In a move to provide lasting financial relief for older residents, the Henry County Commission has officially enacted an ordinance establishing a property tax credit for eligible senior citizens. This aims to freeze ad valorem real property taxes, or a tax based on the assessed value of an item or transaction, for qualifying senior homeowners, offering significant tax stability in their later years.
This decision stems from Senate Bill 756, which Governor Mike Parson signed into law. These legislative efforts created a legal framework for counties to implement tax relief programs for aging residents, with the goal of reducing the burden of increasing property taxes.
To qualify for the credit, applicants must be Missouri residents aged 62 or older as of December 31st of the tax year. They must also own or have a legal or equitable interest in a residential homestead and be current on all property taxes at the time of application. Only a taxpayer’s primary residence, including up to five contiguous acres and non-commercial structures, qualifies. Properties with commercial elements are partially excluded. Ineligible properties include those with outstanding tax delinquencies or those assessed under special taxation provisions in the year of eligibility.
Eligible taxpayers will receive a credit equal to the difference between their property tax liability in the year they first qualified and their current liability. This effectively “freezes” their tax bill at the original amount, protecting them from increases tied to reassessment or new levies—except in specific cases such as new construction or annexation into a new taxing district.
The credit applies to all ad valorem taxes, including those levied by school, township, and fire districts, subject to legal authority. However, the credit does not apply to levies such as the State Blind Pension Fund or voter-approved bond debts.
Applications for the tax credit must be submitted annually by June 30th. The application form, approved by the County Commission, requires proof of age and residency, verification of ownership or legal interest in the homestead, and confirmation that the applicant is not receiving a similar benefit elsewhere in the U.S. Only one individual may claim the credit per jointly owned property.
The County Collector will maintain a public list of eligible taxpayers and parcel numbers each year and is responsible for reviewing and forwarding eligible applications to the Commission. Any false declaration made on the form is punishable under Missouri law.
The benefits are great, but there are ways to lose out on them if you’re not careful. The credit is revoked if the property is sold, if the taxpayer no longer resides there, or if taxes become delinquent. Taxpayers denied the credit may appeal the decision in writing to the County Commission within 30 days of notification.
Importantly, the ordinance ensures that the tax credit amount will not decrease, even if a property’s value drops, unless a reassessment or remodeling event triggers a new valuation under state law. If you are wanting to cash in on the benefits of this ordinance, then you can fill out an application and take it to the Henry County Collector at the courthouse.
