If you are a homeowner, then during the past week or so you probably received a change of assessment notice from your county assessor informing you of the Assessor’s new assessment of the value of your property. While most people purchase a home with the expectation of it going up in value and, generally, are excited when they find out it has increased in value, this is not one of those occasions. An increase in the Assessor’s opinion of your property value generally results in just one thing…a higher property tax bill.
What can you do if you don’t agree with the property reassessment on your property?
Fortunately, you do have options, including the ability to appeal the property reassessment if you feel it is high. Depending on the county the property is located in, you may even be able to do so by means of an informal conference that can easily be scheduled by phone. However, there are deadlines, so you must act fast. Even if you live in a county that doesn’t offer an informal hearing, or you don’t like the outcome of the informal hearing, you can appeal to the Board of Equalization. Then, if you don’t like the outcome of the Board of Equalization, you can appeal the assessment to the State Tax Commission as well. While this may sound a little overwhelming, the process really is not too bad.
Below are links to a couple of great property reassessment appeal resources that will walk you through the process as well as provide you with helpful phone numbers, links, tools, resources and more:
- Missouri Property Reassessment and Taxation Guide – A booklet published by the Missouri State Tax Commission that is filled with useful information on the property reassessment process in Missouri.
- How to Appeal Your Property Reassessment – This is a comprehensive resource that walks you through the process to appeal a property reassessment in several St Louis area counties.