Homestead Declaration

By Vermont law, property owners whose homes meet the definition of a Vermont homestead must file a Homestead Declaration annually by the April filing deadline. If eligible, it is important that you file so that you are correctly assessed the homestead tax rate on your property. Here is the information you, as the property owner, need to know about the Vermont Homestead Declaration.

In Vermont, all property is subject to education property tax to pay for the state’s schools. For this purpose, the property is categorized as either non-homestead or homestead. A homestead is the principal dwelling and parcel of land surrounding the dwelling, owned and occupied by the resident as the person’s domicile.

All property is considered non-homestead, unless it is declared as a homestead. The education property tax rate levied on non-homestead 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, 2024.