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Cole County begins senior tax-freeze applications; collector outlines eligibility and schedule
Summary
The county collector said applications for the senior property tax freeze will be accepted beginning tomorrow; applications will be available on the county website and accepted in person 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on specified days through July 31. Applicants must be at least 62 by Dec. 31, 2024; staff urged patience as the new process is rolled out.
The Cole County Collector's Office will begin accepting applications for the county’s senior property tax freeze starting tomorrow at 10 a.m., Collector Vincent told the commission.
The collector said staff will accept applications in person from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (except holidays) and that the office will accept applications for three months through July 31. The commission was told the application also will be posted to the county website starting tonight at midnight so residents may print and complete it in advance.
Collector Vincent said the county is implementing a new process and asked applicants to be patient as staff works through initial issues. He said the county uses a qualification date tied to the tax freeze year: applicants must have turned 62 on or before Dec. 31, 2024, to qualify for the 2025 freeze. The collector provided a contact phone number for questions: 573-634-9129.
County officials said there is no advantage to applying on the first day; staff described the program as "first in, first out" in principle but clarified that eligibility review will be applied uniformly during the three-month intake, and that those who qualify at any time during the window would receive the freeze effective for 2025 as the base year. A county official cautioned there may be "bumps" as staff smooth the new process.
The commission did not take a separate vote to start the intake beyond discussion and scheduling; the collector indicated staff will manage intake dates and return to the commission if procedural changes are needed.
