Commission Updates Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief

The Clay County Commission has approved an update to the County’s Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief Program on January 8th, 2026.

The update reflects changes to state law and revises how certain property tax levies are treated within the program. As part of the amendment, property tax levies associated with bonded debt obligations will now be included in the Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief Program, expanding relief for eligible seniors.

The update also clarifies that the program does not apply to the State Blind Pension Fund. This clarification does not change how that fund has been treated under the program.

The County will administer the updated program in accordance with applicable laws and County procedures.

Supporting property tax relief for eligible seniors has been a longstanding and ongoing priority of the Clay County Commission.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

2026 Senior Property Tax Relief Enrollment Period Open

The application and renewal period for the Clay County Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief Program is now open for 2026, with applications accepted from January 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. The program, implemented under Missouri Senate Bill 190 (SB190), aims to help eligible seniors manage rising property tax costs by "freezing" the real estate tax amount based on a "base year".

The Senior Property Tax Relief program provides a property tax credit that essentially freezes the real estate tax at a base year level, so participants do not pay increases in future years as long as they remain eligible. It is important to note that while the real estate tax credit covers increases due to rising property values, homeowners are still responsible for any new taxes or rate increases added by various taxing entities, such as debt service and the state blind pension levy.

Eligibility requirements include:

Being a Clay County citizen aged 62 or older, or turning 62 during the calendar year of application.

Owning and occupying the home as their primary residence.

Being responsible for paying real estate taxes on the property.

The program does not have a household income limit.

Seniors can apply or renew their enrollment online or in person. An annual affidavit is required to confirm continued eligibility:

Online: Visit the dedicated county website at https://www.claycountymo.gov/sb190 to find application and renewal forms.

In-Person: Paper forms are available, and staff are available at the Liberty or Gladstone offices to assist. The website also lists off-site application events.

Required documentation for the initial application includes a valid US government-issued photo ID and proof of all taxes paid.

Due to initial delays in the program's first year, the payment deadline for all Clay County real estate and personal property tax bills for enrolled participants was recently extended to January 30, 2026. No penalties or interest will be assessed for payments made by this extended deadline.

For parcels enrolled in the SB190 program, payments must currently be made by check, cashier's check, or money order; online payment options are not yet available for these specific bills. All other tax bills, including commercial and personal property, can be paid online.

County officials have emphasized their commitment to residents' patience as they navigate the implementation of this new program. For the latest updates, residents are encouraged to monitor the official county website or their social media channels.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

County Extends Tax Payment Deadline Amid Senior Tax Relief

Clay County officials have announced an extension to the payment deadline for real estate and personal property tax bills, moving the due date to January 30, 2026. This decision comes in response to delays caused by the implementation of the Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief Program (SB190), which led to many residents receiving their tax bills later than expected.

The extension aims to reduce confusion and ease the burden on taxpayers. Residents who pay their taxes by the new deadline will not face any penalties or interest. “We are working to implement tax relief for seniors. As with any impactful change, there are challenges. As a result, we are extending the deadline to January 30, 2026, for both Real Estate and Personal Property tax payments,” said Commissioner Jerry Nolte.

Tax bills for parcels enrolled in the Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief program are now available online. Payments for these parcels can be made by check, cashier’s check, or money order. However, electronic payments and cash are not currently accepted for SB190-enrolled parcels. County officials acknowledge that some taxpayers have expressed concerns about the lack of online payment options for SB190 bills and emphasize that providing this service remains a high priority as they continue to explore solutions.

Meanwhile, all other tax bills not covered by the Senior Tax Relief Program—including commercial, personal property, and standard real estate bills—have already been mailed and are also accessible online. These bills may be paid electronically through the county’s online bill pay portal.

Any pre-payments made on parcels enrolled in SB190 will be reflected on the mailed paper bill. Taxpayers who do not see adjustments for pre-payments are advised to contact the Collector’s office. County officials recognize the rollout of the new program has been stressful and frustrating for many residents and express their appreciation for the community’s patience. For further updates, residents are encouraged to visit claycountymo.gov or follow Clay County on Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story

Senior Property Tax Relief Enrollment Ending Soon

The deadline to apply for the Clay County Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief Program is rapidly approaching, with the enrollment period set to close at the end of the month. The program has received an overwhelming response, with over 13,000 applications submitted so far.

Due to the high volume of applications, each submission is being manually processed and reviewed, which means some applicants may not receive confirmation of their status before the deadline. However, county officials are assuring residents that they are working diligently to process every application and determine eligibility, ensuring that all qualified applicants will receive the benefits they are entitled to.

"We appreciate the patience and participation of the community in this important program," said a county spokesperson. "We encourage anyone who has not yet applied to do so before the enrollment period ends."

To assist those still in need of help, several pop-up events will be held this month. Additionally, the Liberty Administration Building and the Gladstone Annex remain open to walk-ins, as long as applicants have all necessary documents. The online application portal is also available throughout the month for those wishing to apply remotely.

For questions or updates regarding an application, visit ClayCountymo.gov/sb190

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief Begins Jan. 1

The Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief program was passed by the Clay County Commission in 2023. On January 1, the work begins when the program goes into effect.

To be eligible for the Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief program, you must turn or be 62 years of age during the calendar year 2025, a Clay County resident and own your home, the home you are claiming must be your primary residence, and you must be responsible for the property tax.

To enroll in the program, seniors will need a valid US Government issued photo identification, proof of all taxes paid, and proof of ownership.

The tax relief is not retroactive and all Clay County residents eligible for the tax relief, and who apply in 2025, will have a base tax year of 2024. The tax relief is calculated by subtracting the real estate property tax of the base year from the current year’s real estate property tax.

Participants are required to submit an affidavit every year after the initial application to ensure eligibility is still being met.

For more information about the Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief program, visit HERE. https://www.claycountymo.gov/563/2024---2025-Senior-Real-Estate-Property-

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.