Assessments on existing homes not likely to change this year

County officials are scheduled to update assessments over the next few months, a process that happens every other year and often results in higher real estate taxes.

But at least two county assessors are saying little will change this year for most homeowners.

Larry White, who has been Perry County assessor for 24 years, said he is confident that "anything assessed in the last two years would be the same, unless they added a structure or there was some change to the existing structure."

He said the most frequent question he hears is, "Are you going to lower assessments?"

"And the answer is no, we're not," he said. "We can't predict what the future's going to be for 2009 and 2010. If we lowered assessments, we're predicting," he said.

Assessments are calculated based on several factors, including recent sales and, in the case of new construction, building costs, he said.

"It appears there's not going to be any major changes," said Jerry Reynolds, Cape Girardeau County assessor. Some property owners may see an increase while overall most may not, he said. Specifics won't be known until mid-May, when the assessments are finalized.

Assessments are intended to reflect what a house would sell for, he said, and a percentage of that figure is multiplied by the tax rate.

"It used to be 33.3, across the board," Reynolds said. "That changed in the early '80s. Now we have three assessment figures: 32 percent for commercial and industrial properties, 19 percent for homes and 12 percent for agriculture."

A house with an assessed valuation of $100,000 would be taxed at $19,000, which is multiplied by the existing tax rates charged by a county, its schools, libraries and special road districts. The result is converted to the dollar amount listed on the property tax bill.

People who are unhappy with their assessments should visit their county assessor's office, White said.

"And if they're not satisfied, they go to the county board of equalization meeting in July. If they're not satisfied with that answer, the matter can be brought before the Missouri State Tax Commission for a review, and then it goes to circuit court" if the property owner wants to.

Randy Turley, chief counsel for the Missouri State Tax Commission, said county equalization boards can meet as early as July 1. Otherwise, first-class county boards must meet on the first Monday in July; smaller county boards meet on the third Monday in July.

Missouri State Tax Commission appeal forms are online at www.stc.mo.gov/forms_legal.htm.

Scott County Assessor Teresa M. Houchin was unavailable for comment Tuesday.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent addresses:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO

204 High Street, Marble Hill, MO

321 N. Main St., Perryville, MO

131 S. Winchester St., Benton, MO

301 West High St., Jefferson City, MO.