Frequently Asked Questions

Sections:

1. General Questions
2. Real Estate
3. Mapping

General Questions

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What are the office hours?
All of the Clay County Assessor's offices are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Where are we located?
Liberty Office
1 Courthouse Square
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 407-3500

Westside Annex
1901 NE 48th St.
Kansas City, MO 64118

Mapping Division
234 W. Shrader
Liberty, Missouri 64068

Real Estate:

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"Who makes the decision to reassess?"

The state legislature requires that the Assessor reassess every odd numbered year (RSMo 137.115).

"Why do we have to reassess?"

Under Missouri's constitution, all assessments for property tax purposes must be based upon market value and be uniform within the same subclass of property. Over time, the value of property changes due to its nature, location, inflation, market conditions, and other factors. Some values change more rapidly than others. Reassessment is the only way to be sure that the taxpayer is being taxed fairly, and is taxed the same as other comparable property.

"How can I be sure that I'm paying my fair share of taxes?"

The Assessor's job is to see that the tax burden is distributed equitably among all the property owners. To accomplish this, Missouri law requires the burden to be distributed according to the market value of the properties.

This means that the Assessor is constantly searching and digging for significant facts in order to estimate the market value of your property. An important point to remember is that the Assessor does not create market values, but interprets the activities of buyers and sellers. It is these people who determine the level of property values by their transactions in the market place.

"What is market value?"

Market value, true market value in money and appraised value have the same meaning under Missouri law. A simple definition of market value is the price the property would bring when offered for sale by a person who is willing but not obligated to sell and it is bought by a person who is willing to purchase it but who is not forced to do so.

"What is market value versus assessed value?"

The estimated market value of your property is determined by analyzing sales information of similar homes in your area. Your residential property then receives an assessed valuation of 19% of its estimated market value. For example, an estimated market value of $100,000 would calculate to an assessed valuation of $19,000.

"How does my assessed valuation affect property taxes?"

The overall amount of real estate taxes to be collected in your community is determined, not by the Assessor nor any single government official, but by all local governments providing services in your community, such as your municipality, school, park and library districts. That is why it is important to be aware of any proposed increases in spending by your local governments. On the other hand, the assessed valuation of your property does determine your share of those taxes. It is important, therefore, to you and to our office that your assessed valuation be accurate and fair.

"Why do appraised values change from year to year, as of January 1?"

When market value changes, naturally so does appraised value. For instance, if you were to increase the total market value of your property by building a swimming pool in your backyard, the appraised value would increase proportionately.

Similarly, should you property's value be decreased by a fire, the appraised value would decrease to show the downward effect of this damage on the market value of your property.

The economy of the entire community affects you appraised value. Every other year the entire county is re-appraised by your Assessor in order to reflect proper market value. If the economy is strong, thereby increasing the value of property on the market, it will be reflected in increased property values. Conversely, if the economy is weak, creating a soft or lower real estate market, these values will be reflected.

The Assessor has not created this value, but simply has legal responsibility to discover it as it exists and appraise the property accordingly, since people make value by their transactions in the market place.

"How does the Assessor's Office ensure equity?"

Once appraised values have been calculated based on information gathered by appraisers, the values are analyzed to determine how accurate and equitable they are. They Assessor's Office staff compares assessments to sales prices to determine ratios, which are then used to measure the levels and uniformity of assessments. Sales ratios studies by neighborhood, type of property, and other criteria are performed regularly to assure uniformity of values.

"Why do my taxes increase?"

An increase in your tax bill can be a result of:

• an increase in your tax levy
• an increase in your assessment
• a combination of both the tax levy & reassessment
• new construction on your property

"What are tax levies?"

The amount of taxes required to be raised in a jurisdiction by a governing body with taxing authority. Ultimately taxpayers determine the maximum amount of a jurisdiction's levy by voting.

"Who are the taxing districts in Clay County?"

Schools, Mental Health, Health Center, Fire Districts, Ambulance Districts, Road Districts, Water Districts, Hospital Districts, Library Districts, Junior College, County, and Developmental Disabilities. Your property location determines which districts receive your tax dollars. You receive a separate city tax bill.

"Who sets the tax levies and why do they keep going up?"

The tax levies are set by various taxing authorities such as the county government, city governments, school districts and other taxing districts. In 1996, 67% of Missouri residents' tax dollars went to the school districts. The Assessor has no authority in determining tax levies.

"When can I appeal my assessment?"

Informal appeals are held from April through mid-May with a staff member from the Assessor's Office. This step is not mandatory. Please call for an appointment.

Appeals through the Board of Equalization (BOE) are held from the first Monday in June through the last Saturday in July. All requests for BOE forms must be made through the Clerk's office and returned by the 3^rd Monday in June. This step is mandatory for further appeals.

Taxpayers may also appeal to the State Tax Commission after hearing their case with the Board of Equalization. State Tax Commission filing is 30 days following the final action of the BOE or August 31^st , whichever is later.

"Where is Planning and Zoning?"

Planning and Zoning is located at 234 W. Shrader, Suite C, Liberty, MO 64068.

Mapping:

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"Where do I inquire about zoning regulations?"

Zoning regulations may be obtained from the city in which the property in question lies. For zoning regulations outside any city limits, contact the County Planning & Zoning at (816) 407-3380.

This information may be obtained from the city in which the property in question lies. For information about septic system regulations outside of any city limits, contact the County Planning & Zoning at (816) 407-3380; or the Environmental Department of the Clay County Health Department at (816) 781-1601. For information about water availability outside of any city limits, contact the appropriate water district in which the property in question lies. If the property lies outside the boundaries of any water district, contact the Clay County Planning & Zoning department for information.

"How can Flood Plain/Flood Map information be obtained?"

Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Service (ASCS)
United Missouri Bank Building
1 Victory Drive Suite 100
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 781-5566 or (816) 781-5580

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
911 Walnut
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 283-7063 (Information)
(816) 283-7002 (Flood Insurance)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Flood Map Distribution Center
6930 (A-F) San Tomas Road
Baltimore, MD 21227
(800) 333-1363

"How do I obtain a building permit?"

Building Permits may be obtained from the city in which the property in question lies. For building permits outside any city limits, contact the Clay County Planning & Zoning Office at (816) 407-3380.

"What do I need to do to change the name or remove a name from my property?"

A legal document such as a quit claim or warranty deed needs to be recorded in the Recorder's Office.

"How do I change the ownership names after filing a Beneficiary Deed?"

The grantee/s need to mail or bring in a copy of the death certificate of the grantor/s, and our Mapping Department will then change the computer file accordingly.

"Who should be notified of my change in mailing address?"

The Assessor's Office will accept mailing address changes in person or through the mail. Send address changes to the Assessor's Office, Mapping Department at 234 W. Shrader St, STE D, Liberty, MO 64068. If you do not receive a tax bill, be sure to contact the Assessor and verify the address on the tax roll.

"Who should I contact regarding a property address change?"

Contact the city in which the property lies. If the property lies outside any city limits, contact County Planning & Zoning at (816) 407-3380. Anyone with a question about a property address or mailing address change on either a Notice of Valuation or a Clay County Tax Bill may contact Mapping at (816) 407-3370.

We follow the Metropolitan Zip Code Directory for mailing address suffixes put out by the Postal Service. We use subdivision plats in conjunction with the zip code directory to attempt to maintain uniformity in the NAL system.

"What are the Recorder's Office Fees?"

Recorder of Deeds Fee Schedule

"Who should I contact regarding old cemetery records?"

Clay County Archives & Historical Library
210 East Franklin Street
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 781-3611

"How can I find out about easements?"

For high power line easements only, contact the Mapping Department in the Assessor's office.

FOR OTHER EASEMENTS:

Topographic Maps may be obtained from:

Gallup Map Company
1733 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 842-1994

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