Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Wednesday that the state and Jackson County have reached a settlement to resolve the contentious 2023 property tax assessment case. The agreement ends the state’s lawsuit, which stemmed from the county’s use of flawed assessment practices that failed to follow state law and missed required notice deadlines for large tax increases affecting tens of thousands of property owners.

Settlement details

Under the settlement, Jackson County will dismiss its appeal, maintain corrected assessments, and certify that the required adjustments have been made. The county also agreed to work with the Missouri State Tax Commission to ensure future assessments comply with state statutes.

Local response

Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota welcomed the agreement, calling it “another significant victory for my administration in addressing the property tax debacle that has impacted Jackson County taxpayers.” He thanked Attorney General Hanaway, her staff, and the State Tax Commission for their cooperation. LeVota noted that when he took office a year ago, his team was already aligned with the state to protect taxpayers, correct past issues, and make taxpayers whole.

LeVota added that the county will follow the directives of the Missouri State Tax Commission, including corrective measures that address residential assessment increases exceeding 15%.

Tax relief for affected homeowners

The Jackson County Legislature, in partnership with LeVota, created a property tax credit program to provide relief to eligible taxpayers who experienced significant tax increases during the 2023 reassessment. The program aims to offset the financial burden on families who are already stretching every dollar.

Hanaway emphasized the broader responsibility of government to safeguard taxpayers, especially as Missouri families watch their household budgets more closely than ever. “When local governments get it wrong, Missouri families should not be the ones who pay the price,” she said in a news release.

The settlement represents a collaborative effort between state and local officials to correct unlawful tax practices and defend tax relief for homeowners, reinforcing the commitment to protect taxpayers’ wallets and ensure government compliance with the law.

Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.