TAXES DEFINITION FOR TOWNSHIP COUNTIES - 54.280

This act creates a uniform definition for taxes owed as it is applicable to township counties.

NOTICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS - 67.457

This act requires the county or city clerk of the governing body creating a NID to file a notice with the recorder of deeds in the county where the land is located. Such notice shall contain the following information: each owner of property in the NID listed as a grantor, the governing body establishing the NID listed as a grantee, a legal description of the NID, and the identifying number or a copy of the ordinance creating the NID.

This provision is similar to HB 980 (2013) and SB 248 (2013). This provision is similar to a provision contained in SCS/HCS/HB 161 (2013), SCS/HB 568 (2013), CCS#2/SCS/HCS/HB 1035 (2013), and SCS/SB 83 (2013).

NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS

Currently, the Boone County collector is authorized to collect a fee when collecting special assessments for Neighborhood Improvement Districts (NID). This act allows the Jackson County collector to also collect this fee. (Section 67.463)

This act also expands the existing law that allows liens against property to be foreclosed for failure to pay NID special assessments, so that certain first class counties, charter counties, and the city of St. Louis may also foreclose on these liens by a land tax sale under the provisions of law that govern land tax sales in those counties. (Section 67.469)

These provisions are similar to SB 138 (2013), HB 104 (2013), and HB 568 (2013). These provisions are similar to provisions contained in HCS/HB 74 (2013), HCS/HB 161 (2013), CCS/SCS/SB 248 (2013), HB 197 (2013), SCS/HCS/HB 1035 (2013), SCS/SB 83 (2013), SS/SCS/HB 1170 (2012) and SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1865 (2012).

DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES

Despite contrary provisions of law, currently the county collector in Boone County is authorized to add special assessments levied for community improvement districts to the annual real estate tax bills for the properties being benefitted by the district. Unpaid special assessments on the first day of January are considered delinquent and enforcement of the delinquent bills is governed by the laws concerning delinquent and back taxes. A lien may be foreclosed in the same manner as a tax upon real property by land tax sales. This act allows these provisions to apply to any county. (Section 67.1521)

This act allows the collector to deliver an electronic copy of the back tax book. (Sections 140.050)

This act specifies that when property taxes are delinquent, if a person other than the owner or a lienholder pays the original property taxes plus interest without the knowledge and consent of the owner, that payment will not invoke a lien on the property or person. (Section 140.115)

Currently, county collectors are authorized to use procedures for selling property when the property taxes are delinquent and when special assessments for Neighborhood Improvement Districts are delinquent. This act gives collectors the option to use these procedures when other types of special assessments are delinquent. (Section 140.150 & 140.160)

When real estate is sold for delinquent taxes or other debt, if the property sells for a greater amount than the debt, the additional money is placed in a trust fund for the owners of the property for three years. This act specifies that if the funds are not called for as part of a redemption or collector's deed issuance, then they become part of the permanent school fund of the county. (Section 140.230)

The act eliminates specific language authorizing fees of twenty-five and fifty cents that the county collector is authorized to collect when recording a certificate of purchase of land sold at a tax sale. The collector will continue to be authorized to receive the fee necessary to record the certificate of purchase. The act also eliminates language authorizing a one dollar and fifty cent fee for certain tax deeds. (Sections 140.290 & 140.470)

The act also removes a requirement that the county clerk witness the county collector sign the deed given to someone who purchases property at a tax sale. (Section 140.460)

These provisions are similar to SB 83 (2013). These provisions are similar to provisions contained in HCS/HB 74 (2013) and CCS/SCS/SB 248 (2013).

MIKE HAMMANN