Disaster Relief property tax credit

How it works

St. Louis County says homestead and non-homestead property may qualify for tax relief after a fire or natural disaster if a structure has sustained damage of at least 50% in value. The assessor compares the property’s reassessed value after the disaster to the estimated market value from the current year’s assessment before the disaster occurred. If the reassessed value is 50% or less of the pre-disaster estimated market value, the structure may qualify for tax relief.

What the relief covers

This is a property tax credit, not a rebuilding grant or insurance payment. It is based on the reduction in assessed value caused by the disaster.

Amounts and timing

The program allows for a maximum of 12 months of property tax credit. The credit applies only to the full calendar months when the property is not usable.

How to apply

Property owners should notify the assessor when the disaster occurs and apply for the credit when they begin reusing the property. The county advises owners to visually inspect the property, make notes of the damage, document it with photographs whenever possible, and keep copies of contractor repair estimates. If the assessor has not already reassessed the property, the owner should contact the county assessor’s office and ask for an assessor view of the damage before reconstruction or repairs begin.

Timing and deadlines

The page does not list a fixed application deadline. Instead, it ties the process to the timing of the disaster, the assessor’s reassessment, and the point when the owner begins reuse of the property.