Missouri PTC: Stay in the Know

The Missouri Property Tax Credit: Everything You Need To Know

Every year, Missouri sets aside millions of dollars to help certain residents offset the cost of property taxes or rent. This program is called the Missouri Property Tax Credit (often called the “circuit breaker” credit). It is designed for qualifying seniors, disabled individuals, and certain surviving spouses who meet specific income and residency requirements. For those who qualify, the state will send a refund check even if no state income taxes are owed.

The credit can be substantial — up to $1,100 for homeowners and $750 for renters — and the average refund is typically over $600. Despite this, only around one-quarter of eligible residents file a claim each year. That means thousands of households miss out on money that could help with essentials like food, utilities, and medical expenses.

Who Qualifies for the Missouri PTC?
You may qualify if you meet all of the following:

Residency: You were a full-year resident of Missouri.
Property Taxes or Rent: You either paid real estate property taxes on your primary residence or paid rent to a landlord who paid property taxes.
Personal Requirements: You are 65 or older, or 100% disabled (including qualifying veterans), or at least 60 years old and the surviving spouse of someone who met the age requirement.

Income Limits for 2024:

• Homeowners: $30,000 or less (single) or $34,000 or less (married)
• Renters: $27,200 or less (single) or $29,200 or less (married)
  Income includes wages, Social Security, pensions, interest, dividends, and most other sources.

How the Credit Works
The credit reduces the burden of property taxes for homeowners and provides a similar benefit to renters. For renters, the state assumes that part of rent payments covers the landlord’s property taxes. The amount of the credit is based on your income and the amount of rent or property taxes you paid. Those with lower incomes and higher housing costs generally receive larger credits, up to the program maximum.

Filing Process
If you are not required to file a Missouri income tax return, a stand-alone MO-PTC form must be submitted. If you already file a Missouri return, Form MO-PTS may be included with it. You will need:

• Proof of income (SSA-1099s, 1099-Rs, W-2s, etc.)
• Paid real estate tax receipt from your county collector (homeowners)
• Completed MO-CRP form signed by your landlord (renters).       
• Claims can be filed by mail or electronically. E-filing typically results in refunds within about three weeks. Paper filings can take six weeks or longer. The deadline is April 15 each year, and you can file for the past three years if you missed them.

Why Many Miss Out
The main reason so many eligible residents do not claim the credit is lack of awareness. Some do not know the credit exists, while others assume they will not qualify. Missouri has increased income limits and public outreach in recent years, but participation is still low.

If you meet the requirements, filing could put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket. For many households, this is one of the simplest ways to get extra money each year.

How Show Me Refunds Can Help
At Show Me Refunds, we make filing for the Missouri Property Tax Credit easy, stress-free, and accurate. Many people avoid filing because they are unsure which forms they need, how to get landlord or tax collector documentation, or whether they even qualify. That’s where we come in.

We start with a free consultation to confirm your eligibility. From there, we gather the necessary documents, prepare and file your claim, and ensure everything is submitted correctly so you can get your refund as quickly as possible.

For most people, the refund far outweighs the cost of our service — it essentially pays for itself. That means you can turn a process that might have been overwhelming into one that’s handled start-to-finish by a trusted professional, with money in your pocket as the end result.