Help could soon be on the way for senior citizens regarding property taxes in Jackson County. A Missouri tax credit was passed in 2023 to cap seniors’ property taxes.The problem is that it’s not known at what amount their taxes will be capped, leaving many wondering if they can afford it. That includes Jackson County resident Lue Asmussen. Retired and living on Social Security and her pension, her house is paid off.When it comes to her property tax bill from Jackson County, she’s not as fortunate. “It’s just not knowing what’s going to happen that’s nerve-wracking,” she said. “I’m afraid it’s going to go up so much that I’m not going to be able to manage it. I was prepared to put my house up for sale last year.”She saved every penny she could to pay her $2,100 property tax bill in 2023. Despite her good health, at 80 years old, and not having much in savings, she fears she could be headed for disaster in an emergency. Getting answers from Jackson County has been difficult, she says.”I was asking about the freeze of taxes, and I said when will they be ready, and she said we haven’t even started that yet, and I said, well, they’re supposed to be done by the end of April. Well, that’s not going to happen. And that was the conversation.”Legislators approved Missouri Senate Bill 190, passed last year allowing counties to cap senior citizens’ property taxes, as long as they are eligible for Social Security and their primary residence is worth less than $550,000. Taxes will freeze at the 2024 rate.The problem is no one knows what that will be.Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith has held question-and-answer sessions for seniors but admits it will be a long time before anyone knows what their tax amount is capped at.”Right now, people can submit, but they can’t get a confirmation that they’ve done everything properly until we, the county, have hired those resources, and as a legislator, I’m not allowed to do that myself,” Smith said.Smith says he doesn’t know when the county will start hiring staff to review those applications.You can still apply, and the deadline was extended to the end of the year, December 31st.Senior property tax cap applications are now available on the county’s website.Related story: State of Missouri seeking to have the 2023 property assessments in Jackson County voided:
Help could soon be on the way for senior citizens regarding property taxes in Jackson County.
A Missouri tax credit was passed in 2023 to cap seniors’ property taxes.
The problem is that it’s not known at what amount their taxes will be capped, leaving many wondering if they can afford it.
That includes Jackson County resident Lue Asmussen.
Retired and living on Social Security and her pension, her house is paid off.
When it comes to her property tax bill from Jackson County, she’s not as fortunate.
“It’s just not knowing what’s going to happen that’s nerve-wracking,” she said. “I’m afraid it’s going to go up so much that I’m not going to be able to manage it. I was prepared to put my house up for sale last year.”
She saved every penny she could to pay her $2,100 property tax bill in 2023.
Despite her good health, at 80 years old, and not having much in savings, she fears she could be headed for disaster in an emergency.
Getting answers from Jackson County has been difficult, she says.
“I was asking about the freeze of taxes, and I said when will they be ready, and she said we haven’t even started that yet, and I said, well, they’re supposed to be done by the end of April. Well, that’s not going to happen. And that was the conversation.”
Legislators approved Missouri Senate Bill 190, passed last year allowing counties to cap senior citizens’ property taxes, as long as they are eligible for Social Security and their primary residence is worth less than $550,000.
Taxes will freeze at the 2024 rate.
The problem is no one knows what that will be.
Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith has held question-and-answer sessions for seniors but admits it will be a long time before anyone knows what their tax amount is capped at.
“Right now, people can submit, but they can’t get a confirmation that they’ve done everything properly until we, the county, have hired those resources, and as a legislator, I’m not allowed to do that myself,” Smith said.
Smith says he doesn’t know when the county will start hiring staff to review those applications.
You can still apply, and the deadline was extended to the end of the year, December 31st.
Senior property tax cap applications are now available on the county’s website.
Related story: State of Missouri seeking to have the 2023 property assessments in Jackson County voided:
