Beginning this week, property taxes will be assessed and levied on newly constructed homes at the time they are first occupied, rather than waiting until Jan. 1 of each year.

While the change means some homeowners will begin paying taxes sooner on their new homes, county officials are touting that the new occupancy regulations will allow the county to pro-rate property taxes in the event a home — new or old — is destroyed in a natural disaster.

Should a natural disaster strike in a county where the occupancy regulations have not been adopted, County Assessor Wendy Nordwald said there would be no way assistance could be offered in the form of reducing property assessments and taxes. A natural disaster is defined as a tornado, fire, flood or earthquake.

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(1) Senate Bill 55—The Sawmill Bill

Senate Bill 55, signed by Governor July 13, 2011, amends 137.016 to now include the following language in the definition of agricultural real property:
Agricultural and horticultural property shall also include any sawmill or planing mill defined in the U.S. Department of Labor's Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual under Industry Group 242 with the SIC number 2421.

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All property, real and personal, of the state, counties and other political subdivisions, and nonprofit cemeteries, and all real property used as a homestead as defined by law of any citizen of this state who is a former prisoner of war, as defined by law, and who has a total service-connected disability, shall be exempt from taxation . . . (New language bolded)

While other provisions of this section indicate that the general assembly “may” exempt property by general law, this particular provision mandates the exemption without requiring any action of the general assembly. In fact, pursuant to Article XII, Section 2(b) of the Missouri Constitution, the measure will take effect thirty days after the election approving it. The legislature will not have time to specifically define "homestead" for this purpose until after it becomes law.

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Holman, a Democrat, resigned his position as Jefferson County assessor in order to serve on the State Tax Commission. His term as assessor expires at the end of the year. The Governor has appointed Holman for a term ending Jan. 23, 2014.

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Note: The Property Tax Credit (Circuit Breaker) is still available for eligible seniors/disabled people. The Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim gives credit to certain senior citizens and 100 percent disabled individuals for a portion of the real estate taxes or rent they have paid for the year. The credit is for a maximum of $750 for renters and $1,100 for owners who owned and occupied their home. The actual credit is based on the amount of real estate taxes or rent paid and total household income (taxable and nontaxable).

Click here for the Property Tax Credit Qualification Chart

Jeff Schaeperkoetter (SHAY'-per-kuh-ter) is currently Nixon's director of facilities management, design and construction. His appointment to the Tax Commission for a term ending in 2012 was announced Thursday. The commission is responsible for supervising property assessments throughout Missouri. It can also set assessment levels for farmland.

The Tax Commission recommended a 30% tax hike for the best farmland in the state, mainly cropland in the fertile areas of northern and southeastern Missouri. Though the commission also recommended a 24% tax break for the least productive ground, mostly put into pasture, it was the increase that grabbed the attention of lawmakers and sparked a firestorm at the Capitol.

The House picked up and passed the Senate resolution, SCR 35 & 32, which overturned the commission recommendation. The House voted 143-to-11 to reject the Tax Commission recommendation. The Senate approved the resolution on a 30-to-3 vote earlier. The resolution doesn’t have to go to the governor. Farmland tax rates will remain as is.

The State Tax Commission based its recommendations on studies completed by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute. FAPRI, operated by the University of Missouri and Iowa State University, is well respected among legislators. Its recommendations carry much weight at the Capitol in Jefferson City.