Jackson County Tax Appeal - Hear from Curtis Koons Assessment Dept. Director - Kansas City Residents
If you just got your property tax bill and feel it’s too high, relief is on the way! Curtis Koons,
the Director of the Jackson County Assessor’s office told me that there was a glitch with the program used to help calculate values in some neighborhoods. New assessment notices will be sent out to impacted homeowners. But, in the meantime you can start the appeals process by completing the one page form found here on the Jackson County website.
Or, you may file an informal appeal with the Assessment Department by calling (816) 881-4601 during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.
For those who live in South Kansas City, you are invited to hear from Koons in person, who will explain the assessment and appeals process at the Trailside Center at 9901 Holmes Rd. on Tuesday, May 28th at 7:00pm. The Center Planning & Development Council, umbrella organization comprised of the 30+ southwest Kansas City neighborhood groups, is hosting the meeting.
In the meantime, in order to prepare for your appeal, please be sure to get access to recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood that you can cite as part of your case. Usually, a real estate agent can pull comparable sold homes for you to use. Be sure to give them a big thank you and refer them to friends and family looking to buy and sell homes - because most of us will do it for you without charge. If you can prove that the county has your home valued higher than market value, you may wind up with a reduction in its assessed value – and as a result, end up with lower taxes.
If you appeal, and are not satisfied with the results, you can go before the Board of Equalization (that I happen to serve on as a Center School District Representative) to appeal your value. Please know that in some cases, your value can be increased – so be careful that you have a solid case for your argument for reduction. By the way, if you successfully appeal and your value is lowered, then the letter from the county with the second value is sent to you, the lower value stands.
Successful Appeal Example:
For example, if your current reassessed value is now $200,000 and you think your homes market value is really $150,000, and you call/complete the short appeals form and win a new value of $155,000, great. However, if the county sends you a new notice with an assessment value of $160,000 – the lower amount will stand according to Koons. Please appeal if you feel that you should. Accurate is fair.
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