The Missouri State Auditor has found that the Jackson County Assessment Department violated state law in their property assessments, and homeowners are advised to pay their tax bills "under protest" if they disagree with the assessment. To do so, property owners must pay the full tax bill by the December 31 deadline, file a written statement explaining the grounds for protest, and file a petition in court within 90 days to recover the amount protested. Paying under protest is not required for property owners with an ongoing appeal, but it may delay the issuance of a refund.
The Missouri State Auditor has released an initial report stating that the 2023 property assessment process in Jackson County violated state law. Up to 200,000 homeowners were affected, as the assessment department failed to properly notify them of the requirement for a physical inspection. The notification letters sent to homeowners contained inaccurate information about their rights for an interior inspection. Additionally, not all applicable taxpayers received notification letters, and the distributed letter to all taxpayers did not outline their right to request an inspection. The auditor believes that the department's failure to follow state law should invalidate valuation increases of over 15%.
The Missouri State Auditor has released a preliminary audit stating that the Jackson County Assessment Department failed to comply with state law, with property values that increased over 15% likely being invalid. Approximately 69% of homes in Jackson County are affected. The audit calls for solutions such as limiting 2023 values to 15%, using prior years' assessed valuations, or allowing additional appeals. The audit also revealed a lack of physical inspections and failure to notify homeowners of their rights. Over 55,000 appeals were filed, and the state auditor's office will issue a final report in 2024.
The Missouri State Auditor is investigating complaints regarding the assessment process in Jackson County, after receiving whistleblower complaints. The investigation will focus on issues such as homeowners being unable to reach the county during the appeals window, the appeals process, and the role of Tyler Technologies in determining property values. Over 54,000 appeals have been filed in Jackson County, with homeowners questioning the process and the significant changes in their property values. The State Auditor's investigation aims to address these concerns and ensure accountability.
