Tax Sale Help
By John Sharp
Most Jackson County homeowners whose houses are scheduled to be sold to the highest bidders at tax sales beginning August 9 & 16 to recover delinquent property taxes now have the option of entering into extended installment contracts to pay their delinquent taxes and avoid losing their homes.
In announcing the new extended installment contracts, County Executive Frank White, Jr., said persons shouldn’t fear losing their homes during a pandemic.
“I appreciate the effort of our Collection Department to make extended installment contracts an available option,” White said, “and encourage at-risk homeowners to apply.”
To qualify, homeowners’ houses must be scheduled for next month’s delinquent tax sales. They must show proof they live in an owner-occupied residential property and must not have defaulted on a county installment payment contract in the last two years. Only one extended installment contract is allowed per taxpayer.
The extended installment contracts must be signed by homeowners and received by the Collection Department prior to the beginning of the delinquent tax sale involving their homes.
Qualified homeowners will make 11 equal monthly payments to pay off their delinquent taxes, and the first payment will not be due until January 2022. No down payments are required to enter into the installment contracts, although homeowners may voluntarily agree to make down payments and early payments to reduce interest accrual.
There were no delinquent tax sales last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so this year’s sales involve properties that became delinquent for three years in 2020 and 2021.
Interested homeowners can ask questions about applying for an extended installment contract by calling 816-881-3232 or emailing collections@jacksongov.org.
Homeowners may sign their contracts at the Kansas City County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th St., during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. before the start of the delinquent tax sale that includes their property. For the sale beginning August 9, contracts must be signed by Friday, August 6, and for the sale beginning August 16, they must be signed by Friday, August 13.
If homeowners are unable to come in to the courthouse, the Collection Department will mail or email them a contract which must be signed and mailed back with any required documentation in time to be received by the department before the applicable tax sale begins.