Real Estate Tax Information

Overview

The Real Estate Department collects taxes for each of the approximately 220,000 parcels of property within city limits. Property valuation or assessment is conducted by the Assessor's Office every other year (odd numbered years).

Each November, the Collector of Revenue Office sends a tax notice to all landowners. Taxes are due by December 31st of each year. Taxes that remain unpaid on January 1st are subject to penalty and interest.

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Real Estate Tax Billing

If you have an escrow account set up with your mortgage company, your bill will be sent to your lending agency to be paid through your escrow account.

Real estate tax bills for non-escrowed accounts will be mailed in November.

If you did not receive a tax bill, the Assessor's Office may not have your correct mailing address, or you may have purchased the property after the bills were created and mailed. All bills are available online.

To make address changes, contact the Assessor's Office, City Hall Room 114, or download the address change form from the Assessor's office website and mail it in. A new bill can be sent from the Collector of Revenue once notice is received.

Payment Schedule

Once your bill is received, you can make payments on the bill until it is paid in full. If there is a balance on the account as of January 1, you will be subject to penalty and interest. If prior year taxes are owed, the oldest tax year must be paid first. See payment options and instructions.

Taxes are delinquent after December 31st.

Delinquent Taxes

All real estate taxes are due by December 31st of each year. Delinquent payments are subject to a one time penalty of 2% and interest at 2% per month, up to a maximum of 18% per year as mandated by Missouri State Statutes. Interest will continue to be assessed yearly until the tax amount has been paid in full.

A tax suit is filed when unpaid taxes are delinquent. The tax sale occurs approximately one year after the suit is filed. The bids for the sale start at the amount listed in the legal description of the sale notice.

Tax suits must be paid in full or you may contact 622-4105 to apply for a Redemption Contract.

Tax Exemptions

The Assessor's Office will determine tax-exempt status based on legal factors pertaining to each specific property.

In order to obtain exemption, the owner must present substantial and persuasive evidence demonstrating the property meets the requirements of Article X, Section 6 of the Missouri Constitution and Section 137.100 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.

The use of the property is a determining factor for the decision of tax-exempt status of a property.

Apply For A Property Tax Exemption

Discounts for Seniors or Disabled Individuals

The Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim gives credit to qualified senior citizens and 100 percent disabled individuals for a portion of the real estate taxes or rent they have paid for the year. The credit is for a maximum of $750 for renters and $1,100 for owners who owned and occupied their home. The actual credit is based on the amount of real estate taxes or rent paid and total household income (taxable and nontaxable). For more information, please call (573) 751-3505 or visit the Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim website.