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Updated 2025 Tax Year

St. Louis County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in St. Louis 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 location (typically 1.0% - 1.5% effective rate)
1st Due
Dec 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

St. Louis County operates under Missouri's property tax system, where property taxes serve as a crucial funding source for local services including schools, libraries, fire protection, municipal services, and county operations. Property taxes in St. Louis County are assessed based on the fair market value of real estate, with residential properties typically assessed at 19% of their true value in money. The county follows Missouri's constitutional framework, which caps residential assessment ratios and provides various exemptions to qualifying property owners.

The effective property tax rates in St. Louis County vary depending on your specific location within the county, as rates include combinations of county levies, municipal taxes, school district assessments, and special district fees. Based on current data, the base county rate is $0.2630 per $100 of assessed valuation, though your total effective rate will likely be higher when including school districts and other local taxing jurisdictions. Most homeowners can expect total effective rates ranging from approximately 0.8% to 1.2% of their property's market value, depending on their specific tax district combination.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate per $100 Assessed ValueDescription
County General$0.2630Base St. Louis County operations, services, and infrastructure
School DistrictVaries by districtLocal school district funding (typically $3.00-$5.00 per $100)
MunicipalVaries by cityCity services, police, fire, utilities (if applicable)
Library DistrictVariesPublic library system funding
Fire ProtectionVaries by districtFire and emergency services for unincorporated areas
Special DistrictsVariesSewer, water, lighting, or other special service districts
Community CollegeVariesSt. Louis Community College district assessment

Note: Your total tax rate is the sum of all applicable jurisdictions for your property location. Contact the St. Louis County Assessor's Office for your specific combined rate.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in St. Louis 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 taxes in St. Louis County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are significant changes to a property during the tax year. The most common triggers include ownership transfers, new construction completion, major renovations that increase property value, or corrections to previous assessments. When supplemental taxes are issued, they represent the difference between the original tax assessment and the new assessment, prorated for the portion of the tax year affected by the change.

For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition in July, and this increases your assessed value by $9,500 (19% of the improvement value), you would owe supplemental taxes on that additional assessed value for the remaining months of the tax year. With a combined tax rate of $4.50 per $100 assessed value, this would result in approximately $214 in supplemental taxes ($9,500 ÷ 100 × $4.50 × 6/12 months). Supplemental tax bills are typically mailed within 30-60 days of the assessment change and have their own due dates separate from regular property tax payments.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (19%): $57,000
  • Homestead Exemption: Check with assessor for eligibility
  • Net Taxable Value: $57,000 (assuming no exemptions)
  • Combined Tax Rate: $4.20 per $100
  • Annual Property Tax: $2,394
  • Monthly Escrow: $199

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (19%): $114,000
  • Homestead Exemption: Check with assessor for eligibility
  • Net Taxable Value: $114,000 (assuming no exemptions)
  • Combined Tax Rate: $4.20 per $100
  • Annual Property Tax: $4,788
  • Monthly Escrow: $399

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (19%): $190,000
  • Homestead Exemption: Check with assessor for eligibility
  • Net Taxable Value: $190,000 (assuming no exemptions)
  • Combined Tax Rate: $4.20 per $100
  • Annual Property Tax: $7,980
  • Monthly Escrow: $665

Note: Actual rates vary by tax district. Contact your assessor for precise calculations.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in St. Louis County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% equity in their homes. Your lender collects approximately 1/12 of your annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment, depositing these funds into an escrow account. The lender then pays your property taxes directly to St. Louis County when they become due on December 31st each year. Lenders typically collect a cushion of 1-2 months of additional payments to ensure sufficient funds are available.

Property tax escrow accounts are analyzed annually by your lender, usually around the anniversary of your loan. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your monthly escrow payment will be adjusted accordingly. You'll receive an escrow analysis statement showing any shortage or surplus. If taxes have increased significantly, you may need to pay a shortage amount or accept higher monthly payments. Conversely, if you've overpaid, you may receive a refund or see reduced monthly payments. Always verify that your lender has paid your taxes correctly by checking with the St. Louis County Collector's office, as you remain ultimately responsible for ensuring timely payment.

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 St. Louis County? A: Property taxes are due by December 31st each year. Payments made after December 31st incur penalties and interest charges.

Q: How do I qualify for a homestead exemption? A: Missouri's homestead exemption is available for qualifying residents. Contact the St. Louis County Assessor's office to determine your eligibility and obtain the necessary application forms.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, St. Louis County offers online payment options through their official website. You can pay by electronic check or credit card, though credit card payments may incur processing fees.

Q: How often is my property reassessed? A: St. Louis County conducts property reassessments on a regular cycle. You'll receive a notice of any assessment changes, typically mailed by June 15th of the assessment year.

Q: What should I do if I disagree with my property assessment? A: You can file an informal appeal beginning May 1st with the assessor's office. If unsatisfied with the result, you can proceed to a formal appeal with the Board of Equalization.

Q: When must I file personal property declarations? A: Personal property declarations must be filed by March 1st annually. Forms are typically mailed out by February 1st.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest charges. The longer the delay, the higher the penalties, so it's important to pay by the December 31st deadline.

Q: How do I obtain a duplicate tax bill? A: Contact the St. Louis County Collector's office directly or visit their website to request a duplicate tax statement if you haven't received your original bill.

Q: Are senior citizens eligible for property tax relief? A: Missouri offers various programs for seniors including the Senior Citizens Property Tax Credit. Contact the assessor's office to learn about available programs and eligibility requirements.

Q: How do special assessments affect my property taxes? A: Special assessments for improvements like sidewalks, sewers, or street lighting are added to your regular property tax bill and become part of your total annual tax obligation.

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: St. Louis Cityauditor.mo.gov
02
Tax Doc
2025 Property Tax Rates for City of St Louisstlouis-mo.gov
03
County
St. Louis County Real & Personal Property Tax Rateseureka.mo.us
04
State
Appeal Dates and Deadlines - Real Estatestlouis-mo.gov
05
File Personal Property Declarationstlouiscountymo.gov
06
Tax Doc
Delinquent Property Tax Informationstlouiscountymo.gov
07
Tax Doc
DISABLED POW REAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONstlouiscountymo.gov
08
Property Exemptionsstlouiscountymo.gov
09
Homestead exemptionsenate.mo.gov
10
Tax Doc
Modifies several provisions of law concerning taxation ...senate.mo.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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