Vehicle Licensing

State Vehicle Requirements

Vehicle licensing and titling is handled by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR). Taxpayers should direct questions regarding licensing and titling to the DOR or to local motor vehicle branch offices.

Among other things, the State DOR will require that you provide a copy of your paid personal property tax receipt or statement of non assessment (Clearance) before being allowed to license or renew a vehicle registration. If you are seeking to renew your vehicle tags for a 2-year period, you will need to present paid receipts for the prior 2 tax years.

To obtain a duplicate of your original property tax receipt for free online, visit the Online Property Search program.

Or, you may obtain a duplicate of your original property tax receipt from our offices. There is a $1 fee for each duplicate receipt.

Online Renewal

To allow online renewal of your vehicle registration at the DOR website, Jackson County provides the DOR with paid personal property tax information for the last two tax years electronically every business day. If you pay your taxes after the submission of this file to the DOR, your tax payment will not be reflected in DOR records until the next submission. 

For example, if the County provides the information to the DOR on Friday, and you pay your taxes on Saturday, the DOR will not have your paid records until the County submits its new file Monday. Therefore, you will not be able to renew your vehicle registration online until the paid file is received and loaded by the DOR.

If you are renewing your vehicle registration in person or by mail, you will still need to produce a printed copy of your paid tax receipt(s) or statement of non assessment.

Notice

The State DOR will not notify us of any new vehicles you purchase or of any addresses or name changes listed with the DOR.

Statements of Non-Assessment

Statements of non-assessment can be obtained from the Assessment Department. A non-assessment is issued to County residents when they have no personal property tax obligation to any county in Missouri for the prior year. This certificate is used in lieu of a paid personal property tax receipt when registering a vehicle or renewing license plates. No fee is charged for a certificate of non-assessment.

A taxpayer is presumed to owe taxes on property unless the taxpayer demonstrates qualification for a certificate of non-assessment. To obtain a certificate of non-assessment, contact the Jackson County Assessment Department, 816-881-1330.

Missouri Vehicle Sales Taxes

Missouri vehicle sales tax and County personal property tax are 2 different types of tax.

Missouri Sales Tax - A One-Time Tax

Sales Tax is paid to the State, usually at the Department of Motor Vehicles, when the vehicle is first purchased.

Personal Property Tax - A Yearly Tax

Personal property tax is paid to Jackson County by December 31 of every year on every vehicle you owned on January 1. If you obtain a 2 year license plate with the State, you are still responsible to pay personal property tax each year by December 31 or interest and penalty will be applied to your account. It is your responsibility to notify the County when you first move here or if there is a change to your account.

 

FAQs

What items do I take with me to renew my license plates?

You will need:

- Paid personal property tax receipt(s) or statement of non-assessment as requested by the Department of Revenue
- Motor vehicle inspection slip, if required
- Proof of insurance
- Title or renewal notice, if applicable

For more information, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website.

I am renewing 2-year license plates. Which years’ personal property tax receipts do I need?

If you were assessed and paid taxes in Jackson County for the prior 2 years, you need the prior 2 years’ receipts. If you were assessed in another Missouri County, you should contact that county for copies of that county’s receipts. If you cannot locate your Jackson County tax receipt for the appropriate year, to reprint your Official Paid Tax Receipt, visit the Property Search program.

I need to license a car not included on my paid tax receipt. What do I do?

If you bought your car after January one of last year, use last year's receipt. Property taxes are not owed on a vehicle new to you until you've owned it on January 1. If you owned the vehicle on January one of last year and it is not listed on your receipt, or is incorrect on your receipt or statement, please contact the Assessment Department.

I recently moved to Jackson County from another state and have never paid personal property tax in Missouri. What do I need to do?

New residents moving to the County from another state will need vehicle registrations from the previous year (through January 1 of the current year), and/or they can provide any combination of these documents showing an out-of-state address for the past year through January 1:

  • Government ID
  • One of the vehicle documentation items below:
    • Title
    • Registration
    • One item for proof of “out of state” residence on January 1 of the previous year, from the list below. Please note that PO BOX addresses are not accepted for proof of residence.
      • Bank statement
      • Utility bill
      • Lease/mortgage statement
      • Credit card statement

 If you have questions, you will need to call 816-881-1330 or contact the Jackson County Assessment Department.

I recently moved to Jackson County from another county in Missouri. What do I need to do?

You will need these documents to license your vehicle:

  • Government ID
  • Tax receipt or waiver from your previous county
  • One of the vehicle documentation items below:
    • Title
    • Registration
    • Missouri license plate renewal card

It is important that you contact the Jackson County Assessment Department and let them know you are now a resident of Jackson County and need to be placed on the tax rolls. Contact the Assessment Department for more information.

I did not owe personal property taxes last year in Jackson County. How can I obtain my license plates?

The Motor Vehicle Bureau will accept a non-assessment form in place of a paid property tax receipt. This form states that you were neither assessed nor owe taxes in Jackson County. You may obtain a non-assessment form from the Assessment Department if:

- You are new to the state of Missouri
- You are licensing the first vehicle in your name
- And you do not have personal property tax obligation to any Missouri county

For additional information, contact the Assessment Department.

My leasing company pays my personal property taxes. What will I need to take to the license bureau?

You will need:

- Paid personal property tax receipt(s) listing the leased vehicle or statement of non-assessment as requested by the Department of Revenue
- Motor vehicle inspection slip, if required
- Proof of insurance
- Title or renewal notice, if applicable

For further information or updates, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website.

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