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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Barton County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Barton County, MO. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Approximately 1% base rate, varies significantly by district based on school, fire, library, and special taxing jurisdictions
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Barton County, Missouri operates on a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, roads, public safety, and county operations. Property taxes are the primary revenue source for these services, with tax bills typically mailed by mid-November each year. The county maintains a base property tax rate of approximately 1% of assessed value, though actual rates vary significantly depending on your location within the county due to special taxing districts.

Your effective tax rate depends on which school district, fire district, library district, and other special taxing jurisdictions serve your property. Missouri assesses real property at 19% of its true market value, and Barton County does not have an assessment cap that limits year-over-year increases. Property owners may be eligible for various tax credits that reduce their tax bill, but most require annual application and are not automatically applied.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100 assessed value)Description
General RevenueVaries by districtCounty operations and services
Road & Bridge$0.4886Road maintenance and infrastructure
School DistrictVariesLocal school district operations
Fire DistrictVaries by districtFire protection services
Library DistrictVaries by districtPublic library services
MunicipalVaries by cityCity services (if applicable)

Rates shown are for Levy Year 2025. Actual combined rates typically range from $3.50 to $6.00 per $100 of assessed value depending on your specific location and taxing districts. Contact the Barton County Assessor at (417) 682-3529 for your exact rate breakdown.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Barton County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Barton County are additional property tax assessments that occur when property changes ownership, undergoes new construction, or receives significant improvements during the tax year. These taxes are calculated based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year.

For example, if you purchase a home in June that was previously assessed at $80,000 but now has a market value requiring a $120,000 assessment, you would receive a supplemental tax bill for the increased assessed value ($40,000 difference × 19% assessment ratio = $7,600 additional assessed value) for the remaining 7 months of the tax year. This supplemental bill is separate from the regular annual tax bill and typically arrives 4-6 weeks after the triggering event.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (19%): $57,000
  • Senior Credit Applied: -$750 (if qualified and applied for)
  • Net Taxable Value: $56,250
  • Annual Tax (assuming 4.5% rate): $2,531
  • Monthly Payment: $211

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (19%): $114,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$1,100 (if qualified and applied for)
  • Net Taxable Value: $112,900
  • Annual Tax (assuming 4.5% rate): $5,081
  • Monthly Payment: $423

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (19%): $190,000
  • No Credits Applied: $190,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $190,000
  • Annual Tax (assuming 4.5% rate): $8,550
  • Monthly Payment: $713

Tax credits shown require annual application and income qualification. Rates vary by taxing district location.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Barton County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely tax payments. Your lender collects 1/12th of your estimated annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment, holding these funds in an escrow account. When tax bills are due on December 15 and March 15, your lender pays the county directly from your escrow account.

Lenders typically conduct annual escrow analyses to compare collected amounts with actual tax bills, adjusting your monthly payment accordingly. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or new special district levies, your monthly escrow payment will increase. You can verify your tax payments by checking with the Barton County Collector-Treasurer's office at (417) 682-5881 or viewing your account online. Property owners are ultimately responsible for ensuring taxes are paid even if their lender fails to make timely payments.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Barton County for 2025? A: Tax bills are mailed by mid-November. The first installment is due December 15, 2025, and the second installment is due March 15, 2026.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: Missouri offers several tax credits including the Senior Citizens/Disabled Persons Credit (up to $750 for renters, $1,100 for homeowners) and the Property Tax Credit for low-income residents. All credits require annual application and income qualification - none are automatic.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: Missouri's homestead exemption protects up to $15,000 of your home's assessed value from creditors, but this is not a property tax reduction. You must file a homestead declaration with the recorder of deeds to claim this protection.

Q: When are properties reassessed? A: Missouri law requires reassessment every two years. Barton County typically conducts reassessments in odd-numbered years, with new values taking effect the following January.

Q: How do I appeal my assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the Barton County Board of Equalization by August 31st following the assessment year. Contact the Assessor's office at (417) 682-3529 for appeal forms.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Properties become delinquent after December 31st for first-half payments and after March 31st for second-half payments. Delinquent taxes incur interest and penalties, and may eventually result in tax sale.

Q: Can I pay my taxes online? A: Yes, Barton County offers online tax payment through their website 24 hours a day. Contact the Collector-Treasurer's office at (417) 682-5881 for online payment instructions.

Q: Why did my tax bill increase if I didn't change my property? A: Tax bills can increase due to county-wide reassessment, new or increased special district levies (schools, fire, library), or voter-approved bond issues, even without changes to your specific property.

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