Apply for the Senior Property Tax Freeze Credit - City of St. Louis

Requirements

Ensure you meet the requirements for the program.

Personal Requirements

• You are age 62 or older as of September 1st of the current year.
• You have obtained at least 40 Social Security retirement benefit credits. Your credits are listed on your social security statement or Benefit Verification Letter.

Residency Requirements

• You are the owner of record or have a legal or equitable interest in your primary residence.
• The residence is located in the City of St. Louis.
• You are liable for the payment of real estate taxes on your primary residence.
• You physically occupy the residence as your personal dwelling for a majority of the year and use it for your legal address.
  • A residence is NOT eligible if you use it for investment or commercial purposes, whether in part or in whole.
• You don't claim more than one primary residence.

Property Requirements

• The total appraised market value of the property from the most recent assessment must be $500,000 or less.
• All property taxes from the previous year are paid. Confirm that your taxes are paid.
• Any property currently receiving the benefit of tax abatement is not eligible for the credit.
• Any property in a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District is not eligible for the credit.

Assemble Information

Acceptable file formats are pdf, png, gif, jpg, jpeg.

1. Prepare to provide one of the following as proof of age:
   • Driver's license
   • Valid passport
   • Birth certificate
   • Military service record
   • Naturalization or immigration record (must show your date of birth)
   • Life insurance policy (at least five years old, must show your date of birth)
   • Your child's birth certificate (must show your age)
   • Marriage record (must show your date of birth)
   • Employment record (at least five years old, must show your age or date of birth)
2. Obtain one of the following documents as proof of social security:
   • Benefit verification letter from the Social Security Administration (must show your name or address)
   • Statement from the Social Security Administration (must show your name or address)
   Learn about social security statements and benefit verification letters.
3. Obtain any two of the following as proof of primary residence:
   • Driver's license
   • Voter registration
   • A utility bill or other piece of mail addressed to you
   • Copy of most recent City, state or federal tax return

Use the Begin Online button to apply. You will:

1. Enter the address of the property in question. This will confirm that the property is in the City of St. Louis and is eligible for the program.
   • If the verification says your property is ineligible due to back taxes, you may be able to qualify if you pay any outstanding balance. Contact the assessor’s office if you have any questions.
2. Fill out the application.
   • Uploading the proof documents is optional, but if you don’t include them in the application, you will be responsible for getting them to the assessor’s office by June 30.
   • To expedite your application process, we recommend that you provide the documents within 30 days and prior to the June 30th deadline.
   • You must provide the documents using the online form, in person, or by mail.

Begin online

2024 is the first year of this program, so some delays are possible.

• The Assessor’s Office will review your application. 
• They expect to reply to completed applications within 60 days. 
• A letter will be sent to your address informing you whether or not you qualify for the program.
• If you do not qualify, the letter will explain why.

See City Ordinance 71758 for more details about the program.

Requirements

Ensure you meet the requirements for the program.

Personal Requirements

• You are age 62 or older as of September 1st of the current year.
• You have obtained at least 40 Social Security retirement benefit credits. Your credits are listed on your social security statement or Benefit Verification Letter.

Residency Requirements

• You are the owner of record or have a legal or equitable interest in your primary residence.
• The residence is located in the City of St. Louis.
• You are liable for the payment of real estate taxes on your primary residence.
• You physically occupy the residence as your personal dwelling for a majority of the year and use it for your legal address.
  • A residence is NOT eligible if you use it for investment or commercial purposes, whether in part or in whole.
• You don't claim more than one primary residence.

Property Requirements

• The total appraised market value of the property from the most recent assessment must be $500,000 or less.
• All property taxes from the previous year are paid. Confirm that your taxes are paid.
• Any property currently receiving the benefit of tax abatement is not eligible for the credit.
• Any property in a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District is not eligible for the credit.

Assemble Information

Acceptable file formats are pdf, png, gif, jpg, jpeg.

1. Prepare to provide one of the following as proof of age:
   • Driver's license
   • Valid passport
   • Birth certificate
   • Military service record
   • Naturalization or immigration record (must show your date of birth)
   • Life insurance policy (at least five years old, must show your date of birth)
   • Your child's birth certificate (must show your age)
   • Marriage record (must show your date of birth)
   • Employment record (at least five years old, must show your age or date of birth)
2. Obtain one of the following documents as proof of social security:
   • Benefit verification letter from the Social Security Administration (must show your name or address)
   • Statement from the Social Security Administration (must show your name or address)
   Learn about social security statements and benefit verification letters.
3. Obtain any two of the following as proof of primary residence:
   • Driver's license
   • Voter registration
   • A utility bill or other piece of mail addressed to you
   • Copy of most recent City, state or federal tax return

We encourage everyone to use the online application, but the paper one is still an option.

1. Download the paper application.
2. Fill it out.
3. Include copies of the necessary documents. 
4. Mail it to this address:
   City of St. Louis Assessor
   Senior Property Tax Freeze Credit
   1200 Market Street, Room 120
   St. Louis, MO 63103

2024 is the first year of this program, so some delays are possible.

• The Assessor’s Office will review your application. 
• They expect to reply to completed applications within 60 days. 
• A letter will be sent to your address informing you whether or not you qualify for the program.
• If you do not qualify, the letter will explain why.

See City Ordinance 71758 for more details about the program.