Making the most of property assessors offices - Missouri will require the office to assess the market value of a property. This value is then multiplied by the tax rate to determine the actual tax that the owner must pay on the property each year. Property tax rates may be set by organizations such as cities, counties or school districts.

Property assessors offices use factors like location and size to make Missouri property assessments. This assessment is usually accurate and requires a property value appeal only on rare occasions. There are three things you need to do when evaluating the property value as determined by the assessor’s office:

1. Obtain the information the assessor uses to make the Missouri property valuation. You should already know the size and location of the property, but the assessor also will be able to provide the value of other properties in your area.
2. Get a professional appraisal so you may compare it to the property value by the Missouri assessor.
3. Appeal the assessor’s valuation of your property if needed. Missouri assessors have a specific procedure for accomplishing this.

Action Steps
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Learn more about the laws regarding Missouri property tax records

Each state has laws that provide guidelines on the way that property values are be assessed. There may also be laws that specify what property tax information is publicly available.

I recommend: The Missouri State Tax Commission provides a summary of property tax laws in Missouri. The Missouri State Assessors Association provides extensive information on Missouri property taxes.

Find out how professional appraisers determine a Missouri property value

Appraisers may use different methods to estimate the value of your property. You will want to ensure the professional appraiser considers the same factors as the property assessor.

I recommend: Bader & Associates provides an overview of its appraisal process and answers specific questions on property appraisals. The MAC Appraisal Company serves mid-Missouri and offers a FAQ on property appraisals.

Learn how your county performs a Missouri property assessment

Many counties have online resources available to help you with your property tax assessment. You should be able to locate this information on your county's website, in addition to other information regarding property taxes.

I recommend: The Boone County Tax Assessor offers a discussion on property assessments and reassessments in Boone County. The Buchanan County Assessors Office provides an overview of the property assessment process and the procedure for appealing an assessment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your Missouri assessors to see if you qualify for any exemptions on your property assessment. Exemptions may be recognized for disabled veterans, senior citizens or non-profit organizations. File any appeals to your current tax assessment before the tax deadline. It will be more difficult to obtain a favorable ruling on an appeal after the deadline.

Property assessors' offices in Missouri are handled by state's individual counties. More than 2,500 municipality governments rely on property taxes to operate. Taxes are determined by the assessed value of your property and the total of the tax rates set by local government, plus the state tax rate which is 3 cents per $100.

A Missouri property assessment will cause your property taxes to go up or down depending on the true market value placed on your property. It's based on the exterior of your property, so if you've done improvements, you can expect it to increase. Missouri county assessors' records allow you to:

1. Research properties using Missouri property tax records to determine true market value.

2. Determine if a Missouri property assessment is fair based on values of similar properties.

3. Track market trends by comparing similar properties.

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Know the law regarding Missouri property assessments

As you look into investment property in the state of Missouri, you may come across different terms or policies that you're unfamiliar with. It's important that you know the law so you can determine if a Missouri property tax is unfair.

I recommend: Buchanan County: Assessor's Office is one of many Missouri counties that explain how home values are determined. Bankrate.com is a great place to find basic information about Missouri personal property tax; just click on the "Property" tab for more information. The State of Missouri State Tax Commission explains how to appeal an assessment you think is unfair.

Use online tools to obtain records on Missouri land values

It's relatively easy to search online records through property assessors' offices in Missouri. There are several options because Missouri property tax records are public information.

I recommend: Skipease is a free service, linking you to a state wide list of assessors and their specific county records. Searchsystems.net’s DirectPass tool links you to information about Missouri county assessors for only $5 a month.

Get specific property tax figures based on another property assessment in Missouri

If you're considering an investment property that's similar to others in the neighborhood, it's safe to assume that Missouri assessors will assess your property at an amount comparable to what your neighbors pay.

I recommend: Saint Louis County, Jefferson County and City of St. Louis have online databases on their county assessor websites. Simply type in as much information as you have on the property in question to get comparable values. Other counties require you to contact the assessor directly and request information. Use Assessor Links USA to contact other Missouri assessors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some Missouri assessors may not get around to assessing every property every year. It's important to pay attention to the assessment process so you're not caught off guard by a sharp increase after several years of no valuations.
• •  Missouri property assessors provide other valuable information to the investor including ownership change information, property descriptions and market trend analysis on sales property prices.

Property assessors offices in Missouri education and training will teach you how to appraise personal and real and personal property in order to estimate its fair market value. Property assessors may also assess property for the purpose of setting a Missouri property tax in accordance with a prescribed schedule.

The requirements needed to work in property assessors offices for Missouri are complex and vary by the type and value of the property being appraised. Generally, these requirements may be grouped in the following categories:

1. Education. While there are no formal degree requirements for Missouri assessors, most practicing assessors have at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in economics, finance or real estate. However, the specific courses that a property assessor needs are usually taken at a community college or professional assessor organization.

2. On-the-job training. This is required to obtain a license or certification and should be acquired in the office of an independent fee appraiser, if possible.

3. Licensure. Federal law requires that property appraisers have a state-issued license if they will be involved in transactions requiring a federal loan of $250,000 or more.

Action Steps
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Complete the courses needed to perform a Missouri property valuation

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students to assess Missouri property values. These institutions should update their curriculum frequently to reflect changes in the state's educational requirements for property appraisers.

I recommend: Bobbitt and Company offers real estate appraisal courses that are approved by the Missouri Real Estate Appraisers Commission. St. Loius Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Real Estate that meets the educational requirements for appraisers in Missouri.

Get on-the-job training for Missouri property assessment

Job training for property appraisers in Missouri has specific requirements, as laid out by the Missouri Real Estate Appraisers Board. These requirements stipulate the length of time the training must take, the way in which the mentor must monitor the process, and the type of experience the trainee must acquire.

I recommend: Division 2245, Chapter 3 of the Missouri Code of State Regulations specifies the training requirements for property appraisers in Missouri. The Missouri Division of Professional Regulation provides the forms required for documenting an appraiser trainee's work experience.

Become licensed to perform Missouri home assessments

Missouri recognizes three categories of appraisers. State Licensed appraisers can perform residential appraisals with a value less than $1,000,000. A certified residential appraiser may only appraise residential property, and a certified general appraiser can appraise all types of property.

I recommend: Chapter 339 of the Missouri Revised Statutes provides the complete license requirements for Missouri appraisers. Justia US Laws provides the complete definition of each class of appraiser in Missouri.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Missouri county assessors must meet the minimum certification and licensing requirements established by the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) of the Appraisal Foundation. However, many states have more stringent licensing requirements than those required by the AQB. For example, a state may require an appraisal license for all appraisers regardless of the transaction value of the property.

Missouri property assessors offices laws and regulations deal with the property taxes that derive from the estimated value of real property. Property assessors in the United States routinely assess property according to the fair market standard, although there are other standards, such as the distressed value and the foreclosure value. All federally regulated institutions must perform property appraisals with a licensed appraiser and Missouri generally requires licensed appraisers for all appraisals. Missouri property laws also specify the conditions under which a property owner may qualify for a homestead exemption or other property tax exemption.

You can find Missouri property assessment laws in a variety of locations. These sources may be classified according to the types of laws they cover and include the three following categories:

1. The Missouri state government. These sources provide laws and other information on Missouri assessors that apply to the entire state.
2. County and municipal governments in Missouri. Each jurisdiction has its own procedures for implementing laws on property assessments.
3. Law firms that practice property law. Law firms in Missouri frequently offer information for resolving disputes on property taxes.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Examine the laws that control Missouri home assessments

The state government of Missouri will have specific laws for property tax assessors. Private organizations also provide summaries and general information on property tax assessor laws in Missouri.

I recommend: Chapter 53 of the Missouri Revised Statutes published by the Missouri General Assembly describes the legal duties of county assessors in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides an overview of the property tax credits that Missouri law allows.

Study the procedures for accessing Missouri property assessments in a particular jurisdiction

Local governments have specific procedures for property assessments and also may offer a Missouri property tax search. A complete list of Missouri property tax records may also be available.

I recommend: The Boone County Assessor's Office offers an overview of the Homestead Preservation Act, which provides property tax relief for senior citizens in Missouri. The Camden County Assessor summarizes the duties of the assessor as required by Missouri law.

Review laws on Missouri property assessment from law firms

Missouri lawyers who specialize in property law frequently offer summaries on property assessments and property taxes in Missouri. They also may write articles on specific issues regarding property taxes in Missouri.

I recommend: The Law Office of Todd Miller provides a detailed description of property assessment law in Missouri. The Law Office of Cathy Steele has a summary of property assessment laws in Missouri.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The quality of Missouri property assessment is controlled by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). It was developed in the 1980s in response to the savings and loan crisis that was occurring in the United States at that time. The Appraiser Foundation (TAF) is the current administrator of the USPAP.