For Immediate Release
Date: June 13, 2005
Contact: Maura Browning
Phone: (573) 751-8222

Changes to Homestead Preservation Act add to number of eligible applicants

        JEFFERSON CITY – When Governor Matt Blunt signed House Bill 186 into law, he affected changes to the Homestead Preservation Act that granted eligibility to more senior citizens and disabled persons across the state.

         Administered by the Missouri Department of Revenue, the Homestead Preservation Act allows qualified senior citizens and disabled individuals to apply for a credit on their real estate property tax.  Changes in House Bill 186 expand the eligibility requirements in two ways:
        · Property held in a trust is now eligible, and
        · If property was improved to accommodate a disabled person AND the assessed value increased by more than 5 percent, the property is now eligible.

        Other eligibility requirements remain unchanged and are listed below.
        · Single taxpayers: Must be age 65 or older or be 100 percent disabled and have a federal adjusted gross income of less than $70,000.
        · Married taxpayers: One spouse must be age 65 or older and the other spouse must be 60 years or older, or one spouse must be 100 percent disabled.  Married taxpayers combined may not exceed $70,000 in federal adjusted gross income.

        The applicant’s county assessor must complete portions of the application (Form HPC).  Application forms are available in county assessor offices and all license offices and on the department’s website at www.dor.mo.gov/tax/personal/individual/forms/2005/ in a printable and fillable version.  The application must be postmarked by September 30, 2005.  Applicants may contact (573) 751-3505 or e-mail homestead@dor.mo.gov with any additional questions.