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Property

Six county assessors, one metro.

Property assessment is a county function — and the metro spans nine counties. Each has its own assessor, its own valuation timeline, and its own appeal window. If you got a bill or a notice you don't understand, find your county here.

Why this matters even if you rent

Landlords pass property tax onto rent. Major mid-year reassessments — like Jackson County's in 2023 — pushed rents up across the city. If you rent in a county that just reassessed, expect renewal increases. Tenants do not have direct standing in property appeals, but community organizing around assessment policy is open.

County assessors

Missouri (5)

Kansas (4)

Appealing your assessment

Each county has a window — typically 30-45 days from when the notice goes out. Miss the window and you wait until next cycle. The process:

  1. Read the assessment notice carefully. Look for the "appeal deadline" and the "value used."
  2. Gather comparable sales (sometimes the county portal has these; otherwise pull from Zillow, Redfin, or the MLS via a realtor).
  3. File an informal appeal with the assessor (usually a form online).
  4. If denied, file a formal appeal with the County Board of Equalization (MO) or County Appraiser Hearing (KS).
  5. If still denied, you can appeal to the State Tax Commission (MO) or BOTA (KS).

In Jackson County after the 2023 reassessment, organized appeal clinics ran in community spaces. The Beacon, KC Tenants, and several legal aid groups have hosted these. Watch for them in years when reassessments hit.

Homestead, senior, veteran exemptions

Each state has its own:

If you rent

For tenant defense, see legal and housing.

Property records (the deed, who owns it)

County recorders / register of deeds have the actual ownership records. If you want to know who owns a property: