By Amanda Lubinski
ALubinski@cherryroad.com
CLAY COUNTY — Senior citizens in Clay County will be able to apply for county real estate property tax relief in 2025.
Under the tax relief program, which takes effect Jan. 1, county residents aged 62 or older can apply for relief on their real estate property tax bill if the resident owns or has a legal interest in a residence, claims that property as their primary residence and is responsible for paying the real estate taxes on that property.
“The resident may only claim one home as a primary residence,” reads the county website’s page about the relief program. “The tax relief is not retroactive and all Clay County residents eligible for the tax relief in 2025, and who apply in 2025, will have a base tax year of 2024.”
The amount of tax relief is calculated by subtracting the real estate property tax of the base year from the current year’s real estate property tax, reports the county. The relief program was passed by county commissioners in 2023.
“Participants are required to submit an affidavit every year after the initial application to ensure eligibility is still being met,” reads the county’s website.
There will be four public information sessions on the program in December, where residents can learn more and ask questions before applying. The first session will be 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, at the Clay County Annex, 1901 NE 48 St., Kansas City. Other sessions will be at: 12:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Excelsior Springs Community Center, 500 Tiger Drive; 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at Clay County Annex; and 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Excelsior Springs Community Center. Space is limited for the Excelsior Springs sessions, so seat reservations are required. To make these reservations, call 656-2500, extension 2005.
Applications for the relief program must be submitted by March 31, 2025. In January through March, county staff will be available at a variety of locations around the county to help residents file applications. The first help session will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 24 at Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Road. The Clay County Clerk’s office will also available to assist with applications during regular business hours. To learn more about upcoming help sessions around the county, visit claycountymo.gov.
A complete copy of the tax relief program informational flyer is attached to the online version of this story at MyCourierTribune.com.
