By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Buchanan County residents 62 and older will be able to apply next year for a property tax freeze on their primary residence.
The County Commission has unanimously approved the proposal made possible by a change in state law.
Presiding Commissioner, Scott Nelson, says the commission met with entities that received revenue from property taxes before making the decision. Nelson doesn’t expect a freeze in property tax assessments for senior citizens to have much of an impact.
“I can only speak from the county’s budget and we’re of the opinion that it will have very little impact on our budgeting,” Nelson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
Eligible county residents will have the property tax assessment of their primary residence maintained at the 2024 level as long as their live there. As other residents reach the age of 62, they can apply for the property tax freeze.
The Missouri legislature first adopted Senate Bill 190 a year ago. Though signed into law, problems arose quickly. Not only did the law leave out retirees who do not receive Social Security benefits, such as teachers and many public employees, it confused many county officials looking to adopt its provisions.
State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville returned to the legislative session this year seeking to shore up its provisions. The revised legislation passed and Gov. Mike Parson signed it into law.
Applications will be taken in Buchanan County beginning March 1st. Nelson says the Commission met with county officeholders on an application process to make it as simple as possible.
“Simple as possible for anybody over 62 to walk in the courthouse, be pointed in the right direction, pick up an application, and know exactly where to go,” Nelson says. “For those who are computer savvy, you can get on early and find out what you need to bring. Because you need to prove two things. You need to prove your residence and you need to prove your age.”
The state cannot impose a tax break on local governmental jurisdictions, so the legislation left it up to the 114 individual counties in Missouri as well as the City of St. Louis to adopt its provisions. The legislation allows counties to freeze the property tax assessment on the primary residence for as long as the senior citizens live there. It could either be adopted by county officials or through initiative petition of county residents.
Nelson says the commission didn’t feel pressured into adopting the freeze, stating any tax relief the county can provide to senior citizens is a good step.
“And give them some peace of mind in whatever sort of budgeting process they go to with their finances and not have to worry about their real estate taxes being increased; that’s a good thing,” Nelson says.
The initial application period will run through June 30th.
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