Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the law requires taxpayers wishing to receive the property tax credit to apply annually in order to establish and then maintain eligibility for the property tax credit on a given taxpayer’s primary residence. If you are filing a renewal application and information is unchanged from the previous year, answer “yes” to the question “I have previously submitted an application…and there are no changes…” Complete the application and sign in the presence of a notary, then submit the application normally. There is no need to include documentation in this case.

The application must be completed by the eligible taxpayer, signed in the presence of a notary, and submitted to the County Clerk’s office along with all required documentation by the deadline currently in effect. Required documentation is listed on the application. Applications and documentation may be submitted in person or by mail to the Greene County Clerk’s Office, 940 N. Boonville Ave. Room 113, Springfield, MO 65802. Taxpayers may also submit applications and documentation electronically to [email protected].

The property tax credit will not be issued as a payment to an eligible taxpayer; rather, the County Clerk’s office will compile a list of taxpayers who meet eligibility criteria from the applications received and transmit that list to the Collector’s office no later than October 15. When applied by the Collector’s office, the credit will appear on an eligible taxpayer’s real estate tax bill as a reduction in the amount of taxes owed.

Upon submission of your application and documentation, your application will be time-stamped for proof of receipt and the complete packet placed on file. The County Clerk’s office is unable to confirm eligibility upon submission, as the complete packet needs to go through an evaluation process to confirm eligibility. Following the process of due diligence, you will be notified whether the application has been accepted. The County Clerk’s office will send a complete list of eligible taxpayers to the Collector’s office no later than October 15.

The following resources are available for locating required information:

1. Parcel Identification Number –
a. listed in the upper right-hand corner of a paid tax receipt as “Account Number” (begins with 88)
b. searchable on the Collector’s website at www.countycollector.com by clicking on “Statements and Receipts” and entering name or address (Collector’s Office is in Room 107, phone 417-868-4036)

2. Social Security Benefit Verification Letter or current Social Security Statement –
Social Security Administration
1570 W. Battlefield Rd., Ste. 100
Springfield, MO 65807
Phone: (800) 772-1213
Website: https://www.ssa.gov/

3. Birth certificate (if necessary) –
a. If born in Missouri, contact any county health department (phone for Springfield-Greene County Health Department is 417-864-1658) or Missouri Bureau of Vital Records (phone is 573-751-6387)
b. If born outside of Missouri, contact the state bureau of vital records for your state of birth

4. Proof of ownership (deed or other written instrument) –
Contact the Greene County Recorder of Deeds in Room 100, phone 417-868-4068

5. Proof of payment of property taxes –
searchable on the Collector’s website at www.countycollector.com by clicking on “Statements and Receipts” and entering name or address (Collector’s Office is in Room 107, phone 417-868-4036)

Yes. For the greatest ease in processing and to avoid a fee of ten cents per copy, it is recommended to make copies of all documentation submitted with the application for verification of eligibility. This will also save you time when you are delivering your application to the office. We do not want to keep original documentation on file, as they are for your personal records.

In 2023, SB 190 was signed into law. The intent of this law is to provide relief to eligible senior taxpayers by allowing them to apply annually for a property tax credit which will effectively freeze their future real estate tax bills at the amount of taxes owed in the year they became eligible. The Greene County Commission passed an order authorizing the implementation of this program for Greene County starting in 2024.

In order to establish eligibility and then receive the property tax credit on future tax bills, eligible taxpayers are required to apply annually. The order currently in effect from the County Commission provides a deadline of September 30 for eligible taxpayers to apply.

The property tax credit application form is a fillable form which is available online at the Tax Administration menu of the County Clerk web page at https://greenecountymo.gov/county_clerk/. 

An eligible taxpayer is a Missouri resident who:
a. is eligible for Social Security retirement benefits;
b. is an owner of record of a homestead or has a legal/equitable interest in such homestead, and
c. is liable for the payment of real estate taxes on such homestead. “Homestead” means real property occupied by an eligible taxpayer as the taxpayer’s primary residence. An eligible taxpayer shall not claim more than one primary residence.