricultural
homestead as a result of the March 2009 floods;

(2) the property is located in the county of Marshall;

(3) the agricultural land and buildings remain under the same ownership for the current
assessment year as existed for the 2008 assessment year new text begin or are transferred to the spouse or
surviving spouse of the current owner or a trust described in subdivision 1, paragraph (e), new text end
and continue to be used for agricultural purposes;

(4) the dwelling occupied by the owner is located in Minnesota and is within 50 miles
of one of the parcels of agricultural land that is owned by the taxpayer; and

(5) the owner notifies the county assessor that the relocation was due to the 2009 floods,
and the owner furnishes the assessor any information deemed necessary by the assessor in
verifying the change in dwelling. Further notifications to the assessor are not required if the
property continues to meet all the requirements in this paragraph and any dwellings on the
agricultural land remain uninhabited.

new text begin (k) For purposes of this subdivision, "actively farming" means participating in the
day-to-day management and operation of the farm and sharing in the financial risks, profits,
and losses of the farming operation.
new text end

Subd. 17.

Owner-occupied motel property.

For purposes of class 1a determinations,
a new text begin residential new text end homestead includes that portion of property defined as a motel under chapter
157, provided that the person residing in the motel property is using that property as a
homestead, is part owner, and is actively engaged in the operation of the motel business.
Homestead treatment applies even if legal title to the property is in the name of a corporation
or partnership and not in the name of the person residing in the motel. The homestead is
limited to that portion of the motel actually occupied by the person.

A taxpayer meeting the requirements of this subdivision must notify the county assessor,
or the assessor who has the powers of the county assessor under section 273.063, in writing,
in order to qualify under this subdivision for 1a homestead classification.

Subd. 18.

Property undergoing renovation.

Property that is not occupied as a homestead
on the assessment date will be classified as a new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead
if it meets each of the following requirements on that date:

(a) The structure is a single family or duplex residence.

(b) The property is owned by a church or an organization that is exempt from taxation
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(c) The organization is in the process of renovating the property for use as a homestead
by an individual or family whose income is no greater than 60 percent of the county or area
gross median income, adjusted for family size, and that renovation process and conveyance
for use as a homestead can reasonably be expected to be completed within 12 months after
construction begins.

The organization must apply to the assessor for classification under this subdivision
within 30 days of its acquisition of the property, and must provide the assessor with the
information necessary for the assessor to determine whether the property qualifies.

Subd. 19.

Lease-purchase program.

Qualifying buildings and appurtenances, together
with the land on which they are located, are classified as new text begin residential homesteads or
agricultural new text end homesteads, if the following qualifications are met:

(1) the property is leased for up to a five-year period by the occupant under a
lease-purchase program administered by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency or a
housing and redevelopment authority under sections 469.001 to 469.047;

(2) the occupant's income is no greater than 80 percent of the county or area median
income, adjusted for family size;

(3) the building consists of one or two dwelling units;

(4) the lease agreement provides that part of the lease payment is escrowed as a
nonrefundable down payment on the housing;

(5) the administering agency verifies the occupant's income eligibility and certifies to
the county assessor that the occupant meets the income standards; and

(6) the property owner applies to the county assessor by May 30 of each year.

For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying buildings and appurtenances" means a one-
or two-unit residential building which was unoccupied, abandoned, and boarded for at least
six months.

Subd. 20.

Additional requirements prohibited.

No political subdivision may impose
any requirements not contained in this chapter or chapter 272 to disqualify property from
being classified as a new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead if the property otherwise
meets the requirements for homestead treatment under this chapter and chapter 272.

Subd. 21.

Trust property; homestead.

Real or personal property held by a trustee under
a trust is eligible for classification as new text begin residential new text end homestead property new text begin or agricultural homestead
property, as applicable, new text end if the property satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a), (b), (c),
or (d).

(a) The grantor or surviving spouse of the grantor of the trust occupies and uses the
property as a homestead.

(b) A relative or surviving relative of the grantor who meets the requirements of
subdivision deleted text begin 1 deleted text end new text begin 1b new text end , paragraph deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end , in the case of residential real estate; or subdivision 1,
paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end , in the case of agricultural property, occupies and uses the property as a
homestead.

(c) A deleted text begin family farm corporation, joint farm venture, limited liability company, or partnership
operating a family farm deleted text end new text begin joint family farm venture or other business organization that is in
compliance with or exempt from section 500.24, new text end in which the grantor or the grantor's
surviving spouse is a shareholder, member, or partner rents the property; and, either (1) a
shareholder, member, or partner of the deleted text begin corporation, joint farm venture, limited liability
company, or partnership deleted text end new text begin joint family farm venture or other business organization that is in
compliance with or exempt from section 500.24 new text end occupies and uses the property as a
homestead; or (2) the property is at least 40 acres, including undivided government lots and
correctional 40's, and a shareholder, member, or partner of the tenant-entity is actively
farming the property on behalf of the deleted text begin corporation, joint farm venture, limited liability
company, or partnership deleted text end new text begin tenant-entity new text end .

(d) A person who has received new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead
classification for property taxes payable in 2000 on the basis of an unqualified legal right
under the terms of the trust agreement to occupy the property as that person's homestead
and who continues to use the property as a homestead; or, a person who received the
new text begin residential homestead or agricultural new text end homestead classification for taxes payable in 2005
under paragraph (c) who does not qualify under paragraph (c) for taxes payable in 2006 or
thereafter but who continues to qualify under paragraph (c) as it existed for taxes payable
in 2005.

For purposes of this deleted text begin subdivision deleted text end new text begin section new text end , "grantor" is defined as the person creating or
establishing a testamentary, inter vivos, revocable or irrevocable trust by written instrument
or through the exercise of a power of appointment.

Subd. 22.

Annual registration of certain relative homesteads.

If the owner of property
or the owner's relative who occupies property that is classified as a new text begin residential new text end homestead
under subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end , receives compensation for allowing occupancy of
any part of that property for a period that exceeds 31 consecutive days during the calendar
year, the recipient of the compensation must register the property with the city in which it
is located no later than 60 days after the initial rental period began. This requirement applies
to property located in a city that has a population over 25,000. Each city must maintain a
file of these property registrations that is open to the public, and retain the registrations for
one year after the date of filing.