Cole County tax deadline falls on Friday

Larry Vincent
Larry Vincent

Cole County real estate and personal property tax bills for 2021 are due by Friday, the last day of the year.

While other county offices are closing Friday to observe the New Year’s holiday, the collector’s office, located on the first floor of the Courthouse Annex, will be open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

By law, tax payments must be received or postmarked by Dec. 31. Payments received or postmarked after that date will have penalty and interest fees added to them.

Any residents who have not received their tax bills can call the Cole County Collector’s Office at 573-634-9124.

Failure of the taxpayer to receive the notice does not relieve the taxpayer of any tax liability imposed by law, officials with the collector’s office said.

Also open Friday will be the county assessor’s office, located in the Carnegie Building on Adams Street; it will be open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Personal property tax bills mailed to residents should have included 2022 assessment forms. Assessment forms should be completed after Jan. 1 and must be returned to the assessor’s office by March 1.

Changes of address or vehicles should be reported on the 2021 assessment form, which should include all personal property owned Jan. 1, 2022.

Any residents who did not receive an assessment form or who have questions may call the assessor’s office at 573-634-9131.

The Cole County Collector’s Office took in more than $93.5 million in taxes for the fiscal year ending Feb. 28. County Collector Larry Vincent previously said he expects to collect around $92 million for this fiscal year.

The majority of real estate and personal property taxes collected — $72.1 million — went to public school districts around the county. The next largest portion — $4.8 million — went to cities, followed by road districts at $4.3 million and library districts at $3 million.

The assessor’s and collector’s offices will be closed Monday.