Jackson County Announces Compliance With Missouri Tax Commish: Q&A

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 Jackson County explains compliance with amended 2025 assessment order

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County is providing this update to help residents, taxing jurisdictions and the public understand the County’s decision to voluntarily comply with the modified 2025 assessment order issued by the State Tax Commission (STC).
 
The STC amended its original 2025 order following discussions with Jackson County, removing provisions that would have required the County to implement the separate 2024 STC order — an order that is now under appeal in two separate cases currently before the Western District Court of Appeals.
 
Under the corrected 2025 order, the STC has placed a cap on how much residential property valuations can increase in 2025, regardless of the property’s actual market value. While this may appear reasonable on the surface, when factoring in past undervaluations, the rapid pace of the local housing market and longstanding disparities, the policy creates unfortunate and very real fairness concerns for taxpayers.
 
Jackson County had already announced weeks ago that it would voluntarily limit 2025 increases to help reduce disruption and avoid additional harm to residents. However, the STC’s formal order now goes further, reducing many residential values beyond what the County had initially planned.
 
This results in:

Shifting the tax burden onto properties that remain accurately assessed, meaning many homeowners and small businesses will pay more than they would under a fair, market-based system.

Reducing revenues for taxing entities like Kansas City Public Schools and the Missouri Blind Pension Fund, which cannot legally adjust their tax rates to recover the lost assessment base. Kansas City Public Schools alone is expected to lose an estimated $38.5 million in operating revenue in 2025.

Although the County opposes arbitrary valuation caps, compliance at this stage is intended to reduce public confusion, avoid further costly litigation, and provide short-term stability while the legal appeals over the 2024 order continue.
 
“I know how confusing and frustrating this system has become for residents, and we are committed to being as transparent and helpful as possible,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “While we oppose the State Tax Commission’s policy, we are making this decision to reduce further harm and uncertainty, and we will keep working every day to stand up for fairness and stability for our taxpayers, our schools and our communities.”
 
The County has already met with Kansas City Public Schools and will continue working with other taxing jurisdictions in the coming days to explain impacts and coordinate next steps.
 
The specific formula for determining 2025 assessed values can be found in the attached amended STC order. You’ll also find a quick reference Q&A designed to support accurate reporting and to share on your websites as a resource for educating and informing residents.
 
Attachments available:

STC’s 2024 order (under appeal)
STC’s amended 2025 order (including the formula for 2025 assessments)
Quick Reference Q&A

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