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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Cedar County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
0.6% to 1.2% of assessed value (varies by taxing districts serving your property)
1st Due
Dec 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Cedar County, Missouri operates under the state's property tax system to fund essential local services including schools, fire protection, roads, and municipal services. Property taxes in Cedar County are assessed annually based on market value and collected by the county collector. The effective tax rate typically ranges from approximately 0.6% to 1.2% of assessed value, though this varies significantly based on your specific location within the county due to different combinations of taxing districts.

Your actual property tax rate depends on which special taxing districts serve your property, such as school districts, fire protection districts, ambulance districts, and other local service areas. For example, properties served by Cedar County Memorial Hospital district will have an additional levy of 0.1472 per $100 of assessed value for FY 2025. Each parcel may be subject to different combinations of these district taxes, making it important to understand your specific tax bill components rather than relying on county-wide averages.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100 assessed value)Description
County General RevenueVaries by districtBasic county services and operations
School DistrictsVaries by districtLocal school district operations and debt service
Cedar County Memorial Hospital$0.1472Hospital district services (where applicable)
Fire Protection DistrictsVaries by districtLocal fire protection services
Ambulance DistrictsVaries by districtEmergency medical services
Special Road DistrictsVaries by districtRoad maintenance and improvement
Library DistrictsVaries by districtPublic library services (where applicable)

Note: These rates apply to the FY 2025 levy year. The 2025 property tax rates are still being finalized by the Missouri State Auditor. Actual rates vary significantly based on your property's location and which special taxing districts serve your area. Check with the Cedar County Assessor or visit the Missouri State Auditor's website for your specific district combination and final 2025 rates.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

First Installment
Dec 31
Delinquent after Dec 10
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 tax bills are issued when property undergoes reassessment during the tax year due to ownership changes, new construction, or significant improvements. When these events occur, the Cedar County Assessor calculates the difference between the new assessed value and the previous value that was set on January 1st of the tax year. This difference becomes the supplemental assessment, and you'll receive an additional tax bill covering the period from when the change occurred through the end of the fiscal year.

For example, if you purchase a home in Cedar County in June that was previously assessed at $120,000 but now has a market value requiring reassessment to $180,000, you would receive a supplemental bill for the $60,000 difference in assessed value. This supplemental tax would cover June through December, prorated for the remaining months of the tax year. The supplemental bill is separate from and in addition to the regular annual property tax bill, and both must be paid according to their respective due dates.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Senior/Disabled Tax Credit Applied: -$1,000 (if eligible and applied for)
  • Net Taxable Value: $299,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.05% (example combined rate)
  • Annual Tax: $3,140
  • Monthly Escrow: $262

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: Limits assessment increase to 5% annually (if applied for)
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000
  • Tax Rate: 0.85% (example combined rate)
  • Annual Tax: $5,100
  • Monthly Escrow: $425

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • No Credits Applied: $1,000,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Tax Rate: 0.75% (example combined rate)
  • Annual Tax: $7,500
  • Monthly Escrow: $625

Note: Tax credits require separate applications and are not automatically applied. Rates shown are examples as actual rates vary by taxing districts. Contact the Cedar County Assessor for specific credit applications and your property's actual tax rate.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Cedar County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, especially for loans with less than 20% down payment. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments as part of your mortgage payment and pays your property taxes directly to Cedar County when they become due on December 31st each year. Lenders typically collect slightly more than the estimated annual tax amount to ensure sufficient funds are available and to comply with federal escrow regulations.

Your lender will provide an annual escrow analysis statement showing the previous year's tax payments and adjusting your monthly escrow amount based on any changes in your property tax bill. If your taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your monthly payment will increase accordingly. You can request to see the actual tax bills your lender receives, and you should verify that payments are made on time to avoid penalties. If you pay off your mortgage or refinance, ensure there's a smooth transition of escrow responsibilities to avoid missed payments during the changeover period.

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 Cedar County? A: Property taxes are due December 31st each year for the current fiscal year. If you haven't received your bill by December 1st, contact the Cedar County Collector's office immediately. Any delinquent taxes from previous years must be paid before current year taxes can be processed.

Q: What tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: Cedar County offers tax credits for senior citizens and disabled persons that can reduce tax increases exceeding 5% annually. These credits require separate applications and are not automatically applied. Contact the Cedar County Assessor's office for application forms and specific eligibility requirements.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit limits annual assessment increases rather than reducing your home's market value. It typically caps assessment growth at 5% per year for qualified homeowners. This credit requires an application to be filed with the Cedar County Assessor and must be renewed as required by county procedures.

Q: How often are properties reassessed? A: Missouri law requires properties to be assessed annually, but Cedar County may conduct physical inspections on a rotating cycle. Significant changes like new construction, major improvements, or ownership transfers trigger immediate reassessment regardless of the regular cycle.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Late payment penalties and interest accrue on unpaid property taxes after December 31st. Contact the Cedar County Collector for specific penalty rates and payment arrangements if you cannot pay by the due date.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Check with the Cedar County Collector's office for current online payment options and accepted payment methods. Many Missouri counties offer online payment systems, but availability and fees may vary.

Q: Why did my tax rate change if I didn't vote on any tax increases? A: Your effective rate can change due to special district boundary changes, new districts forming, existing district rate adjustments, or moving between areas served by different combinations of taxing districts. Each district can adjust rates within legal limits.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the Cedar County Board of Equalization during their specified appeal period, typically in June and July. Contact the Cedar County Assessor for appeal forms, deadlines, and required documentation to support your case.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
County
Tax Rates for County: Cedarauditor.mo.gov
02
State
2025 Property Tax Rate Report - Missouri State Auditor's Officeauditor.mo.gov
03
Tax Doc
Property Tax Calculatorsauditor.mo.gov
04
County
Right-Collector - Cedar County Missouricedarcountymo.gov
05
County
Collector - Cedar County Missouricedarcountymo.gov
06
County
Uncategorized - Cedar County Missouricedarcountymo.gov
07
Tax Doc
authorizing a property tax credit pursuant to senate bill 190cedarcountymo.gov
08
SB730 - Creates the Missouri Homestead Preservation Actdocuments.house.mo.gov
09
County
Cedar County Assessorcedarcountymo.gov
10
County
Cedar County, MO Property Records | Owners, Deeds, Permitsmissouri.propertychecker.com
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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