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BY GREG WALTERS

The Tax Man Cometh!
TAX RATES ARE ON THE RISE IN RAYTOWN
HERE IS WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2022 AND 2023

County Personal Property Tax, INCREASED 24.25%
Jackson County has announced its plans to assess the value of used cars by 24.25%. This increase is payable through your annual Personal Property Tax bill. The tax rate has not been increased, but the value of what is being taxed is increased. In a high property tax community like Raytown the increase will be felt by anyone owning a used car. By definition any car that is not "new" is used. This 24.5% property increase will definitely be felt by Raytown taxpayers. 

The increased tax is expected to generate $1,216,625 (million dollars) for the city's General Fund and approximately $606,973 (thousand dollars) for the Park Fund.

SOURCE: City of Raytown, Bill No. 6610-22, August 11, 2022.

Raytown Sanitary Sewer Bills, INCREASED 7%
City Hall has raised the the Sewer Use Tax by 7%. The new rate will affect the 2022/2023 budget year and is scheduled to be used effective in November, 2022. 

• The Base Rate will be increased from $17.12 per month to $18.32 (per 1,000 gallons)
• The Variable Rate will be increased from $10.53 per month to $11.27 (price per gallon in in excess of 1,000 gallons)

Sanitary sewer rates are estimated by using the amount of water purchased during winter months to determine how much each resident household will pay per 1,000 galloons of water.

SOURCE: City of Raytown, Bill No. 6609-22, August 11, 2022.

Raytown Property Tax Levy, INCREASED 7%

This tax increase is based on an estimate of assessed valuation and the proposed mill levy for the Raytown Propoerty Tax. The median price for homes in Raytown, according to Zillow, is $196,852 (thousand dollars).

 

If your property has gone up in value you will pay more in property tax.

If you rent, your rent will go up to cover the increased cost of the new tax rates.

Voters will recall that the city had proposed doubling the mill levy in Raytown. The tax was defeated by a landslide margin of 1805 YES to 3210 NO. Despite that defeat, the tax has increased due to the increased valuation of homes in the metropolitan area. This illustrates that is not so much the levy that matters, but the value of what is being taxed.

SOURCE: Jackson County Property Tax Assessor

COUNTY PROPERTY TAX, INCREASED 30% TO 35%*

Jackson County will soon be reassessing all properties in Raytown that fall within the 64133 and 64138 zip codes. The reassessment process may not be completed until early next year. County officials have estimated houses located in 64133 will see an increase in value of 30%. Homes located in 64138 are estimated to have an average increase of 35%.

*It is important to remember the "reassessment" is for future tax years. Your tax bill in 2022 should remain approximately the same as in 2021. However, the result of the reassessment, going forward from 2023 and beyond is expected to be radically higher than in previous years. 

When the County Assessor has completed estimating your home's value, they will leave a blue tag on your front door notifying homeowners that they have been out to measure your home.

If you wish to "protest" the results of the reassessment, you will be given that opportunity once the reassessment process is completed.    SOURCE: Jackson County Property Tax Assessor 

OUR THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: 

Personal Property Tax Increase is "unfair".

The process being used by Jackson County on Personal Property Taxes is deeply flawed. Arbitrary increasing property values to raise taxes on personal property is the act of writing rules to fit an emergency. A better way needs to be found. The taxpayers in Jackson County did not create a micro-chip shortage. They should not have to pick up the tab for changing economic conditions that will disappear as new sources for micro-chips are replenished.

Governments are able to correct their cash shortage with the stroke of a pen. Homeowners, renters and car owners do not have that luxury. Their options are few. They can protest the decision of the government, which may or may not come out well for them. Or, they can simply pay the bill. Neither is a good option. 

Homeowners and renters are having to adjust how they spend their hard earned money. Our local governments, particularly in Jackson County and Raytown should do the same. 

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