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Jackson County Courthouse
Trying to make since of the convoluted process of appealing your recent increase in property value by Jackson County is almost as difficult as understanding how everyone in Jackson County could have possibly had an increase in property value in a down real estate market!

Let me try to make some since of this for you, or as much as can be made from this madness. Oh and thanks for Visiting Turn-Key Properties LLC!

County authorities use a home's appraised value to determine its assessed value, which then is used to compute the homeowner's tax bills. Missouri authorities assess homes at 19 percent of their appraised value, and Kansas authorities assess homes at 11.5 percent of appraised value. Jackson, Clay and Platte counties in Missouri, where properties are reassessed each odd year.

Firstly; they are from the government and they are here to help you. Everyone knows that paradox and the reality is they are only there to help themselves and keep your money!  So it is up to you to fight to keep what is rightfully yours!

The deadline for filing an appeal for your inflated tax appraisal for 2012 is as follows:
If you are not satisfied with the market value placed on your property or you feel your reassessment notice is incorrect, you may request a review of assessment with an appraiser by calling (816) 881-4601 no later than May 28, 2012. (But they won't actually answer the phone)

Your appeal must be filed to the Board of Equalization on or before July 9, 2012. Hearings will be scheduled after July 10 and thru August 25, 2012. The Board of Equalization may increase, decrease or maintain the current market value at your hearing.

If you do not appear at your scheduled hearing, the Board will value your property based upon the evidence presented. This may result in an increase, decrease or no change in value. In advance, please inform the Board of Equalization by written request of any conflicting dates during the month of July and August.

As Described on the Jackson County Web Site

Below you will find a copy of the form (in triplicate) that you must go to the courthouse to obtain! My trip to the courthouse involved being sent back through the scanner repeatedly for tiny objects that set off the metal detectors. I had to remove my belt, empty my pockets and disrobe to the point that I had to go to the bathroom to put my clothing back on!  (Read More Below)


God help the average Joe wanting to file for this, I am a real estate broker and it took me hours of research to make the first attempt at it. The system is designed to keep you from pursuing this fundamental right so they can confiscate your income.

OK so here is what you do, find a real estate agent and ask them for a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for your home. That CMA should include sales of similar properties in relative proximity to your home within the last 6 months. Most agents will provide this service for a fee or some may even do it for free. If no comps are available within the 6 month time frame they may need to expand the search area or extend the time period. (Turn-Key Properties LLC can provide the CMA) The CMA should also provide you with a suggested sale price, that will likely be much lower than what Jackson County has Appraised your property for.

Take that CMA and Fax it to Mrs. Brisbin at : 816-881-4652, you may also email it to mbrisbin (@) jacksongov.org (I broke it up to prevent spammers from finding it). You should also call (816) 881-4601 immediately to tell them that you are faxing or sending it over.

Now go down to the courthouse and obtain your copy of the form above! Don't just download this one they may not accept it! Their forms are tri-colored and in triplicate!

Now after all this they told me I may not need to fill out and send in the appeal forms, as they will review the CMA I sent in. Just in-case I plan to have the forms filled out and ready to be submitted by the DEADLINE of July 09, 2012!

The Board of Equalization... (sounds like something from an Ayn Rand novel!)

OK, so now you've hopefully submitted your CMA and have your Board of Equalization Real Estate Market Value Appeal form. the following are a few of the requirement they "suggest" for you. I'm quoting from their documents, I will also include some of those documents below.

The Board requests on all new purchased, foreclosure and rehabed -{sic} properties "A Written Estimate of Repairs from a Legitimate Contractor". Oops, sorry they put theirs in ALL CAPS, misspellings and all!

More like this...:
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION GUIDELINES

YOUR APPEAL MUST BE RETURNED TO THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION BEFORE JULY 09, 2012.

HEARINGS WILL BE SCHEDULED AFTER JULY 09, 2012 THRU AUGUST 25, 2012.

IF YOU DO NOT APPEAR AT YOUR SCHEDULED HEARING YOUR APPEAL MAY BE DISMISSED.

THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MAY INCREASE, DECREASE OR MAINTAIN THE CURRENT MARKET VALUE AT YOUR HEARING.

Below find the remainder of the documents, requirements, "suggestions" and rules!
Well, I hope this helps! I wish I could have penned this earlier but it has taken me this long just to learn how this crazy system works! If we can help you with this or any other real estate question please feel free to contact us!

Turn-Key Properties LLC