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Frequently Asked Questions


Real Property

Current tax year Maps and ArcGIS data of Platte County can be purchased through the Assessor's office in Platte City, or accessed online through the GIS Portal.

The assessed value of your property is used to determine your portion of real estate taxes paid to support local school and government services. It is important to you and to our office that your assessed valuation is accurate.

The amount of real estate taxes paid in Platte County is determined by tax levies set by local taxing authorities such as school, fire, library, hospital, and road districts, along with city and county taxing authorities. This is why it is important to be aware of any proposed changes in spending by your local schools or governments.

Over time market value often changes even if no improvements are made to the property. Many people sell their homes for much more than they paid for them years earlier with no more than basic maintenance on the property. Missouri Statutes require that property be periodically reassessed to maintain realistic market values and treat all taxpayers fairly.

If you disagree with your property's valuation during any tax year, you may appeal by following these steps:

1. Informal Hearings: call or meet with an Appraiser prior to June 1. Please be prepared with documentation as evidence of the value you believe to be accurate, including information such as pictures, a recent sale of your property, or an appraisal of your property.

2. Board of Equalization: if you disagree with the Appraiser, you can appeal to the Platte County Board of Equalization (BOE). Appeal forms are available at the Assessor's Office and must be completed and returned to the Assessor's Office BEFORE the third Monday in June. The BOE will hear your evidence of property value during a scheduled hearing in July.

3. State Tax Commission: You have the right to appeal to the State Tax Commission by September 30 or within 30 days after the Board of Equalization makes a final decision on your appeal, whichever date is later.

A tax levy is a number determined by a taxing authority such as a school district used in calculating, from the assessed value, the amount owed to that taxing authority for that tax year. As government services and costs increase, levies and taxes have to be raised to pay for these services.

Assessment is the process of placing a value on property for the purpose of property taxation. Real property is reassessed every odd year to ensure that the taxpayer is being taxed fairly, and is taxed the same as other comparable property.

Market value is the price a willing buyer will pay a willing seller for property in its present condition. This process is continual due to ever-changing market conditions.

Real property includes land, improvements to the land and all rights inherent in ownership. When you receive an assessment notice or tax bill for your house, you will notice that land and improvements are listed separately. Improvements consist of any buildings located on that land (e.g. your house). This has nothing to do with improvements (e.g. rehabilitation, renovation or repairs) you have or have not made to your property.

Missouri Revised Statute 137.115 requires that the Assessor reassess all real property every two years on January 1, in the odd numbered year. Real property is assessed into three categories with separate rates and is calculated as a percentage of market value. Assessed values are carried forward to the even numbered years except for new construction and property improvements. 

Real Property% of Market Value
Residential
19%
Commercial
32%
Agricultural
12%


As an example, a residence with a market value of $50,000 would be assessed at 19% which would place its assessed value at $9,500.

The Platte County Collector mails tax bills each November. Real estate property tax must be paid by December 31 to avoid late payment fees. If you have questions about your property tax bill, please contact the Platte County Collector's Office at (816) 858-3356.

If the Assessor proposes to increase the assessment of real property, the assessor shall, on or before the fifteenth day of June, provide a notice of the projected increase to the person owning the affected property. The notice will be sent by US Postal Service mail to the last known address of the property owner.

All values are likely to change, but not all will change to the same extent. Market values increase more in some neighborhoods than in others. A major purpose of reassessment is to make sure that the new values reflect all changes that have occurred.