Stone County Property Tax Records

Stone County property tax records are managed from the courthouse in Galena, Missouri. The county assessor, collector, and clerk all play a role in the property tax process. Stone County offers online GIS maps, a real estate tax lookup tool, and detailed assessor information. This page covers the key offices, deadlines, and tools you need to search for and manage your Stone County property tax records.

Stone County Tax Assessor Office

The Stone County Assessor is Matt Daugherty. The office is at P.O. Box 135, Galena, MO 65656-0135. Phone: 417-357-6141. Email: jodie.thomas@stonecountymo.gov. The assessor develops and maintains a current list of all taxable real and tangible personal property in Stone County. Property is assessed annually.

The assessor also handles tax mapping. That means maintaining and updating property lines based on warranty deeds filed with the recorder. The office closes the assessment books around July 1 each year and turns the rolls over to the county clerk for distribution to taxing districts. The county assessor is not part of the rate-setting process. Tax rates are set by the taxing jurisdictions, typically by September 1.

Stone County has a large staff handling real estate, personal property, and GIS mapping. You can view the county GIS map at stone.integritygis.com. A mobile version is also available. The GIS tool lets you look up parcels, check boundaries, and view property details on a map.

Stone County Property Tax Lookup

You can look up Stone County real estate taxes online at the Stone County Collector's website. This tool lets you search by parcel number or owner name. You can also get tax rate information through the Stone County Clerk's tax administration page. The clerk serves as non-voting secretary to the Board of Equalization and maintains aggregate assessed valuations for download. A property assessment appeal form is also available there.

Tax bills go out in November and are due by December 31. You can pay at the courthouse in Galena, by mail, or check for online payment options through the collector. The postmark on a mailed check determines if your payment is on time. Missouri law requires a paid personal property tax receipt for vehicle plate renewals.

Note: Business personal property returns are also due by March 1 to avoid a penalty under state law.

Stone County Assessment Rates and Appeals

Stone County follows the standard Missouri assessment rates. Residential real estate is assessed at 19% of market value under RSMo 137.115. Commercial property is at 32%. Agricultural land uses a 12% rate. Personal property is at 33.33%. For business personal property, you must list the type, year purchased, and original cost for all tangible items. Enterprise Zone benefits are available for pollution control and retooling equipment.

If you think your Stone County assessment is too high, file an appeal with the Board of Equalization by the second Monday in July. If the board does not lower your value, appeal to the Missouri State Tax Commission by September 30. The Missouri Department of Revenue also offers a Property Tax Credit for seniors and disabled individuals with a max credit of $1,100. The Missouri Association of Counties lists all Stone County office contacts.

Stone County Tax Payment Details

When property taxes go unpaid for two or more years in Stone County, the collector holds a tax sale. The buyer pays the back taxes and gets a Certificate of Purchase. The original owner has a redemption period to pay back the amount plus interest and fees. If the property is not redeemed in time, the buyer can apply for a Collector's Deed. These rules are governed by Chapter 140 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.

If you miss the December 31 payment deadline, interest and penalties start on January 1 of the next year. You can pay by mail, and the postmark date determines whether the payment is on time. Missouri law does not prorate property taxes if you move mid-year. You owe the full year in the county where you lived on January 1. Personal property tax receipts are required for vehicle plate renewals at the DMV. The Missouri State Assessors Association keeps a directory of all county assessor offices across Missouri.

Nearby Counties

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