FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2024
Platte County Clerk’s Office: 816-827-4075
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.co.platte.mo.us
Platte County Commission Enacts Senior Citizens ’Real Property Tax Freeze Credit
The Platte County Commission is pleased to announce that applications are now available for the Platte County Senior Citizens ’Real Property Tax Freeze Credit, a significant initiative aimed at providing financial stability for senior homeowners in the county. Authorized under Missouri’s Senate Bill 190 (SB190), this program allows eligible senior citizens to apply annually for a tax credit designed to freeze the real property taxes on their homes, ensuring predictability and protecting against potential spikes in property tax bills.
The tax freeze program is available to homeowners who meet the following criteria:
• Must be at least 62 years of age.
• Must own their primary residence in Platte County.
• Must be responsible for the payment of property taxes on their home.
The County’s SB190 Work Group was led by First District Commissioner Dagmar Wood. “I’m extremely pleased we are able to bring real property tax relief to our senior citizens,” said Wood. “This will help our seniors stay in their own homes and live with dignity and financial peace of mind, without the worry of escalating property taxes.”
Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, the sponsor of SB190, said, “I’m grateful for the Commission’s action implementing Senate Bill 190. One of the issues I’ve heard repeatedly from Platte County seniors is that out-of-control property taxes have risked them being taxed out of their homes. This common-sense measure will protect our seniors by freezing the taxes on their primary residence, ensuring they are never evicted from their homes by burdensome taxes.”
With the next property tax re-assessment scheduled for 2025, and re-assessments occurring every odd-numbered year thereafter, qualifying applicants will see their property tax bills calculated based on their 2024 tax amount. A tax credit will be applied to their 2025 tax statement, offsetting any future increases in assessed value or operational levies.
It is important to note that certain levies, such as those funding the Missouri State Blind Pension Fund ($0.03) and debt levies, are exempt from this program. As a result, seniors may still experience slight increases in their tax bills due to these specific levies.
Application Details:
• Initial Application Period: Applications will be accepted in the Platte County Clerk’s Office starting September 3, 2024, through May 15, 2025.
• Ongoing Application Period: Beginning in 2025, applications will be accepted annually from October 1st through December 31st.
Applications are now available for download from the Platte County website at https://www.co.platte.mo.us/tax-credit. Hard copies can also be picked up at the County Clerk’s Office, 415 Third Street, Room 116 in Platte City.
For more information or to address any questions regarding the Senior Citizens ’Real Property Tax Freeze Credit, please email [email protected] or contact the Clerk’s Office directly at 816-827-4075.
Pictured: Freda Rhodes, a Platte County senior citizen, fills out a senior citizen’s property tax freeze application with County Clerk Jera Pruitt.