Citizens only have about a month left to return their personal property assessment forms to the Pettis County Assessor’s Office.
On Dec. 31, property assessment forms were mailed throughout Pettis County. If a property owner did not receive an assessment, they should contact the Assessor’s Office to take the appropriate steps, which include checking their account and filling out a form, according to Pettis County Assessor Chris Woolery.
“The first step is to call,” Woolery said.
It is possible for a non-property owner to have received an assessment in the mail.
“If they got rid of a vehicle, that is possible,” Woolery said.
Woolery also said his office only lists information that citizens report to them.
“It’s very possible, and very likely, that there are people that don’t report everything,” Woolery said.
If that is the case, the citizen then will have to pay penalties later on.
“It costs more if it’s not done right the first time,” he noted.
Citizens will need to confirm on the form if the property listed is correct and can list any property that is not included. Property assessment forms include all property owned as of Jan. 1, 2021.
According to the assessment form mailed to citizens, the form is used by the county assessor to determine the taxable value of a citizen’s personal property. Personal property includes things such as vehicles, recreational equipment, livestock, and farm machinery.
There are several ways to complete and return the assessment form:
• Mail it to: Pettis County Assessor, 415 S. Ohio Ave. Suite 218, Sedalia, Missouri, 65301.
• Place it in the dropbox on the Pettis County Courthouse lawn.
• Bring it to the Assessor’s Office on the second floor of the courthouse.
• Complete the form online at pettis.missouriassessors.com. Each citizen’s form includes an online PIN to use.
Forms must be returned by March 1 to avoid a late fee.
In response to COVID-19, the Assessor’s Office has made several changes. Adjustments have been made, such as installing plexiglass. In the office’s main room, employees normally allow two people in at a time but can manage four people if necessary. There is a dropbox for anyone who has already completed their sheet.
If there is a rush of people, Woolery said he will put on a mask and go into the hallway with a clipboard to help people fill out their information. Woolery encourages anyone to come in if they did not receive a sheet because the initial rush of people is over. Besides the changes to the office and having field reviewers wear masks, the Assessor’s Office has made no major changes to its work due to COVID.
For more information, contact the Assessor’s Office at 660-826-5000 ext. 920.
