Show-Me State Times

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has taken a significant step in the fight against illegal property tax assessments in Jackson County by launching a tip line for affected victims. The move comes ahead of the trial scheduled for June, where Attorney General Bailey is set to challenge the county over its alleged unlawful actions.

In a statement, Attorney General Bailey expressed his concerns about the impact of these actions on the residents, stating, "Missourians are already struggling to make ends meet in Joe Biden’s economy. For Jackson County to take advantage of its residents on top of that is not only unlawful – it’s despicable." He emphasized the importance of gathering more evidence from victims to present a comprehensive case in court, urging affected residents to come forward. "We go to trial in just over one month. In order to rectify the situation, we need to provide the Court with a full picture of what went wrong here. Every affected victim of this scheme has a story to tell. I encourage any Jackson County resident who has been illegally taxed to reach out to my office – we want to hear from you," Attorney General Bailey stated.

The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Bailey highlights the significant economic harm caused to residents due to the inflated property assessments, resulting in excessive taxes. The lawsuit alleges that county officials violated state law by failing to provide timely notice of assessments, neglecting physical inspections of certain properties, and mishandling appeals of property assessments. These actions, as per the lawsuit, have led to unjust taxation of property owners without proper recourse.

The tip line initiative follows a lawsuit filed against Jackson County and Tyler Technologies in December 2023, citing illegal actions that led to substantial increases in assessed property values without recourse for affected property owners. Some property owners reported assessment value hikes of over 100 percent, exacerbating the tax burden on residents. "As a result, Defendants have subjected Jackson County property owners to undue taxation based on illegally increased assessment values without the opportunity to take advantage of the statutorily provided administrative remedies," the lawsuit states.

Encouraging more residents to come forward, Attorney General Bailey noted, "We’re glad Jackson County residents continue to come forward to let us know how they were adversely affected by this illegal behavior. We encourage all Missourians to reach out on this issue. We will always have Missourians’ backs." He also highlighted the potential for justice through the tip line, stating, "If you believe you’ve been illegally taxed and want to pursue an avenue that can lead to real justice for all affected, contact our hotline."

The trial against Tyler Technologies, the county’s property appraisal contractor, is set for April 2025. Residents affected by the illegal property tax assessments in Jackson County can access the tip line through the link provided by the Attorney General's office.