Hickory County Tax Records Lookup
Hickory County property tax records are maintained in Hermitage, Missouri, the county seat. The assessor and collector offices handle all tax assessments and payments for real estate and personal property across Hickory County. Online tax payment is available through a portal, and the county offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Whether you need to search for a tax bill, check a payment, or find assessed values, this page explains how to get those records in Hickory County.
Hickory County Tax Facts
Hickory County Property Tax Assessment
The Hickory County Assessor handles property valuation for all real estate and personal property. The office is located at the county courthouse in Hermitage. Every property in the county gets assessed as of January 1 each year. The assessor uses GIS parcel mapping along with sales data to set market values.
Missouri law under RSMo 137.115 sets the assessment rates for different property types. Residential real estate is assessed at 19% of market value. Commercial property uses 32%. Agricultural land gets a 12% rate based on what the land produces rather than its sale price. Personal property, which covers vehicles, boats, and equipment, is assessed at 33 1/3% of book value. The Hickory County assessor's office also provides GIS mapping so you can look up parcels and see assessment data on a map. Various forms and applications are available through the county's website at hickorycomo.net.
Personal property lists must be filed by March 1. Late filings draw penalties of $15 to $105 under RSMo 137.280.
Pay Hickory County Property Taxes Online
Hickory County offers an online tax payment portal for paying property taxes. The portal only shows unpaid bills. A convenience fee applies for online payments, and several payment methods are accepted. You can also pay in person at the collector's office in Hermitage or by mail.
The online payment system handles both real estate and personal property tax bills for Hickory County residents.
All tax bills are due by December 31. Payments sent by mail must be postmarked by that date. If you miss the deadline, interest and penalties kick in on January 1 under RSMo 139.031. Not getting a bill in the mail does not excuse late payment. The collector also handles merchant licenses and coordinates with other county offices on tax matters.
Hickory County Tax Sale Information
When property taxes go unpaid in Hickory County, the collector holds a tax sale. The tax sale list gets posted online starting around July 26 each year. It also gets published in The Index newspaper, which you can reach at 417-745-6404. Properties on the list have gone unpaid for multiple years.
At the sale, buyers pay the delinquent taxes and receive a certificate of purchase. The original owner gets a redemption period to pay back the amount plus interest. Chapter 140 of the Missouri Revised Statutes governs the entire tax sale process. If the property is not redeemed within the allowed time, the buyer can get a collector's deed. Check the collector's page on the Hickory County website for the current year's sale list and dates.
Tax Appeals in Hickory County
You can challenge your property assessment in Hickory County. Start by filing with the Board of Equalization through the county clerk's office before the third Monday in June. The board reviews evidence and can adjust values.
If the local board does not lower your assessment, the Missouri State Tax Commission handles the next level of appeal. File by September 30 or within 30 days of the board's ruling. The process is free for residential properties. You will need to bring evidence like comparable sales, appraisals, or documentation of property condition to support your case. The commission holds formal hearings and has the power to order changes to assessed values.
Note: The Missouri Association of Counties lists contact information for all Hickory County offices if you need help finding the right department.
Hickory County Property Tax Credits
The Missouri Department of Revenue runs a Property Tax Credit program. Seniors and 100% disabled individuals can claim up to $1,100 as homeowners or $750 as renters. File the claim with your state tax return or separately. You need your paid tax receipt from the prior year.
Some counties in Missouri also offer the Senior Real Estate Tax Credit under SB 190, which freezes part of your bill. Contact the Hickory County collector's office to ask if this program is available locally. You can also use the Missouri DOR Online Services portal to file your credit claim electronically.