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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Mercer County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Mercer 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
Varies by district - Road & Bridge 0.3381%, total rates vary significantly by location due to overlapping taxing districts
1st Due
Dec 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Mercer County, Missouri operates under the state's property tax system to fund essential local services including schools, road maintenance, emergency services, and county government operations. Property taxes are calculated based on assessed values determined by the County Assessor and applied tax rates set by various local taxing jurisdictions. The county's effective tax rate for 2025 is approximately 0.3381% for the Road & Bridge district, though this represents just one component of the total tax burden.

Property tax rates in Mercer County vary significantly depending on your specific location within the county due to overlapping special taxing districts. These districts may include school districts, fire protection districts, ambulance districts, and other special service areas. Homeowners should expect their actual tax rate to be higher than the base county rate once all applicable district taxes are included. Missouri assesses residential property at 19% of market value, with commercial property assessed at 32% of market value.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Road & Bridge0.3381%County road maintenance and bridge infrastructure (FY 2025)
School DistrictVaries by districtLocal school funding - rates vary by specific school district
Fire ProtectionVaries by districtEmergency fire services for applicable areas
Ambulance DistrictVaries by districtEmergency medical services where applicable
Library DistrictVaries by districtPublic library services in participating areas
Other Special DistrictsVariesAdditional services such as water, sewer, or community districts

Note: The rates shown are for levy year 2025. Your total property tax rate depends on which combination of taxing districts serve your specific property location. Contact the Mercer County Assessor at (660) 382-2421 for your property's complete tax rate breakdown.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Mercer 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 property taxes in Mercer County are triggered by specific events that change a property's assessed value during the tax year. The most common triggers include change of ownership through sale or transfer, completion of new construction or major improvements, and corrections to previous assessments. When these events occur, the County Assessor calculates the difference between the old and new assessed values and applies the current tax rate to determine the supplemental tax amount.

Supplemental taxes are prorated based on the number of months remaining in the tax year after the triggering event. For example, if a home sells in July and the new assessment increases the taxable value by $50,000, the supplemental tax would be calculated on that $50,000 increase for the remaining months of the tax year. These supplemental bills are typically issued within 30-60 days of the assessment change and have separate due dates from regular property tax bills.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (19%): $57,000
  • Less: Senior Credit (if applicable): -$1,100
  • Net Taxable Value: $55,900
  • Annual Tax (est. 1.2% total rate): $671
  • Monthly Escrow: $56

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (19%): $114,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applicable): -$1,100
  • Net Taxable Value: $112,900
  • Annual Tax (est. 1.2% total rate): $1,355
  • Monthly Escrow: $113

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (19%): $190,000
  • Less: Available Credits: -$1,100
  • Net Taxable Value: $188,900
  • Annual Tax (est. 1.2% total rate): $2,267
  • Monthly Escrow: $189

Important: All tax credits require separate applications and are not automatically applied. Contact the County Assessor for current credit application forms and deadlines.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Mercer County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property taxes and insurance. Your lender collects monthly payments equal to 1/12 of your estimated annual property tax bill and holds these funds to pay your taxes when due. Lenders typically conduct an annual escrow analysis to ensure adequate funds are collected, which may result in payment adjustments if taxes increase or decrease significantly.

Property taxes in Mercer County are due by December 16th each year, and your lender will typically pay the bill directly to the county collector from your escrow account. You should receive a copy of the tax bill for your records, even when paid through escrow. If you pay your own taxes without escrow, you can make payments online, by mail, or in person at the Mercer County Collector's office. Late payments are subject to penalties and interest charges that begin accruing after the December 16th deadline.

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 Mercer County? A: Property taxes for fiscal year 2024 are due by December 16, 2024. This deadline typically remains consistent each year, but confirm current year deadlines with the Missouri Department of Revenue website.

Q: What tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: Missouri offers several tax credits including the Circuit Breaker Credit (up to $750 for renters, $1,100 for homeowners), Senior Citizen Credit, and Disabled Veteran Credit. All credits require separate applications filed with the County Assessor by specific deadlines. These are tax credits that reduce your tax bill, not exemptions.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Missouri Homestead Preservation Credit limits annual assessment increases on owner-occupied residential property. This credit caps assessment growth rather than reducing market value, and you must file an application with the County Assessor to qualify.

Q: How often are properties reassessed? A: Missouri law requires properties to be reassessed every two years. The County Assessor conducts physical inspections and market value updates on this cycle, with values effective each January 1st.

Q: What happens if I pay my taxes late? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest charges beginning December 17th. Properties with delinquent taxes may eventually be subject to tax sale proceedings if taxes remain unpaid.

Q: Can I appeal my property assessment? A: Yes, you can appeal your assessment to the Mercer County Board of Equalization. Appeals must be filed by a specific deadline, typically in June following the assessment notice.

Q: Are online payment options available? A: Contact the Mercer County Collector's office at (660) 382-2573 to confirm current online payment options and accepted methods for property tax payments.

Q: How do special district taxes affect my bill? A: Your total tax rate includes all applicable special districts serving your property location. These may include school, fire, ambulance, library, and other service districts. The combination of districts varies throughout the county, creating different total tax rates for different areas.

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: Mercerauditor.mo.gov
02
State
2025 Property Tax Rate Report - Missouri State Auditor's Officeauditor.mo.gov
03
State
Quarterly Summary of State and Local Tax Revenuewww2.census.gov
04
Forms and Manuals - Missouri Department of Revenuedor.mo.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Credit - Missouri Department of Revenuedor.mo.gov
06
County
Mercer County Financial Statementsauditor.mo.gov
07
State
Foreclosing on Opportunity: State Laws and Mortgage Creditfederalreserve.gov
08
Fiscal Year 2017 EPA FOIA log (pdf)epa.gov
09
County
Mercer Countyauditor.mo.gov
10
County
Mercer County Financial Statementsapp.auditor.mo.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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