Missouri Seniors: Freeze Your Property Taxes
If you’re 62 or older and own your home in Missouri, there’s a new opportunity to protect yourself from rising property taxes. Thanks to a new state law, many counties across Missouri now allow eligible seniors to ‘freeze’ the property tax amount on their primary residence. That means your tax bill can stay the same year after year—even if your home value goes up.
How to Apply in 4 Simple Steps
- Check if Your County Offers the Program
This program is optional for Missouri Missouri counties. Visit your local county collector or assessor’s website to confirm whether your county has opted in. Many counties—including Jackson, Clay, Platte, Cass, and Johnson—have already adopted it.
- Make Sure You Qualify
To be eligible, you must:
– Be at least 62 years old
– Own or have a legal interest in your home (for example, through a trust)
– Live in the home as your primary residence
– Be responsible for paying property taxes
- Gather Required Documents
You’ll typically need to provide:
– Proof of age (like a driver’s license)
– Proof of residency (such as a utility bill or voter registration)
– Proof of ownership or legal interest (such as a deed or trust document)
- Complete and Submit Your Application
Each Missouri county has its own process and deadlines. If you live in a participating Missouri county, you can usually apply online or in person.
– Jackson County residents can apply here: https://us.openforms.com/Form/99a61fae-0c0e-4a65-b658-47aaac894f79
– Clay County info: https://www.claycountymo.gov/523/Senior-Real-Estate-Property-Tax-Relief
– Platte County info: https://www.co.platte.mo.us/tax-credit
– Cass County info: Cass County information form
– Johnson County info: https://www.jcmtax.com/senior-tax-credit
Once your application is approved, your property taxes will be frozen at the amount owed the year you applied. You may need to reapply annually, depending on your county’s rules.
For more information on the Missouri law that made this possible, visit the Missouri Revisor’s site here:
https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=137.1050
