Find Franklin County Tax Records

Franklin County property tax records are kept at the county offices in Union, Missouri. The assessor and collector work out of the government center on East Locust Street. If you own property in Franklin County, you can search tax records, check your assessed value, or look up payment history through local office portals. Franklin County sits just west of St. Louis County, and its mix of suburban growth and rural land makes for a wide range of property values. Searching your tax bill or finding details on a parcel starts with the assessor or collector office in Union.

Franklin County Assessor Office

The Franklin County Assessor handles property valuations for all real estate and personal property. The office is at 400 E. Locust Street in Union, MO 63084. You can call (636) 583-6348 or fax (636) 583-6364. Email the office at assessor@franklin-county.com for general questions about your assessed value or parcel information.

Every two years, the assessor reviews market values for all real property in odd-numbered years. Residential land is assessed at 19% of market value under RSMo 137.115. Commercial property uses a 32% rate. Agricultural parcels get a 12% rate based on soil productivity rather than what the land would sell for on the open market. The assessor also handles personal property declarations. These cover vehicles, boats, and equipment that you own on January 1 of each year. You must file your declaration by March 1 to avoid late penalties set by RSMo 137.280.

Note: Franklin County has GIS mapping tools that can help you view parcel boundaries and property data.

Franklin County Property Tax Payments

The Franklin County Collector mails out tax bills each fall. Call (636) 583-6351 with questions. All property taxes in Franklin County are due by December 31. If you miss this date, interest and penalties start the next day under RSMo 139.031.

Franklin County offers an online tax payment portal where you can look up your bill and pay electronically. This is one of the easier ways to take care of your Franklin County tax bill without visiting the courthouse. Card payments may have processing fees attached. The county itself does not keep those fees. You can also pay by mail or in person at the government center in Union. A mailed payment counts as on time if the postmark is before the deadline.

The online payment system lets Franklin County taxpayers check balances and print receipts from home.

You need a paid personal property tax receipt to renew your vehicle plates in Missouri. The collector can print one at the office the same day you pay. If you paid online, make sure to print or save your receipt from the portal.

Appealing Franklin County Tax Assessments

If your Franklin County property seems assessed too high, you have options. Start by contacting the assessor for an informal review. Bring any evidence you have, like a recent appraisal or sale prices of similar homes nearby. If you still disagree, file with the Board of Equalization before the third Monday in June.

The Missouri State Tax Commission handles appeals beyond the county board. You must file by September 30 or within 30 days of the board's decision if that comes later. The process is free for residential property owners. Because Franklin County sits on the edge of the St. Louis metro, values in certain areas can swing depending on how far the suburban growth has spread. Rural parcels and city lots in the same county can have very different assessment dynamics.

Franklin County Property Tax Credits

Seniors and disabled residents may qualify for a state property tax credit. The Missouri Department of Revenue runs this program. Homeowners can get up to $1,100. Renters may qualify for up to $750. You file through your state tax return or separately if you don't owe income tax. Contact the Franklin County Collector to see if any local senior tax programs also apply in your area.

Franklin County Tax Sale Process

When Franklin County property taxes go unpaid for more than two years, the collector can put the property up for sale. Tax sales in Missouri follow Chapter 140 of the Revised Statutes. The buyer pays the back taxes and gets a certificate of purchase. The original owner then has a redemption period to pay what is owed plus interest. If the property is not redeemed, the buyer can eventually receive a collector's deed. Each county sets its own sale date, so check with the Franklin County Collector for the latest schedule.

The Missouri Association of Counties keeps a directory of offices that can help you find the right contact for tax sale questions in Franklin County.

Note: The Recorder of Deeds at (636) 583-6369 handles deed transfers and can answer questions about property ownership records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County and have their own property tax offices.