Tax Sale FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- A tax sale is an auction of parcels of property that have delinquent taxes.
- Butler County’s annual tax sale auction is the 4th Monday of August and begins at 10 a.m. on the Butler County Courthouse steps.
- The parcels up for tax sale will be published 3 times in local print news media, in The Daily American Republic.
- The auction list is first published approximately 3 weeks before the sale.
- There is a registration and affidavit form online.
No, you cannot register by mail.
Either cash or money order is due at time of sale.
This is an open public auction.
- No, all liens remain on the property and it’s the buyer's responsibility to take care of those with each entity.
- The new owner cannot take possession of the property until 1 year from the date the confirmation of sale is filed.
- There is an annual interest rate of 10% earned on the property during the redemption period.
No, the county does not assist with foreclosures.
You will receive a receipt showing the amount you paid. At the end of the redemption period, the county will issue a collector's deed.
No, we do not allow these investments
The available properties are published 2 to 3 weeks before the tax sale. You may obtain a copy by contacting the newspaper.
Yes you can get those for $5 per book in the Collector's Office.
There are no properties available.
If there is any property that wasn't sold or bid on it will be available in the next year's tax sale. After it's been published 3 years, it may be sold over the counter.
Merchant Licenses
Merchant Licenses
Merchant Definition
Missouri Law 150.010 RSMo 1994 indicates that every person, corporation, co-partnership, or association of persons who deals in selling goods, wares, and merchandise at any store, stand or place occupied for that purpose is a merchant.
When to Get a Merchants License
A Merchants License is required when all of the following are true:
- You own or operate a business
- The business is located in Butler County, either within or outside the city limits of any incorporated area
- There is a sales tax number issued to the business by the Missouri Department of Revenue
City Licensing Requirements
If your business is within the city limits, you should also check with the city for their licensing requirements.
Businesses That Do Not Require a License
You do not need a Merchants License if any of the following apply:
- You are a registered motor vehicle dealer and your primary business is selling motor vehicles
- You are a physician, dentist, or veterinarian selling medicines, at either wholesale or retail, used in your practice
- You are a farmer who grows or processes any article of farm produce or farm products on your farm, as long as you do not have a regular stand or place of business away from your farm
How to Get Merchants License
To get a Merchants License, visit the Butler County Collector’s Office or call 573-686-8088 for a Merchants License Registration Form (PDF).
State Sales Tax Number
Your state sales tax number must be included on the form. If you need more information regarding state sales taxes, please contact the Missouri Department of Revenue in Jefferson City at 573-751-5860.
Submitting the Form
Return the completed form and check for $25 made out to Butler County Collector to the Collector’s office at:
100 N Main Street
Room 105
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Methods of Payment
For more information on paying for licenses and tax bills, see our Methods of Payment page.
Receiving Your License
Your validated license will be mailed to you at the address included on the application.
Additional Licenses
If your business is located within any incorporated area within Butler County, please contact the local clerk to determine what, if any, licenses are required.
- Fisk City Collector - 573-967-3810
- Neelyville City Collector - 573-989-6222
- Poplar Bluff City Collector - 573-686-8616
- Qulin City Collector - 573-328-4488
Methods of Payment
Methods of Payment
Payment Drop Box
Make your tax payment 24 hours a day. Simply place your check or money order in a sealed envelope (do not put cash in the drop box) along with the tear-off payment stub from the tax bill and drop it in the box.
Location
The Payment Drop Box is located on the steps of the east side of the Butler County Courthouse at 100 North Main Street, Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
Deadline
All payments deposited in the Payment Drop Box by 11:59 p.m. on the payment due date will be accepted without penalty. Payments deposited after the
due date will be subject to a penalty as required by state law.
Receipt
We will mail a paid receipt to the address on the tax account.
Tax Installment Program
Tax Installment Program
Monthly Budget Pay Plan
The Monthly Budget Pay Plan (Budget Plan) is a free service that is offered by the Butler County Collector’s Office to help taxpayers budget their tax payments. Many people prefer to budget their money on a monthly basis. They allow so much for the house payments, the car payment, groceries, phone bill and so on. Now you can pay your real estate or personal property taxes each month too and avoid being surprised when the tax bill shows up.
Monthly Payments
You make monthly payments that are then applied to your tax bill. This program is designed to help you plan and save for your taxes before they are due. To sign up now for the Monthly Budget Pay Plan, please download the Monthly Budget Pay Plan Authorization form for the tax account you wish to pay monthly, complete the form and return to the Butler County Collector’s Office.
More Information
Should you have questions or require additional information please feel free to email or call the office at 573-686-8088.
Tax Entities & Rates
Tax Entities & Rates
Setting Tax Rates
Property tax rates are set each year by local taxing jurisdictions within the limits set by the Missouri Constitution and laws. Rates are based on the revenues that had been permitted for the prior year with an allowance for growth based on the rate of inflation.
Rate Calculation
Projected revenue needs for the current taxable year are divided by assessed valuation of the taxing jurisdiction with values from new construction and improvements, and any increments in personal property valuation held aside. The resulting tax rate becomes the permitted rate for the year if it falls within the ceiling permitted that local government.
Property Tax Formula
Property taxes are found using this formula: Property Tax = (Assessed Value/100) * Tax Rate
Levying Taxes
Taxes are levied against property based on the rates as permitted by voters, collected by the collector and then distributed back to the taxing entities. In other words, the Butler County Collector bills and collects property taxes on behalf of the taxing entities within the county.
Total Tax Rate
The total tax rate is based on property location and applicable taxing entities.
Butler County Collector
Emily Parks
County Collector
Email: collector@butlercountymo.com
Phone: 573-686-8088
Fax: 573-778-8039
Butler County Collector
100 N Main Street
Room 105
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.