It's Tax Time!

State and County taxes prepared to be mailed to taxpayers on Wednesday. The mailed Real Estate tax bills will include all drainage/levee taxes during the 2009 tax season.

Staff photo by Joshua Payne

The 2009 tax season will see four changes involving aid with paying taxes, and adding taxes to the Real Estate tax bills.

The changes, aiding Dunklin County residents with paying taxes, include the tax office remaining open during the noon hour through December 31, 2009, the hiring of a Spanish speaking clerk, and a drop box being positioned inside the office for taxpayers wishing to drop off taxes.

Dunklin County Collector-Treasurer, Kathy Rasberry, noted that taxpayers using the drop box will be mailed a paid receipt the following day.

The additional tax to the Real Estate tax bill includes the drainage/levee taxes. These taxes were previously billed separately, but have been added to the Real Estate tax bill for better organization, according to Rasberry.

State and County tax bills were mailed to taxpayers on Wednesday, and are payable until December 31. Following this date, a penalty will be charged for delinquent taxes, Rasberry noted.

"My recommendation to taxpayers is to mail their taxes to the collector's office, in order to avoid the large lines," Rasberry said.

She added that failure to receive all tax bills does not relieve an individual of paying the penalty if the taxes go delinquent.

"It is the taxpayer's responsibility to make sure the Assessors office has their correct address," Rasberry said.

Also, Rasberry requested that taxpayers mail all copies of the statements intended to be paid and that all checks be made for the exact amount with a phone number and driver's license number included.

"We do not collect taxes for any cities," Rasberry said.

She added that the city tax amount should not be included in the amount of the check presented as payment of State and County taxes.

Rasberry informed individuals to correct any discrepancies with a tax bill before paying the taxes.

"We can not change any tax bills," Rasberry explained.

In reference to merchants, Rasberry noted that every person, corporation, co-partnership or association of person, except motor vehicle dealers, who deal in selling goods, wares and merchandise at any store, stand or place occupied for that purpose is a "merchant," according to Missouri State Law.

She added that the County Collector issues the license and inspects each location to be sure the merchants display the license RSMO 150.110.

In order to obtain a Merchant's License contact the County Collector's office at (573) 888-2180 or visit the collector's office in room 203 at the Dunklin County Court House.

The Merchant's License is valid from January 1 through December 31 and is a cost of $25 to the merchant. Any businesses with more than one location must have a license displayed at each location. Also, the county Merchant's License is in addition to any city or other business licenses.

For further information regarding state sales taxes contact the Missouri Department of Revenue in Jefferson City, Mo., (573) 751-5860.

Individuals with questions or concerns with State and County taxes can contact Dunklin County Collector-Treasurer, Kathy Rasberry, at (573) 888-2180.