Carolyn Mclaren: Assistance available for property tax credit

Discussion

January 13, 2010

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Wed Jan 13, 2010, 11:23 AM CST

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. It is one of my very favorite times of the year. My children come from Dallas, our mother comes from Chanute, we see all our family and friends and in the process eat way too much, but it is all so good.

Now everyone is gone and we're starting a whole new year. Each year I try to be more organized, but it doesn’t always happen. January is here, so now’s the time my husband and I work at putting together everything we will need to file our taxes. Thinking about my personal tax preparation reminded me that during the month of February the Area Agency on Aging will be providing assistance in completing Property Tax Credit application forms. There are qualifications and documentation you will need to file in order to receive the credit, so it’s important to be prepared.

The Property Tax Credit Program is a state program that provides direct refunds to seniors 65 years of age or older, 100 percent to those who are disabled and 100 percent to disabled veterans. Individuals 60 years of age or older receiving surviving spouse benefits for the year are also eligible. The total household income for a single individual must be less than $29,500, and a couple’s total income must be less than $34,000 a year.

Financial guidelines are slightly lower if you have been in your home less than a year.

You do not have to be a homeowner to take advantage of the credit. Renters and residents of assisted living and skilled nursing facilities also qualify.

If you fit the above criteria, you should consider applying for the tax credit which could put a refund of up to $1,100 in your pocket.

Missourians can apply for their refunds any time throughout the year. If you qualified in the past but did not apply, you can still file for the three previous years.

You can get the Property Tax Credit Claim form from the MO Tax Assistance Center at 1110 East 7th St, Joplin, or on line at www.mo.gov/tax/forms. You must have the following in order to submit the Property Tax Credit Claim Form MO-PTC: Proof of all household income (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) and a copy of paid property tax receipt or rent payment receipts.

The form is not difficult to fill out, but if you would like assistance the Area Agency on Aging will have volunteers and staff to help people with obtaining the credit. Anyone interested must have all of their paperwork with them in order to apply for the credit. Appointments will be scheduled beginning the last week in January.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call (417) 781-7562.

Carolyn McLaren is the executive director for the Area Agency on Aging.

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Carolyn Mclaren: Assistance available for property tax credit

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