Why haven't I received a Personal Property tax bill?

You are responsible for filling out and turning in an Assessment List at the beginning of each year in the Assessor's Office to receive a tax bill. (If you were not living in Mississippi County on January 1st could be another reason.)

Why am I being taxed for a vehicle I no longer own?

Your tax is based on the vehicles you owned on January 1st of the tax year. Even if you no longer own the vehicles, even if you own different vehicles, even if you now own no vehicles, you still pay based on what you owned on the first day of that particular year.

Why is my tax bill so high?

The amount of tax you owe each year is based on the value of the vehicles you owned on January 1st of each year. The value of the vehicles is established by the County Assessor using a standard rate book. The assessed value of your vehicles can be found in the center portion of your statement.

Why is my bill higher than my friend's bill?

The tax is based on the type of vehicles you own, not on the number of vehicles you own. It is common for a person with one or a more expensive to owe more tax than another person with several less expensive vehicles.

Who pays the tax bill if I get a divorce?

The tax responsibility is shared by both parties to pay the taxes. Neither party can obtain a statement of no taxes due, until the tax liability is paid.

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Real Estate Property Tax Questions and Answers:

Why is the proper name not on my statement?

On real estate tax statements, the person who owned the property January 1st is named. Your name should be listed on next year's statement if properly recorded. If you have purchased real estate prior to October, the tax statement could go to the previous owner, please check with them prior to calling our office if you did not get the statement.

Who is responsible for paying the taxes on property I purchased, am I responsible for interest and penalty should the taxes become delinquent.

The current owner is responsible for paying all taxes due on property. Partial payments are not accepted. If you did not purchase the property until later in the year, the taxes should have been pro-rated and deducted from the selling price at closing or paid to you in cash by the previous owner.

If I have an escrow for my taxes, will I receive a tax bill?

No. The tax bill will be mailed to the lending institution where you have your escrow, providing the lending institution has requested it. Should you receive the tax bill, please forward it to the lending institution. Request a paid copy from your lending institution.

If you have purchased real estate prior to October, the tax statement could go to the previous owner.
Please check with them prior to calling our office if you did not get statement.

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Moving into Mississippi County from another (State):

You have 30 days to obtain Missouri License Plates and a Missouri Drivers License

What is needed to obtain Missouri plates?

You will need the title or registration to the vehicle, proof of insurance, a Missouri State Inspection Certificate, and Tax Wavier for non assessment clearance from the Assessor's Office.

Where do I pay sales tax on my new vehicle?

You pay sales tax at any license bureau in the state of Missouri.

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Moving into Mississippi County from another (County):

What is required to license my vehicles in Mississippi County?

You will need the title or registration to the vehicle, proof of insurance, a Missouri State Inspection Certificate, and a copy of the tax receipt showing paid taxes from the county where you were a resident on January 1st of the previous year.

What is required to be put on the tax rolls of Mississippi County?

If you are a resident, or have moved, you need to contact the Mississippi County Assessor's Office so that  an assessment sheet may be mailed to you. You must request this sheet before March 1st to avoid a late penalty. (573) 683-2146  County Assessor

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First Time Owner of Vehicle:(Tax Wavier)

You will need the title or registration to the vehicle, proof of insurance, a Missouri State Inspection Certificate, and Tax Wavier for non assessment clearance from the Mississippi County Assessor's Office. (573) 683-2146

Moving out of Mississippi County, do I still owe?

Yes. By state law, your tax obligation is established on January 1st. Even if you move to a different state the next day, you are still taxable for the year. Unfortunately, the law makes no provision for pro-rating the tax bill.

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Who is a Merchant?

Missouri Law, 150.010 RSMo 1994,  indicates that every person, corporation, copartner ship or association of persons, who deals in selling goods, wares and merchandise at any store, stand or place occupied for that purpose, is a merchant.

Do I need a Mississippi County Merchant's License for my Business?
Yes! If you answer yes to all the items in the checklist below:
 

•         You own or operate a business:
•          The business is located in Mississippi County either within or outside the city limits of any incorporated area
•          There is a sales tax number issued to the business by the Missouri Department of Revenue:
•          Product or merchandise is sold at retail:
•         You collect and remit sales tax to the Missouri Department of Revenue.
•         If your business is within the City limits you should also check with them for their licensing requirements

How do I obtain a Merchant's License?

Call the Mississippi County Collector's  Office at (573)683-2146, Ext: 231 & 232.  They will be happy to answer your questions and send you an application. Or, if you prefer, come by the office and we will help you through the process.

After you complete the application, attach a business or personal check for $25.00 and return it to the Collector's Office.

Your state sales tax number must be included on the application. If you need more information regarding state sales taxes, please contact the Missouri Department of Revenue in Jefferson City (573)-751-5860.

Your validated license will be mailed to you at the address included on the application.

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• The tax sale is held annually on the fourth Monday in August commencing at 10:00 a.m. at the entrance of the   Mississippi County Courthouse.
• Real Estate property is sold at public auction when property taxes are delinquent and remain unpaid for one year and      eight months.
• Delinquent taxes with penalty, interest and costs may be paid to the county collector at any time before the property is      sold.
• The list of properties subject to sale is published in a local newspaper for three consecutive weeks prior to the tax sale.
• Non-residents of Missouri may not bid unless special arrangements have been made with the collector prior to tax sale.
• The sale is conducted by the collector. Bidding begins for the amount of taxes, penalties and sales costs.
• Buyers must be present to bid. Each parcel offered for sale is individually identified by brief legal description.
• The purchaser receives a sale sheet identifying the parcel and bid price at the auction. The total purchase price must be    paid to the collector's office immediately at the close of the sale. Cashier's check, personal check, bank draft, and cash     are accepted.
• If the bid is not paid, a penalty of 25% of the bid amount plus a prosecuting attorney's fee, can be assessed against the   bidder.
• The collector issues a Certificate of Purchase to the Purchaser. The Certificate of Purchase is retained for two years or     until the property is redeemed.

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Property sold for delinquent taxes may be redeemed within two years from the issuance of a Certificate as follows:
 

• Please advise the collector's office at least 24 hours prior to the date you will be redeeming. We recommend scheduling an appointment and allowing twenty minutes to process.
• Pay the collector the amount of the Certificate of Purchase plus 10% annual interest:
• Pay the collector the amount of subsequent years' taxes paid plus 8% annual interest: and
• Pay collector a redemption charge of twenty-five cents.
• Property may be redeemed by the owner of record, or on the owner's behalf. Any tax sale bid amount which resulted in  a surplus amount above the delinquent taxes and sales costs paid by the Certificate of Purchase holder is available for the owner of record. If undisputed, the surplus amount may be obtained from the Mississippi County Treasurer. Disputed claims are determined at a public hearing before the Mississippi County Commission.
• The collector's office will notify the Certificate of Purchase holder when the property has been redeemed. The Certificate  of Purchase must be surrendered to the collector before the holder will be reimbursed the bid amount plus interest. The   collector will deliver a county check to the Certificate of Purchase holder for the redeemed amount less the twenty-five  cents redemption fee.

If the property has not been redeemed during the two year redemption period, the holder of the Certificate of Purchase may
apply for and receive a Collector's Deed to the property. A collector's Deed can be issued to the Certificate of Purchase holder
provided the following has occurred:

   The legal holder of the Certificate of Purchase is named as the original tax sale purchaser or the assignee on the original
Certificate of Purchase:
 

• A lien search on the property has been made by the purchaser and verification furnished to the Collector:
• At least ninety days before requesting a Collector's Deed, the Certificate of Purchase   holder has notified any person who holds a publicly recorded deed of trust, mortgage, lease, lien, or claim upon that real estate of their right to redeem    such person's publicly recorded security or claim by certified mail and verification of such mailing furnished to the      collector:
• If the search revealed no lien holders, the Certificate of Purchase holder has notified the collector by affidavit that no      publicly recorded deed of trust, mortgage, lease, lien, or claim exists:
• At least ninety days prior to requesting a Collector's Deed, the Certificate of Purchase holder has notified the publicly      recorded at the last known available address. Notification must have been by certified mail, stating the purchaser's intent to obtain a Collector's Deed:
• The Certificate of Purchase has been surrendered to the collector; and Appropriate fees have been paid to the collector   including recording and collection fees.

     Failure of the purchaser to obtain a Collector's Deed within four years from the date on the Certificate of Purchase results
     in the loss of the purchaser's lien on the property.

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