Ray County Senior Tax Credit
For Seniors 62 & Older
WHAT IS THE SENIOR TAX CREDIT
The Senior Tax Credit allows you to freeze your county real estate tax on your primary residence. This credit applies solely to the residential portion on your tax statement. If you are 62 years old or older on or before December 31, 2024, your frozen tax year will be 2024, with your first credit reflected on your 2025 tax statement. If you are not sixty- two, your frozen credit year will be the year you turn sixty-two. For example, if you turn sixty-two any time during 2025, that will be your frozen tax year, and your first credit will appear on your 2026 tax statement.
TO QUALIFY FOR A CREDIT
• Applicants must be sixty-two or older. If you turn sixty-two between January 1st – December 31 st of the application year you qualify for the tax credit.
• The Credit applies only to your primary residence. You must provide proof of residency with your application.
• You must be the owner of the property or have a legal equitable interest and be responsible for payment of the taxes.
• You must submit a notarized application each year to receive the credit. Our office can notarize your application for you during normal business hours Monday-Friday, 8:00-12:00 & 1:00-4:00, beginning February 1st.
HOW MUCH IS MY TAX CREDIT
• Your credit will be equal to the difference between the residential tax amount on your homestead in the year you turn sixty-two and any future year. If you are already 62, your initial credit year will be 2024.
• General Obligation Bonds (Debt Service), State of Missouri Blind Pension Fund, and Special Assessments can not be frozen. If there is an increase in any of those levies, your tax bill will increase.
o Currently, the following tax districts have Bonds:
• Orrick School District
• Lawson School District
• Excelsior Springs School District
• Polo School District
• Norborne School District
• City of Richmond
• City of Lawson
• Any tax increase for new construction or improvements will not be frozen. The additional tax generated due to improvements will add to your initial frozen tax year.
• If at any time your real estate tax decreases, that new year will become your frozen amount.
• If you sell your homestead during the year, your tax credit will not transfer to your new homestead. The credit will remain on the property sold until the following application year.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
• May 31 st each year is the last day to turn in your application. Applications submitted after that date will receive a credit the following year.
• Saturday, March 8, 2025 & Saturday, March 29, 2025 – The Courthouse will be open these two additional days from 9:00-Noon, to submit your application.