My Ideas for Change

• If it's still the largest in the state or even larger than average, return some of the Boone County assessor's surplus to taxpayers. They can invest their money better than we can.
  
• Avoid huge tax windfalls or sudden tax losses with consistent reassessments that accurately reflect property values, up OR down.
  
• Rethink the vehicle tax based on vehicle identification numbers or VINs. That policy change led to a tax increase for thousands of hard-working Boone County residents. Tax increases should be legislated and approved by the people, but my opponent made this increase on his own. I believe in Taxation WITH Representation.
  
• Protect first time homebuyers by abolishing the Certificate of Value that everyone gets from the assessor after they buy property. It is an unnecessary burden on homeowners and employees of the assessor's office.
  
• My opponent has lost several large, high profile tax appeals that tied up school funding in escrow for years and helped kill high-paying jobs. I want to carefully study those appeals and others, to make sure the assessor's office has learned from its mistakes. We can't afford not to do the job right the first time.
  
• My opponent uses a poorly advertised informal office appeal for taxpayers to appeal their taxes. It's legal, but few people know about it. Those who do have an unfair advantage. I've only seen it mentioned in the Columbia Tribune once in ten years. I want to make sure that all appeals processes are open, well-advertised and transparent.
  
• I will use best practices among professional appraisers for special property types, such as historic property.
  
• I want to strive for assessment consistency and treat everyone fairly. That means not over-appraising homes in low-income neighborhoods, for instance.
  
• The Board of Equalization that hears property tax appeals must consist of three property owning, taxpaying citizens. But in Boone County, the Board of Equalization is staffed by county commissioners AND the county assessor -- the foxes guarding the henhouse. I strongly support a citizens-only board. Possible board members might be a certified appraiser, real estate agent, and homeowner.
  
  Please let me know which ideas most appeal to you. Reach me at 573-657-9521 or mailto:bishopforboone@yahoo.com.

Meet Me at the Centralia Kiwanis Club

I'll be at the Centralia Kiwanis Club at Noon,

Thursday, May 15: Barbara Bishop -- Why I Want to Be Your New Assessor

Barb Bishop: Tips for Making Tax Time Less Taxing

It's that time again -- April 15th, when Federal and State income taxes come due for another year.

So let's put those property taxes to work!

Boone County assessor candidate Barb Bishop would like to remind that property taxes are tax deductible and that senior citizens and disabled persons may be eligible for property tax and rent credits through the State of Missouri.

"I think it's important that government help keep people informed," Bishop said. "Part of that role is keeping people informed about government itself."

"The Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim gives credit to certain senior citizens and 100 percent disabled individuals for a portion of the real estate taxes or rent they have paid for the year," according to the Missouri Department of Revenue. "The credit is for a maximum of $750 and can only be claimed on the home they occupied during the period being claimed. The actual credit is based on the amount of real estate taxes or rent paid and total household income."

Now a tax credit is different from a tax deduction. A credit comes right off the tax owed.
A deduction comes off taxable income. Real estate and personal property taxes are deductible on Federal income tax form 1040.

"Real property taxes that are subject to state, local, or foreign property tax are deductible in the year you pay or accrue them," according to the IRS. "Personal property taxes are deductible if the tax is imposed on a yearly basis and is based on the assessed value of the property."

Not deductible: Taxes not based on the value of the property and local taxes imposed for the sake of improvement, such as for streets, sidewalks, and sewer lines.

For more information on property tax credits and deductions, please visit:

Missouri Property Tax Credit

Deductible Real Property Taxes


Contact Barb