September 19, 2023

The National Tax Commission votes against the increase in taxes on agricultural land

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri – The Three Members Missouri State Tax Commission (STC) approved Agriculture productive land values ​​remain stagnant for 2021-2022, which means that he will not recommend a property tax to augment.

State law requires the commission to establish the productivity values ​​of farmland every two years, which could lead to an increase in the property tax on farmland. An increase proposed by the JTS is subject to legislative approval.

But commissioners voted unanimously against increasing land productivity values ​​on Tuesday.

Commissioner Victor Callahan said some of the issues farmers have faced in recent years – such as flooding and a trade war with China – were not necessarily reflected in the University of Missouri study that STC used in his decision making, but weighed heavily on him.

“The problem with any formula is that it doesn’t say what’s going to happen next year,” Callahan told the Missouri Times. “Agriculture has had a very difficult time, it’s a big industry for Missouri, and these are clearly relevant factors that you need to consider.”

Several representatives of agricultural, agricultural and public service groups testified before the CTS earlier this month against a proposal to increase the value of land. They pointed to drought, flooding and other natural disasters that have taken a heavy toll on Missouri farmers in recent years.

“The difficult weather and financial conditions facing farmers this year, as well as the trade challenges over the past two years, have continued to have significant impacts on the agricultural economy, rural areas and the economic engine of our business. area, ”Brooks Hurst, a Tarkio farmer and president of the Missouri Soybean Association, told the Missouri Times. “We appreciate the awareness by the State Tax Commission of the challenges and its decision not to recommend any increase in farmland. “

The values ​​are:

  • 1st year: $ 1,035
  • 2nd year: $ 850
  • 3rd year: $ 645
  • 4th year: $ 405
  • 5th year: $ 191
  • 6th year: $ 147
  • 7th year: $ 73
  • 8th year: $ 30

At the hearing earlier this month, Chariton County assessor Darrin Gladbach suggested that property taxes were too low and that commissioners had a legal obligation to increase productivity values ​​if necessary. .

The last time the STC approved an increase, which the legislature approved, was in 2015. In addition to Callahan, the STC includes President Bruce Davis and Commissioner Will Kraus.

The STC is made up of President Bruce Davis and Commissioners Victor Callahan and Will Kraus.

Farm Groups, Utilities Call on Missouri State Tax Commission Not to Increase Taxes on Farmland