Wichita City Council members voted unanimously to approve a property tax relief program for low-income seniors for 2024.

City finance director Mark Manning said with reappraisals in the past year, property tax increases will be an average of 7.6 percent.   The City Council called for a relief program during their budget discussions last summer, and staff presented the details of the program at Tuesday’s Council meeting.

Manning said the program is designed to be simple for people to apply for.  Residents who apply for the tax relief will need to be participants in one of three state income tax programs that offer credit for property taxes paid:

• Selective Assistance for Effective Senior Relief (SAFE SR) program – This program uses the State form K-40PT and offers a state credit for property taxes paid on homes valued at less than $350,000 for those over age 65 with taxable income of less than $22,000.
• Property Tax Relief for Seniors and Disabled Veterans – This program uses the State form K40SVR and offers a state credit for any increase in property taxes over the 2022 base year, for seniors or disabled veterans with taxable income less than $50,000.
• Kansas Homestead Claim – This program uses the State form K-40H and offers a state credit for property taxes paid on homes valued at less than $350,000 for those over age 55, or disabled veterans, or with dependent children and with taxable income of less than $37,750.

Manning said if people qualify for one of these programs, they will qualify for the city’s relief program.   He said applicants will need to provide a copy of their state income tax return and fill out a form to verify their address.  He estimated that as many as 800 low income seniors could be eligible for the program, with an average credit of $415 per filer. He said there could be another 4,000 taxpayers that would qualify for a smaller refund of around $75.

The city has allocated $660,000, and it will be in effect through November 30th or until the funding is exhausted.  Mayor Brandon Whipple said low-income seniors who qualify for the city and state programs would be able to live property tax free in Wichita.