This includes automobiles, motorcycles, boats, trailers, mobile homes, airplanes, livestock, farm machinery, office equipment, etc.  Each year in January, the Assessor mails a list to be completed by county residents.  From the information provided by you, the tax bill is generated.  The assessed values are determined by the Assessor’s office.

 WHO SHOULD RECEIVE A PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX BILL?

Any person who resides in Crawford County on the 1^st day of the year and owns any tangible personal property made taxable by the laws of the State of Missouri must pay a personal property tax bill for that year.

 WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY TAX BILL(S)?

Tax statements are printed and mailed by the Collector’s office upon receipt of the real estate and personal property tax books from the County Clerk.  Tax books for the 2007 and 2008 tax years were not received by the date specified in the following state statute, and therefore delayed mailing tax statements until November.  Receiving tax books by the specified date would enable our office to mail tax statements in October.

 Missouri Revised Statute 137.392

On or before October thirty-first of each year, the county clerk shall deliver the real estate and personal property tax books, with the taxes correctly extended thereon, to the county collector EXCEPT that in counties in which the county clerk does not prepare the real estate and tangible personal property tax bills, the books shall be returned to the county collector on or before September fifteenth of each year.  The time may, for good cause shown, be extended by the county commission for a period not to exceed ten days after September fifteenth.

WHAT IF I DO NOT RECEIVE A TAX BILL?

If taxpayer has not received a tax bill by November 30^th, contact our office immediately.

 I DID NOT RECEIVE MY TAX BILL, WHY SHOULD I PAY LATE FEES?

According to state law, failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the taxpayer of his obligation to pay the taxes when due.  Tax statements are mailed each year to the last known address on the Assessor’s books.  It is very important for you to notify the Assessor when you move.  Also, forwarding orders expire with the post office and your tax bills may not reach you.  If you have not received your tax statement by November 30^th, contact our office immediately.

 HOW MUCH ARE MY TAXES?

Personal property taxes are made up of two components: (1) ASSESSED VALUE x (2) RATE = AMOUNT OF TAX.  The ASSESSED VALUE, as determined by the County Assessor, is based upon a percentage of the market value of your property.  THE RATE per $100 of assessed value is determined by the location of your residence or business.

 MY TAXES ARE HIGHER THIS YEAR.  WHY?

Usually the first thing to do is compare the itemized vehicles or assessed valuation.  If you bought a new car, chances are it is worth more than your old car, which will affect your tax as well.  Voter approved levy increases will also affect your tax amount.

 I NO LONGER OWN A VEHICLE ON THE TAX BILL OR I BOUGHT A NEW ONE.  WHY SHOULD I STILL PAY TAXES ON THE OLD ONE?

People buy and sell automobiles so frequently; the state law requires you to pay taxes only on the vehicles you owned on January 1.  When you renew your license plates, the purchase date of the automobile will indicate whether or not it is to be itemized on that tax bill.  You must still provide a paid receipt for what you did own on January 1.

WHY IS MY BILL HIGHER THAN MY FRIENDS’—THEY OWN MORE VEHICLES?

The tax is based on the value, not the number of vehicles.   Your car may be newer and more valuable than the total of all of theirs.

 WHY DO I PAY THE SAME TAX ON BOTH REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY?

The simplest way to explain this is to compare it to sales tax.  If you buy a pair of shoes and a shirt, you pay sales tax on each item.  You pay school tax on your automobiles and you pay school tax on real estate (home).

TAX RATES BY LOCATION

The TAX RATE is established initially by a vote of the residents within the boundaries of the taxing subdivision.  Property tax rates are monitored and approved annually by the State Auditor.  An example of some of these subdivisions would include public schools, fire, and ambulance districts and also some incorporated areas.  A current list of tax rates is available upon request.

 WHY SHOULD I PAY SCHOOL TAX WHEN I DON’T HAVE ANY KIDS IN SCHOOL?

In order to fund a public school system, everyone contributes.  If only those who had students in school paid a fee, we would have private schools.

HOW CAN TAXES BE PAID?

After discussion with Linda Branson-Collector, a unanimous decision was made on April 9, 2007 by the Crawford County Commission to not accept partial payments.  Pay in person, at drop box outside office, by phone with debit/credit card (a 3.9% fee will apply), or mail (postmark honored).  We accept payments by Cash, Check, Money Order, Cashier’s Check, Credit or Debit Cards (a 3.9% fee, charged by processing company, is added for credit or debit card payments.  Collector’s office/County does not retain any of the credit card fees).  If paying by check, include one of the following for the person signing the check:

1.       Driver’s license number and date of birth

2.       Social security number and date of birth

3.       Non-driver’s license number and date of birth

 WHAT DO I DO IF MY MAILING ADDRESS CHANGES?

If you move during the year or your mailing address changes, you must notify the Assessor’s office at 573-775-2065.  Failure to receive a tax statement does not relieve taxpayer of the obligation to pay taxes by December 31^st.  You must keep your contact information current with the Assessor’s office or you will be responsible for paying interest and penalties accrued after December 31^st.

 NEW RESIDENTS

New residents to Crawford County must contact the Assessor’s office at 573-775-2065 to ensure receipt of a Personal Property Assessment List.

IMPORTANT DATES

Tax bills are mailed as a convenience to taxpayers in October/November (see RSMo 137.392 above) and are delinquent after December 31^st.  Payments postmarked by December 31^st are considered paid on time.  Payments postmarked after December 31^st will be returned for interest and penalty for January.  Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve a taxpayer of his/her obligation to pay taxes by December 31^st.  This is in accordance with the Missouri State Statutes.

 WHAT IF I LOSE MY PERSONAL PROPERTY RECEIPT?

A duplicate paid receipt may be picked up from the Collector’s office for $1.00.  Or, a written request including the $1.00 may be mailed to: Crawford County Collector P.O. Box 250, Steelville, MO  65565.  A copy of the paid receipt will be mailed to taxpayer.