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1. Are all Clay County Senior Residents eligible for Senate Bill 190 tax relief?

No, the bill as passed says a homeowner must be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. This language excludes those who contributed to other retirement systems, such as teachers. However, the Clay County Commission has proposed broadening the language to those who Social Security retirement age. Which is currently interpreted as age 62 or older.

2. What is the status of Clay County enacting legislation to enact Senate Bill 190?

The Clay County Commission is evaluating the impact of implementing Senate Bill 190 on the various municipalities, school districts and other taxing agencies within the county. In addition, calculations of the tax freeze require development of new processes and software. The Clay County Commission will be voting on the ordinance for the Senior Tax Credit at the November 30, 2023, Commission meeting. 

3. Once Clay County enacts legislation, is a senior automatically in the program?

No, a Clay County resident 62 or older, who owns a home used as their primary residence, and who pays the real estate taxes for that home, must submit an annual application to participate in the program.

4. Once in the program, will a senior’s real estate property tax always be the same and never go up?

No, the senior’s real estate tax may increase incrementally based upon certain taxes exempt from the program. Tax levies that fund debt payments and the State of Missouri Blind Fund are exempt from the program. Annual renewal of your application to the program is required, if a renewal is not submitted, participation in the program is terminated. If re-application is made a new base year will be established for calculation of the tax credit and may cause the tax due to increase.

5. What is the estimated financial impact to Clay County, cities, school districts, and other jurisdictions?

As a result of SB 190 implementation, the Clay County Auditor estimates between $2 and $3 million per year of less revenue growth from property taxes Countywide for all jurisdictions. This amount does compound out and add up each year. 

6. Where can I submit questions or comments regarding this program?

Questions and comments are welcomed and encouraged by email at publicservices@claycountymo.gov. If you would rather call and leave a message for one of the Commissioners please feel free to direct your questions to (816) 407-3600 and mention it is in regards to Senate Bill 190.

7. What year will be used as the base year for determining my tax credit?

If you are eligible at the start of the program and submit an application the base year used to calculate the 2025 tax credit will be the amount of taxes paid in 2024.

 

Going forward the “base year” will be the year prior to the taxpayer becoming eligible and submitting an application to the program. If there is a lapse in participation or a change in the homestead the base year will change. The “base year” will not be retroactively applied.

 

Examples:

If an eligible taxpayer turned 62 in 2020, the “base year” used will be 2024.

If an eligible taxpayer turns 62 in 2025, and applies in 2025 the base year will be 2024.

If an eligible taxpayer turns 62 in 2025, but does not apply for the program until 2026, the base year will be 2025, not 2024.

If an eligible taxpayer turns 62 in 2025, but does not apply for the program until 2027, the base year used will be 2026, so on and so forth.