Boone County Senior Real Estate Tax Relief Program

Tax Relief Contact Form

A real estate property tax credit program is now available to certain eligible Boone County residents. Eligible taxpayers must apply annually for a tax credit on their primary residence.

The Boone County Senior Real Estate Tax Relief Program was established in response to enabling legislation from the Missouri General Assembly and voter approval of Boone County Proposition 1 on April 3, 2024. Boone County's program is authorized under Commission Order 256-2024.

An eligible taxpayer is defined as a Boone County, Missouri resident who:

Is sixty-two (62) years of age or older before January 1 of the initial credit year; and
Is an owner of record of a homestead or has a legal or equitable interest in such property as evidenced by a written instrument; and
Is liable for the payment of real property taxes on such homestead.

Eligible taxpayers who apply for and qualify for the Boone County Senior Real Estate Tax Relief Program will receive a credit equal to the difference between an eligible taxpayer's real property tax liability on such taxpayer's homestead for a given tax year, and the real property tax liability on such homestead in the year that the taxpayer became an eligible taxpayer.

For eligible taxpayers as of January 1, 2024, the credit will be calculated by using 2024 as the base tax year. Any eligible credit amount would be applied to the 2025 real estate tax statement.

The application process for 2024 base year ended at 5:00 PM, Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Individuals that missed the deadline, or reached the age of 62 during 2024 will have an opportunity to apply for the program next year and establish 2025 as the base tax year. We anticipate that application period to begin no later than April 1, 2025, and run through June 30, 2025.

When the application period opens, applications can be accessed online by downloading our printable application or in person at the Boone County Collector's office. All applications, including renewals, must be signed in the presence of a notary public. Completed applications along with required supporting documents are to be submitted to the Collector's Office before the annual due date. Notary services are available at most banks/credit unions, local libraries and at the Government Center, when available.

Questions regarding the program may be emailed to BooneTaxCredit@boonecountymo.org or sent via our Tax Relief Contact Form. We anticipate many inquiries regarding the program. We appreciate your patience as we work to answer your questions in an effective and efficient manner. Most questions can be answered by referring to the Senior Real Estate Tax Relief Program FAQs for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (Revised 10-01-2024)

Print All FAQs

Questions

Do I have to apply for the Senior Real Estate Tax Relief Program?
When would I receive my tax credit?
What is an Eligible Taxpayer?
What is my Eligible Credit Amount?
What is a Homestead?
Can an Eligible Taxpayer claim more than one primary residence for purposes of this credit?
What is the Initial Credit Year?
How do I apply for this Tax Credit?
How will I know if my application has been approved?
Will I need to reapply for the credit each year?
What supporting documentation must be submitted along with my application.
Once my application is approved, does that mean the amount I pay for my real estate taxes is frozen and will never go up?
How will I know the amount of the tax credit I'm receiving?
My real estate taxes are paid through my mortgage company. How will this credit be applied for me?
My primary residence is currently enrolled in the monthly installment plan. Can I continue to participate in the installment plan if I also receive an eligible credit?
What if only one homeowner meets the age requirement for the tax credit?
What happens if I sell my home for which I was receiving eligible credits for and move into another home in Boone County?

Answers

1. Do I have to apply for the Senior Real Estate Tax Relief Program?

Yes. The program is voluntary. You will need to submit an initial base year application along with supporting documentation to the Collector's office. Eligible taxpayers will need to submit a renewal application for subsequent tax years to continue receiving eligible credits. All applications must be signed in the presence of a notary public. Notary services are available at most banks/credit unions, local libraries and at the Government Center, when available.

2. When would I receive my tax credit?

For eligible taxpayers that submit an initial base year application in 2024, any eligible credit amount would be applied to the 2025 real estate tax statement. Keep in mind that these are credits that will be applied to your tax statement, not refunds of taxes paid. The tax credits are not retroactive. The base year application determines when tax credits will be applied.

3. What is an Eligible Taxpayer?

A resident of Boone County, Missouri who is sixty-two (62) years of age or older before January 1 of the Initial Credit Year;
An owner of record of a Homestead or had legal or equitable interest in such property as evidenced by a written instrument; and
Liable for payment of real property taxes on said Homestead.

4. What is my Eligible Credit Amount?

The Eligible Credit Amount is the difference between the Eligible Taxpayer's real property tax liability on the taxpayer's Homestead for a given tax year (with exception to Section 4 of ordinance) and the property tax liability on the said Homestead in the year that the taxpayer became an Eligible Taxpayer.

5. What is a Homestead?

A Homestead is the real estate property occupied by an Eligible Taxpayer as their primary residence and up to 2.5 (two and one half) acres. Homestead properties with more than 2.5 acres are eligible; however, the eligible credit will be based on the residence and up to 2.5 acres of land. Mobile homes that are assessed as personal property (homes not permanently attached to a parcel of land) are not considered real estate property for purposes of the homestead definition.

6. Can an Eligible Taxpayer claim more than one primary residence for purposes of this credit?

No. Eligible Taxpayers shall only claim one (1) primary residence statewide as their Homestead. Eligible taxpayers cannot claim credits on rental properties. If you own a duplex or a parcel of land with multiple structures that serve as dwelling units, you can only claim a credit on that portion that serves as your primary residence.

7. What is the Initial Credit Year?

The Initial Credit Year is the year that a taxpayer became an Eligible Taxpayer, which shall be no earlier than January 1, 2024.

8. How do I apply for this Tax Credit?

Applications can be accessed online by downloading our printable application or in person at the Boone County Collector's Office. All applications, including renewals, must be signed in the presence of a notary public. Completed applications along with required supporting documents are to be submitted to the Collector's office before the annual due date. The deadline for those Eligible Taxpayers applying for Initial Credit Year 2024 ended at 5:00 PM on October 1, 2024. Individuals that missed the deadline will have the opportunity to apply the following year. The deadline for all subsequent years will be June 30 of each year.

9. How will I know if my application has been approved?

The Collector's office intends to notify applicants by mail that their application has been approved or denied. Completed applications will be reviewed by the Collector's office and the Assessor's office. Please be patient with us as we implement this new proram. Please allow for up to 30 days for your application to be reviewed and notifications to be sent. If additional information is needed to process the application, the Collector's office will first attempt to contact the applicant by the phone number provided. Incomplete applications that are not cured by the deadline, or applications received after the deadline to submit will be denied for that year.

10. Will I need to reapply for the credit each year?

Yes. The deadline for those Eligible Taxpayers applying for Initial Credit Year 2024 ended at 5:00 PM on October 1, 2024 to establish 2024 as the initial base year. Individuals that missed the deadline will have the opportunity to apply the following yearThe deadline for all subsequent years will be June 30 of each year. The Collector's office intends to mail renewal notices that must be completed and returned in order to continue in the program. Failure to complete the annual renewal process by the deadline will result in termination of the program, and eligible taxpayers will need to submit a new application establishing a new base year for the program.

11. What supporting documentation must be submitted along with my application.

Proof of Residency showing the address of the homestead being claimed (include one of the following):

A copy of the applicant's driver's license
A copy of the applicant's voter registration card
A copy of a Missouri state issued ID (such as a nondriver ID)

Proof of Age for the Applicant (include one of the following)

A copy of the applicant's driver's license
A copy of the applicant's birth certificate
A copy of the applicant's passport

Proof of Ownership (include one of the following)

The vesting deed book and page number as recorded in the Boone County Recorder of Deeds Office
A copy of the deed identifying the applicant as owner of the property
A copy of the deed and a written instrument showing the applicant has a legal or equitable interest in the property (trust agreement, operating agreement, etc.)

12. Once my application is approved, does that mean the amount I pay for my real estate taxes is frozen and will never go up?

No. The tax relief program does not freeze your real estate taxes or the assessed value of your home. Countywide reassessemnts will continue to happen every odd-numbered year. Your real estate tax liability may increase incrementally based upon changes in certain taxes which are exempt from the program, such as the State of Missouri Blind Pension Fund and voter-approved bond indebtedness levies. Your taxes may also increase due to any new construction or improvements that would cause an increase in valuation of the overall claimed homestead, or if your homestead is annexed into a taxing jurisdiction that was not included on your tax bill in the initial credit year.

13. How will I know the amount of the tax credit I'm receiving?

Any tax credit will be noted on the annual real estate tax statement sent by the Boone County Collector. You will be responsible for paying the remaining amount of taxes due on the statement. The tax bills are due upon receipt and the last day to pay without late charges is December 31 each year.

14. My real estate taxes are paid through my mortgage company. How will this credit be applied for me?

The collector's office will notify any escrow company that requests the annual tax information for parcels that they service. This tax information will include the amount of taxes due less any applied credit. As always, it is the taxpayer's responsibility to make sure the taxes are paid timely by their escrow company.

15. My primary residence is currently enrolled in the monthly installment plan. Can I continue to participate in the installment plan if I also receive an eligible credit?

Yes. You can continue to be enrolled in the real estate installment plan for taxes on your primary residence.

16. What if only one homeowner meets the age requirement for the tax credit?

Only one homeowner needs to meet the age requirement for the household to claim the tax credit. Please note that the tax credits cannot be transferred to another individual that does not meet the definition of an eligible taxpayer.

17. What happens if I sell my home for which I was receiving eligible credits for and move into another home in Boone County?

The eligible credit is based on the primary residence as indicated on the application. The tax credits do not transfer to another homestead or to the new property owner. If you meet the criteria for an eligible taxpayer, you will need to complete the application process for the new homestead.