Introducing Ray County Senior Tax Credit
For Seniors 62 & Older

WHAT IS THE SENIOR TAX CREDIT
The Senior Tax Credit authorizes Ray County to freeze the annual Real Estate Property Tax on your primary residence. The credit applies solely to the residential portion on your tax statement. If you are 62 years old or older on or beofre December 31, 2024, your frozen tax year will be 2024, with your first credit reflected on your 2025 tax statement. If you are not 62, your frozen credit year will be the year you turn 62. For example, if you turn 62 any time during 2025, that will be your frozen tax year, and your first credit will appear on your 2026 tax statement.
TO QUALIFY FOR A CREDIT
- Applicants must be 62 or older. If you turn 62 any time during the application year, you qualify.
- The property must be your primary residence. Proof of residency is required with your application.
- You must be the owner of the property or have a legal equitable interest and be responsible for payment of the taxes.
- You must apply every year. Applications must be notarized and submitted during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00, beginning February 3rd through May 31, 2025. If your application is not received on or before May 31st, you will not receive a credit until the following year. Our office can notarize the application for you at no charge.
HOW MUCH IS MY TAX CREDIT
- Your credit will be equal to the difference between the residential tax amount on your homestead in the year you turn 62 and any future year. If you are already 62, your initial credit year will be 2024.
- General Obligation Bonds (Debt Service), State Blind Pension Fund, and Special Assessments can’t be frozen. If you are in one of the following Tax Districts and there is an increase in the debt service levy or if a new bond is approved by the voters, your tax bill will increase.
- Orrick School District
- Lawson School District
- Excelsior Springs School District
- Polo School District
- Norborne School District
- City of Richmond
- City of Lawson
- Future tax increases due to new construction/improvements will be added to your initial frozen tax amount for the purpose of calculating your credit. Assessed value increases due to reassessment will not affect your tax bill.
- If at any time your real estate tax decreases, that amount becomes your new frozen amount.
- If you sell your homestead during the year, your tax credit will not transfer to your new homestead. The credit will remain on the property sold until the following application year.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
- DO NOT SUBMIT an application prior to Feb 1st.
- The deadline to apply each year is May 31st. Applications turned in after that date will not receive a credit until the following year.
- Saturday, March 8, 2025 & Saturday, March 29, 2025 – The Collector’s office will be open these additional days from 9:00am-Noon to submit your application.