President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862. This can provide asset protection from creditors for at least some of house's value.The homestead can't exceed one acre in a city or 160 acres in a rural area. Lawmakers passed a vague directive letting counties freeze property tax bills for seniors, without defining what "senior" meant. In Missouri, eligible homeowners must file annually for the homestead exemption. To file, they should complete Form MO-PTC, Property Tax Credit Claim. In Missouri, eligible homeowners must file annually for the homestead exemption. To file, they should complete Form MO-PTC, Property Tax Credit Claim. In Missouri, the homestead exemption applies to real property, including your home, condominium, or coop. Join us for a workshop to learn about the Cook County Assessor's Office and homeowner exemptions.