Assessor reminds county taxpayers to return personal property assessment forms

Moniteau County Assessor Darrel L. King would like to remind personal property owners of the county to return the form for listing personal property for the 2012 assessment year.

"You should have received the form in the mail from this office by now. They were mailed Dec. 31. Many have already been returned by mail or in person to the office to date. It is important that you return them as soon as possible," King said.

By March 1, 2012, every owner or holder of personal property is to report on the form provided by the assessor all taxable personal property, including cars, trucks, trailers, farm equipment an livestock, manufacturing equipment, etc., which is owned or held by the person or business on Jan. 1, 2012.

"Every year a few property owners forget to return, misplace their list or it is lost in the mail," King said. "So we make every attempt to remind people to return the form on time."

Those not returning the completed list to the assessor by the deadline are subject to a penalty. To avoid this penalty, bring in or mail the form to th assessor's office as soon as possible.

"You are given just a few days grace period before we are required to start adding the penalty, and the penalties can range from $10 to $100 depending upon the value of the property and the statutes provide the assessor with almost no discretion to waive the penalties," King said.

It is the responsibility of property owners to report their personal property even if they did not receive a form in the mail. If a person moved into the county after Jan. 1, 2011, but before Jan. 1, 2012, or for some reason did not receive a form from the assessor, Missouri State Law does not excuse the property owner from filing. Contact the assessor's office for a blank form by calling 573-796-4637. The courthouse hours are 8 a.m. - 12 noon and 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.