With the signing of Missouri Senate Bill 190 (SB190) in 2023, this legislation is expected to give Platte County’s senior citizens much-needed tax relief. Progress on SB190’s implementation, which allows for those who are Social Security retirement eligible to receive a credit that essentially freezes their property taxes on their primary residence, will be posted here. (Taxpayers do not need to be currently drawing Social Security benefits in order to qualify, just be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.)
With the direction and full support of the commission, a SB190 work group has been formed of officeholders and staff to:
Passage of a commission order is planned for early 2024 and directions on how to apply will be linked to the County’s website.
However, if you are specifically concerned with the current valuation of your property, Contact the Assessor's office.
December 12, 2023 SB190 Update:
On December 1, 2023, Senator Tony Luetkemeyer pre-filed Senate Bill 756, which expands Senate Bill 190 to include senior citizens 62 years of age and older. If passed, this act would also capture educators and railroad workers, who would not have otherwise qualified due to not being contributors to Social Security. Our Platte County Commission advocated for and supports this expansion to provide important tax relief for all Platte County senior citizens. Senate Bill 756
On November 20, 2023, the Platte County Commission approved the contract for Travis Elliott, attorney who has advised other counties on the implementation of Senate Bill 190. Our commission is pleased to have Mr. Elliott assisting us and the SB190 Workgroup on this important tax relief for our senior citizens.
February 19, 2024 Update:
In January, the Platte County commission approved the budget to include staff funding to administer the Platte County Senior Citizens’ Property Tax Freeze Program. Clerk Jera Pruitt’s office will be administering the Program.
The legislation to enact the Program in Platte County is projected to be on an Administrative Session agenda in March, with applications due May 15, 2024. Information and an application, which is currently being drafted, will be mailed out to property owners in Platte County after an order is passed implementing the program.
Our website will soon look substantially different, but please come back to the County’s website for more updates.
March 18, 2024 Update:
The Platte County Commission enacted the Platte County Senior Citizens’ Real Property Tax Freeze Credit on Monday, March 18, 2024. The legislation, recently authorized under Missouri’s Senate Bill 190 (SB190), enables senior citizens to apply annually for a tax credit essentially to freeze the real property taxes on their home, providing predictability and avoiding potential spikes in property tax bills.
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.”
Homeowner applicants must be at least 62 years of age, be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, and be responsible for the payment of their home’s property taxes.
Platte County Clerk Jera Pruitt, who served on the SB190 Work Group and recently added staff to process applications for the new tax credit, said, “The County Clerk’s Office will help deliver on the promise of tax relief to our seniors. Platte County has prospered because of the investment this generation made in our community and it’s time to recognize their efforts.”
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.”
Real property tax re-assessment happens every odd-numbered year. With the passage of today’s commission order, the first base tax year is established. For qualified applicants, tax bills will be calculated by using 2024 as the base tax year, with a credit issued on their 2025 tax statement due to future increases on assessed value or future operational levy increases. Under the state’s Hancock Amendment, levies imposed to pay for public bonds are not affected, so there may be an increase in seniors’ tax bills in those instances. Because 2024 is not a re-assessment year and serves as the tax base, applications will need to be submitted for the year 2024.
Applications will be accepted in the Clerk’s Office beginning September 1, 2024 and will be available through May 15, 2025, in time for the 2025 valuation year. Printable applications will be made available on the County’s website in September at www.co.platte.mo.us with hard copies also available at the County Clerk’s Office. Questions may be emailed to SeniorTaxCredit@co.platte.mo.us. Citizens may also call the Clerk’s Office at 816-827-4075.
Platte County is one of the early adopters in Missouri to pass this senior tax relief credit. The SB190 Work Group included Platte County Commissioner Dagmar Wood, Clerk Jera Pruitt, Collector Sheila Palmer, Auditor Kevin Robinson, Administrator Wes Minder, Director of Administration Dana Babcock, Information Systems Director Ted Smith, and attorney Travis Elliott.
Dagmar Wood
1st District Commissioner
Chair, SB190 Workgroup
Scott Fricker
Presiding Commissioner
Joe Vanover
2nd District Commissioner