Marina
St. Louis County is working urgently to contact more than 11,000 seniors who filed their property tax freeze applications incorrectly. County officials revealed that thousands of forms submitted for the new senior tax freeze program were missing signatures or required documents, threatening applicants’ eligibility.
With a September 30 deadline to correct these errors, county employees are mobilizing a large-scale outreach effort to ensure seniors do not miss out on the tax benefit.
Scope of the Problem
According to St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page, the Department of Revenue received over 81,000 applications for the senior property tax freeze before the June 30 deadline. However, thousands were found to be either duplicate or incomplete.
| Application Status | Number of Applications |
|---|---|
| Total Submitted | 81,000+ |
| Duplicate Applications | 5,800 |
| Incomplete Applications | 11,800 |
| Complete and Valid | Approx. 63,400 |
The 11,800 incomplete applications are the main focus, as they lack either signatures, proof of eligibility, or other required documentation. If not corrected by the deadline, these applications will be denied, and seniors could lose out on the chance to freeze their property tax assessments.
How the County Is Responding
Officials are using multiple communication methods to reach affected seniors, including:
- Emails and phone calls to the contact information on file
- Postcard mailers going out this week as a final reminder
- Public outreach encouraging family members and friends to assist seniors in checking their status
Dr. Page noted that many older residents are more accustomed to paper mail than digital communications, which is why physical reminders are being prioritized.
The county has also launched a Senior Property Tax Freeze Application Status Search tool on its website. Seniors can type in their name to see:
- If their application was received
- Whether it is complete or incomplete
- What steps are needed to correct missing information
What Seniors Should Do
County officials are urging seniors—and their caregivers—to check application status immediately to avoid missing the September 30 correction deadline.
If an application is incomplete, seniors can:
- Bring missing documents or signatures to a St. Louis County Government Office
- Get in-person help from Department of Revenue staff at designated locations
- Confirm completion online after submitting any corrections
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check status on county website |
| 2 | Gather required documents (proof of age, residency, property ownership, etc.) |
| 3 | Submit missing items to county offices in person |
| 4 | Verify that the application is marked as “Complete” before September 30 |
The county emphasized that only completed applications will be approved for the tax freeze program.
Why It Matters
The senior property tax freeze program is designed to help older residents remain in their homes by locking in their current property tax assessment, preventing future increases due to rising property values.
This relief is especially critical for seniors on fixed incomes who may struggle with growing property tax bills. Missing the deadline could mean losing eligibility until next year, which would delay potential savings for thousands of households.
With more than 11,800 incomplete applications, St. Louis County is in a race against time to help seniors fix their filings before the September 30 deadline.
Officials are expanding outreach through postcards, phone calls, emails, and in-person support to make sure eligible seniors don’t miss this valuable opportunity.
County leaders are urging all residents to check the application status of their senior family members and neighbors right away, ensuring they can benefit from this important property tax freeze program.