TOPEKA
Across the United States, property taxes are a primary source of funding for local services as public schools, infrastructure, emergency services and community programs. While these services benefit communities, senior citizens and disabled veterans often argue that their income does not rise at the same pace as property taxes.
To address these concerns, many states offer relief programs for seniors including Kansas.
During the Legislative Session in 2021 a bill was passed and signed into law for property tax relief. This bill addresses property tax relief claims for senior citizens and disabled veterans.
The rebate to you will be the difference between the 2021 real estate tax amount and the real estate tax amount as of the year you are applying for the rebate.
A household adjusted gross income is also considered in this bill. A cost-of-living adjustment is made to the household income limitation each year. For the calendar year 2025 your Adjusted Gross Income (KAGI) was $58,041 or less. Social Security benefits are subtracted from KAGI income limit. To qualify you must live in your home for the entire year you are requesting reimbursement and your house must be valued at $350,000 or less in the year you first qualify.
A RECAP TO QUALIFY:•
• AGE/VETERAN STATUS: 65 YEARS OR OLDER FOR ALL THE YEARS YOU APPLY (BORN BEFORE JAN. 1, 1961) OR DISABLED VETERAN.
• YOU OWN AND HAVE LIVED IN YOUR HOUSE IN KANSAS FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR OF THE YEAR YOU ARE APPLYING FOR.
• YOUR HOME WAS VALUED AT $350,000 OR LESS IN THE YEAR YOU QUALIFIED.
• YOUR TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR THE YEAR 2025 WAS $58,041 (AND MAY CHANGE ANNUALLY) OR LESS WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY SOCIAL SECURITY YOU MAY BE RECEIVING.
TO OBTAIN A PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FORM K-40SVR IT MAY BE DOWNLOADED FROM HTTPS://WWW.KSREVENUE.GOV/PDF/K-40SVR25.PDF OR CALL KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE FOR ASSISTANCE 785-368-8222.
This last week Ways and Means completed the budget which has been sent to the printers. Over the next two weeks, both the House and the Senate will present and debate their budgets on their respective floors.
The “Unaffordable” Care Act, known as Obamacare, continues to make private health insurance extremely expensive for individuals.
Many Americans turn to health care sharing ministry plans, which are considerably less expensive by making access health care more affordable. SB 368 passed the Senate and furthers the objective as it creates the Health Care Sharing Ministries Tax Deduction Act to provide a subtraction modification for qualified health care expenses.
I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785-296-7399 or my cell number is 785-899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.