Camden County Freezes Real Estate Taxes For Seniors

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — Senior citizens who live in Camden County can apply to have their real estate taxes frozen once they turn 62, thanks to a new county ordinance that reflects a new state law.

The Camden County Commission unanimously approved the ordinance to allow the freezing of real estate taxes for Camden County seniors, at the commission's Thursday, September 7 commission meeting. The ordinance was made possible by the passage of Senate Bill 190.

Senate Bill 190

Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson signed Senate Bill 190 (SB 190) into law on Wednesday, July 6, 2023. SB 190. SB 190 was sponsored by Senator Tony Luetkemeyer (R-District 34), and it modifies provisions relating to the taxation of seniors.

The Camden County Commission has been working since July with their attorney, stakeholders, and county officials on drafting an ordinance that would be fair for all affected.

SB 190 authorizes a county to grant a property tax credit to eligible taxpayers residing in the county, provided the county has adopted an ordinance authorizing the credit, or a petition in support of the credit is delivered to the governing body. The county has now adopted such an ordinance.

The ordinance only pertains to primary residences and the applicant will be required to provide proof of eligibility.

Eligible taxpayers

Eligible taxpayers are defined as residents who: 1) are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits; and those without Social Security who are at an age eligible to receive ‘old-age insurance benefits,’ which currently is 62 years of age. 2) are the owner of record of, or have a legal or equitable interest in, a homestead; and 3) are liable for the payment of real property taxes on such homestead.

The amount of the taxes will freeze, and not increase, when the taxpayer becomes age 62. Only taxes will be frozen, not assessments or levees. For example, remodeling which expands square footage and results in a 50 percent increase in the assessment will trigger a reassessment of the property taxes.

Individuals will need to apply to have their taxes frozen.

‘This is a great benefit for people who have worked their entire life and paid their taxes,” Camden County Commissioner James Gohagen said. “It is good to give them a break, especially those on a fixed income.”

Camden and Green are the only counties in Missouri that have passed an ordinance to freeze real estate taxes for seniors. Green County did not include all seniors, only those who receive social security.

“SB 190 was so vague it would have excluded teachers, federal employees, and railroad workers because they do not pay social security,” Gohagen said. “Camden County changed the ordinance to include those who are 62 or older, even if they do not receive social security retirement benefits.”

The bill took effect on Monday, August 28 which means real estate taxes will be frozen for all Camden County senior applicants who apply for and meet eligibility requirements.

Applications will be available for Camden County residents in the first quarter of 2024.