Area taxpayers, specifically those that filed for the senior tax credit, were shocked when they received their tax bills last week that the credit they thought they were receiving was not quite what they anticipated, with many experiencing higher tax bills than in 2024.
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Area taxpayers, specifically those that filed for the senior tax credit, were shocked when they received their tax bills last week that the credit they thought they were receiving was not quite what they anticipated, with many experiencing higher tax bills than in 2024.
This is due to a variety of factors, including recent bonds and tax increases from local taxing entities approved by voters.
Warren County Collector Julie Schaumberg said her office has received numerous calls from county residents regarding their tax bills, specifically those that applied for the senior tax credit.
The credit is part of state legislation, first passed in July 2023 as SB 190 and updated in July as SB 756, that allows for senior citizens older than 62 to apply for a property tax credit.
Under the ordinance approved by the Warren County Commission in the summer of 2024, to qualify citizens must be at least 62 years of age, own a home in Warren County that they use as their primary residence and they must be liable for the taxes on that home.
Residents must apply for the credit in person at the county administration building and must produce identification for their property. They will be required to reapply for the credit annually.
An annual application for the credit is required from each eligible taxpayer in order to receive a tax credit for that respective year.
The credit does not apply to state taxes or any additional taxes from bond indebtedness, meaning if a bond issue is passed in Warren County, these levies are not included when calculating any eligible credits.
This is where many residents have seen a significant increase in their tax bills.
In November 2024, voters in the Wright City Fire Protection District approved an $11 million bond for a new fire station and other improvements.
For residents in the Wright City Fire Protection District, this modified their tax levy from .5769 in 2024 to .8239 in 2025, with .3100 of that levy being for debt service, according to figures provided by Schaumberg.
In April, the voters approved Prop L and Prop F for a $10-million bond issue and a 25-cent tax increase for the Warrenton Fire Protection District.
For residents in the Warrenton Fire Protection District, this modified their tax from .4497 in 2024 to .9497 in 2025, with .2500 of that levy being for debt service, according to figures provided by Schaumberg.
In addition, the Wright City R-II School District’s debt service levy increased from .9995 in 2024 to 1.39 in 2025, while Wright City’s debt service levy increased from .1091 to .1489. While the school district’s total levy remained the same from 2024 to 2025 at 4.4487, the increase in the debt service portion of that levy would mean higher taxes for any senior living within the district. Subsequently, while the city’s total levy is reduced from .8648 in 2024 to .8426 in 2025, the increase in the debt service levy also means a higher tax for seniors.
During an interview Thursday, Schaumberg explained that pursuant to state law, and the county’s ordinance, state taxes and debt service obligations are exempt from calculation of the senior tax credit. What this means is those additional tax levies are not covered by the senior tax credit and therefore any increases in those amounts will be reflected in taxpayers’ bills as amounts due and owing from the taxpayer.
In addition, the assessor raised property tax assessments 13 percent across the board this year for all residential properties.
Schaumberg said that approximately 2,800 residents filed for the senior tax credit this year.
Taxes are due Dec. 31, 2025, and the collector’s office will be closed Dec. 24 through Dec. 26. Taxpayers may make payments through the dropbox, phone, or online in addition to paying in person.
New applicants for the senior tax credit can come into the collectors office from March 2026 through June 2026 to have 2025 for the base year of their tax credit calculation.
