Gasconade County Assessor Paul Schulte’s office will be mailing out the 2020 personal property declaration forms to property owners. Forms will need to be returned before the March 1 deadline to avoid penalty fees.

It is important that taxpayers get these forms completed and returned, according to Schulte. Missouri Statute 137.280 calls for penalties to taxpayers for the failure to return the form based upon the total assessed value. Penalties are printed at the bottom on the back side of the form.

For those who were assessed last year, those assessments are printed on this year’s form. Using this information, the check boxes to the left of the items should be utilized for the items that are still owned and lines need to be drawn through items that are no longer owned as of Jan. 1, 2020.

Any new items need to be entered on the form in the correct category. The sooner the form is completed, the better chance it will be filled out correctly. County residents who have not received a form by Friday, Jan. 10, should contact the assessor’s office to request a form. It is the responsibility of the resident to notify the assessor’s office of a change in address.

Another option available to the public is to complete the filling of personal property online at gasconadecountyassessor.com. Personal identification numbers (PIN) can be found in the upper right corner of the assessment form.

ATVs and side-by-sides need to be listed on the personal property declaration form. Taxpayers will need a paid receipt to obtain a permit from the sheriff’s office to operate on a public road.

Items that are frequently missed by taxpayers are trailers — such as livestock, utility and boat trailers. These also need to be listed because the owner will need paid receipts when renewing plates.

Missed items, when added later, will incur penalties.

Taxpayers who are new residents of Gasconade County since Jan. 1, 2019, need to contact the assessor’s office for their personal property form. Also, individuals who are first-time property owners — such as young adults who acquired a vehicle for the first time during 2019 — need to file the declaration form.

A different form is being used for businesses. The annual cost of equipment purchased each year is what is to be reported. The cost must be reported, as well as the year purchased and the class life. It will be claimed on personal property exactly as it is claimed for income tax purposes.

The form will need to be signed, but it does not need to be notarized.

All inquiries should be directed to the Gasconade County Assessor’s Office, located at 119 East 1st Street, Room 23, Hermann, Mo., or by calling 573-286-3100 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.