Homestead Declarations

Homestead Declarations must be filed annually.

Property owners whose dwellings meet the definition of a Vermont homestead must file a Homestead Declaration annually by the unextended personal income tax due date,  April 15. If eligible, it is important that you file so that you are correctly assessed the homestead tax rate on your property.

All property is considered “nonresidential,” unless it is declared as a “homestead.” The education property tax rate levied on nonresidential property differs from the rate levied on homestead property. It is your responsibility as the property owner to claim the property as a homestead if you meet, or expect to meet, the following requirements:

• You are a Vermont resident

• You own and occupy a homestead as your domicile as of April 1, of the calendar year

Please note: If you meet these requirements, except that your homestead is leased to a tenant on April 1, of the calendar year, you may still claim it as a homestead if it is not leased for more than 182 days in the calendar year.