Commissioner Joanne Lawson announced that Clay County will open the application and renewal period for its senior real estate property tax relief program on Jan. 1, running through March 31. "This will be the only opportunity to apply or renew for the program next year," Lawson said, urging eligible residents to act during the window.

The program is available to Clay County residents who are 62 years of age or older — or who will turn 62 during the year they apply — and who own their home or hold a legal vested interest in it and are responsible for paying the property tax. The relief applies only to a primary residence with a fully established tax year. If a home is held in a trust, Lawson said, one of the listed trustees must complete an affidavit before the county will accept and process the application.

Applicants may apply in person starting Jan. 1, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Clay County Administration Building in Liberty or the Clay County Annex in Gladstone, or download the application and renewal affidavit from the county website. Mailed applications must be postmarked by March 31; applications postmarked after that date will be denied, Lawson said.

County staff will need time to process applications before preparing new tax bills. Lawson said applicants can check their status online later in the year or will receive an email confirming approval or denial and any next steps if there are issues. She emphasized the relief is tied to the property, not the person: "If you sell your house, that's it. The tax relief doesn't travel with you." Residents who move will need to reapply during the next open period for their new residence.

Households with two eligible spouses should list both on the application; both must be on the title to apply. If a spouse becomes eligible later, they may be added in that year. If the only listed applicant dies, the surviving spouse must reapply and the new application year becomes the surviving spouse’s base year for future tax calculations.

Lawson stressed that renewals are required every year to remain in the program. "You must renew every year to stay in the program," she said, warning that skipping a renewal year removes a household from the program and requires reapplication during the next open period.

For more information or assistance, residents were directed to claycountymo.gov or to contact county offices during normal business hours.