Access Scott County Property Tax Records

Scott County property tax records are managed from the courthouse in Benton, Missouri. The county assessor and collector work together to value all real estate and personal property and collect the taxes owed. Scott County offers online GIS maps, a dedicated collector website, and multiple ways to pay your tax bill. This page covers the key offices, deadlines, and tools for searching and managing your Scott County property tax records.

Scott County Property Tax Assessor

The Scott County Assessor is Carla Essner. The office is at P.O. Box 245, 131 S. Winchester Street, Room 131, Benton, Missouri 63736. Phone: 573-545-3535. Fax: 573-545-3536. Email: carlaessner@scottcomo.com. For real estate questions, email scottcoassessor@scottcomo.com. For personal property, use personalproperty@scottcomo.com. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the office stays open during lunch.

The assessor's staff includes clerks for personal property, real estate, and mapping. Personal property assessment forms go out in early January and are due by March 1. A late penalty of up to $105 can be added to your regular tax bill if you miss the deadline. New residents can get a Personal Property Non-Assessment Waiver if they were not living in Missouri on January 1. The office also handles mobile home assessments.

Scott County has online GIS maps at scottgis.countyportal.net. GIS subscriptions are available for regular users. You can also get copies and maps in person. Fax copies cost $5.00. Mailed copies are $2.00. On-site copies are 50 cents per page. Maps range from $5.00 to $30.00 depending on size.

Scott County Tax Collector Information

The Scott County Collector is Mark Hensley. He has served in the role since March 1, 1999. The office collects and distributes over $35 million each year. Beyond property taxes, the collector handles railroad and utility collections, drainage collections, and merchant and auctioneer licenses.

Tax statements go out in November. The last day to pay without penalty is December 31. Failure to receive a tax statement does not relieve you of the obligation to pay. The collector also holds an annual delinquent tax sale. The most recent sale was on August 26, 2024. You can pay at the courthouse in person, by mail, or check the collector's website for online options.

The Missouri Association of Counties lists all Scott County offices with phone numbers and addresses.

Note: Missouri law requires a paid personal property tax receipt before you can renew your vehicle plates at the DMV.

Scott County Assessment Rates and Dates

Scott County follows the same assessment rates as all Missouri counties. Residential property is assessed at 19% of market value. Agricultural land uses a 12% rate. Commercial property is at 32%. Personal property like cars, trucks, and boats is assessed at 33.33%. Farm equipment and livestock use the 12% rate. Historic vehicles are assessed at 5%. These rates come from RSMo 137.115.

The assessment date is January 1. Forms are due by March 1. Notices of real estate assessment changes go out in early June. Informal hearings on assessments happen in mid May. The assessor certifies the tax rolls by June 30. The deadline to file an appeal with the Board of Equalization is the second Monday in July. The board convenes on the third Monday in July. If you want to take it further, the deadline for the Missouri State Tax Commission is September 30.

Scott County Property Tax Credits

The Missouri Department of Revenue offers a Property Tax Credit for seniors 65 and older and 100% disabled individuals. The max credit is $1,100 for homeowners and $750 for renters. You file the claim with your state tax return. The Missouri State Assessors Association maintains a statewide directory if you need to reach any county assessor office.

Scott County Tax Sale and Records

The collector holds an annual delinquent tax sale, typically in late August. The most recent sale was in August 2024. When property taxes go unpaid for two or more years, the parcel is offered at public auction. The buyer pays the back taxes and gets a Certificate of Purchase. The original owner has a redemption period under Chapter 140 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. If the property is not redeemed, the buyer can apply for a Collector's Deed.

New residents of Scott County who were not in Missouri on January 1 can get a personal property non-assessment waiver from the assessor's office. This lets you register your vehicle without a paid tax receipt for the first year. If you lived in another Missouri county on January 1, you owe your taxes in that county, not Scott County. Missouri law does not prorate taxes for mid-year moves.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Scott County in southeast Missouri. Each has its own assessor and collector for property tax records.