HOMESTEAD INFORMATION

The County Clerk’s office is happy to assist with filing the Kansas Homestead Claim or the Property Tax Relief Claim (“Safe Senior”) for people who do not file income tax returns. Our office is located on the first floor of the South Annex, 321 E. 10th Avenue, Winfield.

We take appointments for Homestead and Safe Senior assistance beginning after January 1 each year. For an appointment please call 620-221-5494 or 620-441-4594.

Filing dates for 2023 returns are January 1, 2024 through April 15, 2024.

Please note that due to changes in the state law, the “Food Sales Tax Refund” that was available in prior years has been changed to a “Food Sales Tax Rebate”. It is only available to people who file full income tax returns to the State of Kansas, which is not a function of this office.

A homestead claim (K-40H) is for homeowners who own and occupy their homestead and were residents of Kansas all of 2023. This refund program is not available to renters. As an owner your name is on the deed for the homestead. As a resident the entire year and a homeowner, you are eligible if your total household income is $40,500 or less and you: 1) were born before January 1, 1968, or 2) were blind or totally and permanently disabled all of 2023, or 3) have a dependent child who lived with you the entire year who was born before January 1, 2023, and was under the age of 18 all of 2023.

The "SAFE Senior" property tax relief claim (K-40PT) is for homeowners that were 65 years of age or older, with a household income of $23,700 or less, and a resident of Kansas all of 2023.

The property tax relief claim (K-40SVR) is for homeowners that are 65 years of age or older, a disabled veteran or a surviving spouse of a person 65 years of age or older or a disabled veteran with household income of not more than $53,600.

If you owe any delinquent property taxes on your home your homestead refund will be used to pay those delinquent taxes. The Kansas Department of Revenue will send your entire refund to the County Treasurer.

If you moved during 2023, you may claim the general property tax paid for the period of time you lived in each residence. Homeowners who rent out part of their homestead or use a portion of it for business may claim only the general property tax paid for the part in which they live

What information is needed to file?
To better assist you with Homestead or “Safe Senior” filings please bring the following information with you when visiting our office:

Your name, social security number, address, telephone number and date of birth.
Personal information for all other household members, including name, social security number, and date of birth.
Complete information regarding household income (for yourself and any others living with you in 2021) including these examples: taxable & nontaxable wages, salaries, self-employment income, interest, dividends, earned income credit, social security, SSI benefits, disability payments, any retirement benefits, unemployment, alimony, welfare and temporary assistance payments, foster home care payments, gambling winnings, jury duty payments.
If receiving disability, know the amount of disability payment received and the date that the disability began. First-time filers should bring their Social Security Benefit Verification Statement or Schedule DIS form.
Know the amount of 2023 property tax billed, and whether there are any unpaid taxes.
Bring your banking information if you would like to have your refund directly deposited into your bank account. (Bank routing number, bank account number and type of account.)
To save time, please bring all the information required with you.

What is the Homestead Refund Advancement Program?
This program allows eligible homeowners to apply their anticipated Homestead refund to help pay the first half of their property taxes. The advancement is sent directly to the County Treasurer, eliminating the need for the filer to physically deliver a homestead eligibility letter to the County Treasurer.

There is a question on Form K-40H asking the homeowner whether they want their next year’s homestead advancement sent directly to their County Treasurer. If the box was checked on the 2023 K-40H, the 2024 homestead advancement will be sent directly from the Kansas Department of Revenue to the County Treasurer. If you do not check this box, your homestead refund will not be automatically applied to your property tax bill.

PLEASE NOTE that if you checked the advancement box one year, it is absolutely necessary for you to file your homestead claim the following year in order to repay the money that was advanced toward your taxes.

A homeowner may claim either the Property Tax Relief Claim (“Safe Senior”) refund or Homestead, but not both. The Kansas Department of Revenue’s WebFile determines which claim is most beneficial to the filer.