classification - Application. 1. To be eligible for a primary residential property classification under this chapter, a primary residence must be certified by the county director of tax equalization as provided in this section. 2. A dwelling does not lose its character as a primary residence if the owner of the dwelling does not reside in the primary residence because the individual is confined in a nursing home, hospital, or other care facility, for as long as that confinement lasts and the portion of the primary residence previously occupied by the individual is not rented to another person. 3. To be certified as a primary residence and eligible for the primary residential property classification under this chapter, an owner shall sign and file with the tax commissioner an application containing a verified statement of facts establishing the owner's property meets the eligibility requirements to be considered a primary residence under this section as of the date of the application on a form and in the manner prescribed by the tax commissioner. a. An application for primary residence certification must be filed by April first of each year to request a primary residence certification for: (1) The taxable year during which the application is filed for a primary residence taxed as real estate under this title. (2) The taxable year succeeding the taxable year during which the application is filed for a primary residence taxed as a mobile home under chapter 57-55. b. As soon as practicable after receiving the applications, no later than May thirty- first of each year, the tax commissioner shall: (1) Review the applications received under this subsection and determine which applicants qualify for the primary residence certification; and (2) Provide to each county director of tax equalization a copy of each approved or rejected application received under this subsection which identifies property located in the county. c. Within fifteen days of receipt of the applications from the tax commissioner under paragraph 2 of subdivision b, the county director of tax equalization shall notify the applicant of the approval or denial of the application and reflect the appropriate classification of the property on the assessment list. d. The tax commissioner may request additional documentation from the applicant when making the determination of eligibility. e. Determinations of eligibility under this subsection may be appealed through the informal equalization process and formal abatement process. 4. A primary residence certification under this section is valid for the entire taxable year for which the application for certification was approved, without regard to any change of ownership of the property which occurs after the application for certification was approved. 5. The tax commissioner shall prescribe, design, and make available all forms necessary to effectuate this section. Application forms must include the full name and address of the applicant and any other information prescribed by the tax commissioner. The county director of tax equalization shall make these forms available to applicants upon request. 6. For purposes of this section: a. "Owned" means the individual holds a present ownership interest, including ownership in fee simple, holds a present life estate or other terminable present ownership interest, holds a beneficial interest in a qualifying trust, or is a purchaser under a contract for deed. The term does not include a mere right of occupancy or a tenancy under a lease. b. (1) "Primary residence" means a dwelling in this state, including the land, appurtenances, and improvements used in the residential occupancy of the dwelling, which is not exempt from property taxes as a farm residence and, subject to subsection 2 and paragraph 2, as of the assessment date of the taxable year, is: (a) Owned by one or more individuals, either directly or through a beneficial interest in a qualifying trust; (b) Designed or adapted for human residence; (c) Used as a residence; and (d) Occupied as a primary place of residence by an owner, an individual who has a life estate in the property, or, for property owned through a beneficial interest in a qualifying trust, by a trustor or beneficiary of the trust who qualifies for the certification. (2) For purposes of the term: (a) An individual may not have more than one primary residence. (b) A primary residence includes a primary residence taxed under chapter 57-55. c. "Qualifying trust" means a trust: (1) In which the agreement, will, or court order creating the trust, an instrument transferring property to the trust, or any other agreement that is binding on the trustee provides that the trustor of the trust or a beneficiary of the trust has the right to use and occupy as the trustor's or beneficiary's primary residence rent free and without charge except for taxes and other costs and expenses specified in the instrument or court order: (a) For life; (b) For the lesser of life or a term of years; or (c) Until the date the trust is revoked or terminated by an instrument or court order that describes the property with sufficient certainty to identify it and is recorded in the real property records of the county in which the property is located; and (2) That acquires the property in an instrument of title or under a court order that: (a) Describes the property with sufficient certainty to identify it and the interest acquired; and (b) Is recorded in the real property records of the county in which the property is located. d. "Trustor" means an individual who transfers an interest in real or personal property to a qualifying trust, whether during the individual's lifetime or at death, or the individual's spouse.
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