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PrintCOLUMBIA — Personal property and real estate taxes are due by the end of the day Saturday.
Roger B. Wilson Boone County Government Center will be an end-of-the-year stop for many people who still need to pay their taxes.
Boone County Collector Patricia Lensmeyer said penalties and late fees will be applied to the bill if they are not paid on time in full. Penalties start at 2 percent a month beginning in January and can be up to 18 percent a year. An additional 7 percent is added at the time the bill is paid.
Ninety-eight percent of residents pay by the due date. Even with the economy's below-average performance, there has not been a decline of taxes paid.
"If you haven't received a tax bill, it's very important you call immediately," Lensmeyer said.
She said people are still able to email their questions, but a phone call is recommended for a quicker reply. Also, she advised mailing the bill or using the drop box if individuals do not have time to wait.
This year the office has five windows to make the paying process more efficient by cutting down the wait in line. The collector's office doubles in staff from mid-November until mid-January — this year it added seven temporary employees.
On Nov. 1 a total of 150,000 bills were sent out with approximately $150 million billed out. While some residents wait until the last minute, Lensmeyer said some people paid within 24 hours of the mailing date.
"I encourage people to pay early to fix corrections or problems," Lensmeyer said.
She said common mistakes on bills are: the amount is not correct, checks are unsigned, payment is not made in full or checks are invalid.
Taxes are assessed on personal property owned on Jan. 1, and taxes are billed in November of the same year, according to the website.
The website lists six different ways to pay:
- U.S. mail: Send to Boone County Collector, Boone County Government Center, 801 E. Walnut St., Room 118, Columbia, MO 65201. The bill must be postmarked by Dec. 31, and the post office will close around noon.
- Online: Go to the Boone County Collector's website at showmeboone.com/collector.
- In person: Pay at the Boone County Government Center. The Boone County Collector's Office hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Friday and is closed Saturday for the New Year's holiday.
- Drop box: Located at the corner of Ninth and Ash streets under the sheltered area at the east entrance to the Boone County Government Center. The drop box is emptied at midnight.
- Phone: Call the 24-hour toll-free number at 877-690-3729. Make sure to have the property bill number ready and the Boone County jurisdiction code: 3517.
- Fax: 886-4294
Types of payments accepted are bank online bill pay, credit card, check, money order and e-check. Cash is only accepted in person. Extra fees are charged on credit card, e-check and phone payments.
For more information, call the Boone County Collector's Office at 886-4285 or go to its website.
Show Me the Errors 
Comments
I went ahead and added another $25 to my property tax to cover the Kronke's tab. Any want to help out the Laurie's?
Theirs might be around $22
Thanks for reminding me about the gun to my head that prevents me from owning anything without paying rent on it in perpetuity to the unproductive, governing class. It gives me a chance to imagine what a cooperative, peaceful society would look like in absence of this theft. When those in society condone theft as a beneficial system, it will permeate all aspects of their life, until there are nothing left but thieves looking to loot from each other (sound familiar?).
If we aren't there yet, it won't be long. As for those who will state "we need the money," well, there are better ways. As for those who say I "owe" society, well, there are other ways for me to make the world a better place without being stolen from.
Simply put, not only does external government not equal society, the actions of its inhabitants are nothing but the most anti-social behavior possible, where voluntary cooperation is replaced by violent coercion.
Does my 3,000-square-foot house in an nice neighborhood really consume more public resources in a year than a 1,000-square-foot home on Ash?
@Richard: "...where voluntary cooperation is replaced by violent coercion." --Just remember, whatever YOU think the government *should* do, meets the same criteria.
@Jimmy: Clearly, your opulent mansion labels you as an Economic Terrorist, consuming FAR more resources than average, thereby depriving others in need. Babies are starving because of your 3000 sq ft house, Jimmy. Babies are starving!