Missouri lawmaker proposes measure freezing property taxes for seniors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A measure is shifting by way of the Missouri legislature geared toward freezing property taxes for seniors aged 65 and older.

Missouri Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville proposed the availability.

“I hear so much from seniors in my district who say, ‘Look, I’m dwelling on a hard and fast earnings and my house is my largest asset, it’s my nest egg, I’ve saved my total life, I’ve paid off my loans on my dwelling after which the federal government is available in and doubles or triples my property tax evaluation in a single evaluation cycle,’” Luetkemeyer stated.

Gail McCann Beatty, Jackson County’s director of evaluation, stated the measure is a homestead exemption and it is one she helps.

“If we are able to get a homestead exemption for our senior residents, I believe that will be fabulous,” Beatty stated. “Our seniors spend 30-40 years of their houses, they get their houses paid off after which they’ve that tax invoice left. A lot of them are on mounted incomes and it’s troublesome for them to pay these payments.”

Luetkemeyer’s measure comes at a time when some folks in Jackson County are involved about a rise in property values.

Beatty stated a 30% enhance is a median throughout the county that extends over a two 12 months interval.

“For those who go and have a look at Johnson County or Wyandotte County who truly reassess yearly, should you add their final two years, we’re proper within the ball park as to the place they have been over that final two years,” Beatty stated.

She added the COVID-19 pandemic’s influence on the housing market is a purpose for the rise in property values.

Beatty’s workplace is making an attempt to coach folks on the evaluation course of with a videoas nicely conferences for folks to be taught extra in regards to the enhance.

The subsequent scheduled assembly date is under:

• Wednesday, April 5, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Mid Continent Public Library, North Independence 317 W 24 Freeway, Independence MO, 64050

Growing prices concern organizatons like The Kansas Metropolis Shepherd’s Middle. The nonprofit serves senior adults.

“They’re being priced out of their dwelling, and proper now that’s a disaster as a result of we don’t have sufficient companies for older adults,” stated Janet Baker, govt director on the Kansas Metropolis Shepherd Middle

Jackson County resident Janie Flynn stated she’s bracing for her tax invoice.

“It’s a must to discover a approach to pay it and luckily everybody every so often, I can dip into one thing for issues like, that however I attempt to not,” Flynn stated.

Luetkemeyer stated his measure may go into impact Aug. 28 if lawmakers approve it and the governor indicators off.

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