STATE TAX COMMISSION OF MISSOURI
| LON & KENDA SIEBENALER | ) | ||
| ) | |||
| Complainants, | ) | ||
| ) | |||
| v. | ) | Appeal No. 18-79506 | |
| ) | Account 1-15706-0 | ||
| RITA LEMMON, ASSESSOR | ) | 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab SLT | |
| POLK COUNTY, MISSOURI | ) | ||
| ) | |||
| Respondent. | ) |
DECISION AND ORDER
HOLDING
The assessment made by Rita Lemmon, Assessor of Polk County, Missouri (Respondent), is AFFIRMED. Complainants Lon and Kenda Siebenaler (Complainants) did not present substantial and persuasive evidence to establish the true value in money (TVM) of the subject property as of January 1, 2018.
Complainants appeared pro se.
Respondent appeared pro se.
Case heard and decided by Senior Hearing Officer John J. Treu (Hearing Officer).
ISSUE
Complainants appealed the TVM of one motor vehicle, a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab SLT, solely on the ground of overvaluation. Respondent initially set the TVM of the subject vehicle at $9,525. Respondent subsequently changed the TVM of the subject vehicle to $8,575, after considering the rough condition of the subject vehicle, pursuant to an Order of the Polk County Commission. The State Tax Commission (STC) takes this appeal to determine the TVM for the subject property as of January 1, 2018.
The Hearing Officer, having considered all of the competent evidence upon the whole record, enters the following Decision and Order.
FINDINGS OF FACT
- Jurisdiction over this appeal is proper. Complainants timely appealed to the STC.
- Evidentiary Hearing. The issue of overvaluation was presented at an evidentiary hearing on February 15, 2019, at the Polk County Courthouse, Bolivar Missouri.
- Identification of Subject Property. The subject vehicle was valued by Respondent under account number 1-15706-0. (Complaint for Review)
- Description of Subject Property. The vehicle is a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab SLT.
- Respondent initially set the TVM of the subject vehicle at $9,525. Respondent subsequently changed the TVM of the subject vehicle to $8,575, as of January 1, 2018 after considering the rough condition of the subject vehicle. The change was made pursuant to an Order of the Polk County Commission.
- Board of Equalization (BOE). No BOE proceeding occurred. Complainants were notified of the valuation of their vehicles upon receiving their property tax bill.
- Complainants’ Evidence. Complainants asserted that the subject vehicle was overvalued and advocated a TVM of $6,325 to $6,825. To support their assertion, Complainants offered their direct testimony and the following exhibit:
| Exhibit | Description | Ruling |
| A | Manheim Market Report as of February 14, 2019 | Admitted |
| B | CAPS Marker Report as of February 14, 2019 | Admitted |
| C | Vehicle Registration Receipt & Missouri Motor Vehicle Inspection Approval Notice dated 12/14/2017 | Admitted |
Complainants testified regarding the high mileage on the subject vehicle. Exhibit C was offered as evidence of the mileage on the subject vehicle of 257,970 as of 12/14/2017.
- Respondent’s Evidence. Respondent offered the following evidence:
| Exhibit | Description | Ruling |
| 1 | 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab ST (average condition) | Admitted |
| 2 | 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab SLT (rough condition) | Admitted |
| 3 | Polk County Commission Order | Admitted |
Respondent testified that the property was initially valued by utilizing the average trade in value of a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab ST vehicle published in the October 2017 issue of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) Official Used Car Guide. Respondent testified she later considered the rough condition of the subject vehicle and Complainants’ assertion that the vehicle was actually a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab SLT and therefore changed the value, also utilizing the October 2017 issue of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) Official Used Car Guide.
- TVM Not Established. Complainants’ evidence was not substantial and persuasive to establish the TVM of the subject vehicle on January 1, 2018.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DECISION
Jurisdiction
The Commission has jurisdiction to hear this appeal and correct any assessment which is shown to be unlawful, unfair, arbitrary, or capricious, including the application of any abatement. The Hearing Officer shall issue a decision and order affirming, modifying or reversing the determination of the Board of Equalization, and correcting any assessment which is unlawful, unfair, improper, arbitrary, or capricious. Article X, Section 14, Mo. Const. of 1945; Sections 138.430, 138.431, 138.431.4, RSMo.
Basis of Assessment
The Constitution mandates that real property and tangible personal property be assessed at its value or such percentage of its value as may be fixed by law for each class and for each subclass. Article X, Sections 4(a) and 4(b), Mo. Const. of 1945. The constitutional mandate is to find the true value in money for the property under appeal. By statute, real property and tangible personal property are assessed at set percentages of true value in money: residential property at 19%; commercial property at 32%; and agricultural property at 12%. Section 137.115.5 RSMo.
Valuation of Motor Vehicles
Pursuant to Section 137.115.9 RSMo “[t]he assessor of each county and each city not within a county shall use the trade-in value published in the October issue of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association Official Used Car Guide, or its successor publication, as the recommended guide of information for determining the true value of the motor vehicles described in such publication. The assessor shall not use a value that is greater than the average trade-in value in determining the true value of the vehicle without performing a physical inspection of the motor vehicle. …”
Investigation by Hearing Officer
In order to investigate appeals filed with the Commission, the Hearing Officer may inquire of the owner of the property or of any other party to the appeal regarding any matter or issue relevant to the valuation, subclassification, or assessment of the property. Section 138.430.2 RSMo. The Hearing Officer’s decision regarding the assessment or valuation of the property may be based solely upon his inquiry and any evidence presented by the parties or based solely upon evidence presented by the parties. Id.
Complainants’ Burden of Proof
To obtain a reduction in assessed valuation based upon alleged overvaluation, a Complainant must prove the true value in money of the subject property on the subject tax day. Hermel, Inc., v. State Tax Commission, 564 S.W.2d 888, 897 (Mo. banc 1978). True value in money is defined as the price that the subject property would bring when offered for sale by one willing but not obligated to sell it and bought by one willing or desirous to purchase but not compelled to do so. Rinehart v. Bateman, 363 S.W.3d 357, 365 (Mo. App. W.D. 2012); Cohen v. Bushmeyer, 251 S.W.3d 345, 348 (Mo. App. E.D. 2008); Green County v. Hermel, Inc., 511 S.W.2d 762, 771 (Mo. 1974). True value in money is defined in terms of value in exchange and not in terms of value in use. Stephen & Stephen Properties, Inc. v. State Tax Commission, 499 S.W.2d 798, 801-803 (Mo. 1973). In sum, true value in money is the fair market value of the subject property on the valuation date. Hermel, Inc., 564 S.W.2d at 897.
To prove TVM, substantial and persuasive evidence must be presented. Substantial evidence can be defined as such relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Cupples Hesse Corp. v. State Tax Commission, 329 S.W.2d 696, 702 (Mo. 1959). Persuasive evidence is evidence that has sufficient weight and probative value to convince the trier of fact. Cupples Hesse Corp., 329 S.W.2d at 702. The persuasiveness of evidence does not depend on the quantity or amount thereof but on its effect in inducing belief. Brooks v. General Motors Assembly Division, 527 S.W.2d 50, 53 (Mo. App. 1975). See also, Westwood Partnership v. Gogarty, 103 S.W.3d 152 (Mo. App. E.D. 2003); Daly v. P.D. George Co., 77 S.W.3d 645 (Mo. App E.D. 2002); Reeves v. Snider, 115 S.W.3d 375 (Mo. App. S.D. 2003).
There is no presumption that the taxpayer’s opinion is correct. The taxpayer in a Commission appeal still bears the burden of proof. The taxpayer is the moving party seeking affirmative relief. Therefore, the Complainant bears the burden of proving the vital elements of the case, i.e., the assessment was “unlawful, unfair, improper, arbitrary or capricious.” Westwood Partnership, 103 S.W.3d 152 (Mo. App. E.D. 2003); Daly v. P.D. George Co., 77 S.W.3d 645 (Mo. App E.D. 2002); Reeves v. Snider, 115 S.W.3d 375 (Mo. App. S.D. 2003); Industrial Development Authority of Kansas City v. State Tax Commission of Missouri, 804 S.W.2d 387, 392 (Mo. App. W.D. 1991).
Generally, a property owner, while not an expert, is competent to testify to the reasonable market value of his own property. Cohen, 251 S.W.3d at 348-49; Carmel Energy, Inc v. Fritter, 827 S.W.2d 780, 783 (Mo. App. W.D. 1992). “However, when an owner’s opinion is based on improper elements or foundation, his opinion loses its probative value.” Carmel Energy, Inc., 827 S.W.2d at 783. A taxpayer does not meet his burden if evidence on any essential element of his case leaves the Commission “in the nebulous twilight of speculation, conjecture and surmise.” See Rossman v. G.G.C. Corp. of Missouri, 596 S.W.2d 469, 471 (Mo. App. E.D. 1980)
Weight to be Given Evidence
The Hearing Officer is not bound by any single formula, rule or method in determining true value in money and is free to consider all pertinent facts and estimates and give them such weight as reasonable they may be deemed entitled. The relative weight to be accorded any relevant factor in a particular case is for the Hearing officer to decide. St. Louis County v. Security Bohomme, Inc., 558 S.W.2d 655, 659 (Mo. banc 1977); St. Louis County v. STC, 515 S.W.2d 446, 450 (Mo. 1974); Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company v. STC, 436 S.W.2d 650 (Mo. 1968).
The Hearing Officer, as the trier of fact, may consider the testimony of an expert witness and give it as much weight and credit as deemed necessary when viewed in connection with all other circumstances. Beardsley v. Beardsley, 819 S.W.2d 400, 403 (Mo. App. W.D. 1991). The Hearing Officer, as the trier of fact, is not bound by the opinions of experts but may believe all or none of the expert’s testimony or accept it in part or reject it in part. Exchange Bank of Missouri v. Gerlt, 367 S.W.3d 132, 135-36 (Mo. App. W.D. 2012)
Discussion
Complainants’ evidence was neither substantial nor persuasive to support an opinion as to the TVM of the subject vehicle as of January 1, 2018. Although Complainants testified about the current condition of the subject vehicle, including the mileage, Complainants presented no evidence of the TVM of the subject vehicle on January 1, 2018, the applicable date of valuation. Complainants offered no evidence of an appropriate high mileage deduction on the subject property as of January 1, 2018. To set a TVM other than that set by Respondent, substantial and persuasive evidence of the TVM of the subject vehicles on January 1, 2018, was required. No such evidence was offered by Complainants. The Hearing Officer would be required to resort to speculation and conjecture to determine a value of the vehicle as of January 1, 2018. Therefore, Complainants did not fulfill their burden of proof.
ORDER
The TVM for the subject vehicle as determined by Respondent is AFFIRMED. The assessed value for the subject vehicle is $2,860 ($8,575 TVM).
Application for Review
A party may file with the Commission an application for review of this decision within thirty days of the mailing date set forth in the Certificate of Service for this Decision. The application shall contain specific facts or law as grounds upon which it is claimed the decision is erroneous. Said application must be in writing addressed to the State Tax Commission of Missouri, P.O. Box 146, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0146, or emailed to Legal@stc.mo.gov, and a copy of said application must be sent to each person listed below in the certificate of service.
Failure to state specific facts or law upon which the application for review is based will result in summary denial. Section 138.432, RSMo.
Disputed Taxes
The Collector of Polk County, as well as the collectors of all affected political subdivisions therein, shall continue to hold the disputed taxes pending the possible filing of an Application for Review, unless said taxes have been disbursed pursuant to a court order under the provisions of Section 139.031.8 RSMo.
Any Finding of Fact which is a Conclusion of Law or Decision shall be so deemed. Any Decision which is a Finding of Fact or Conclusion of Law shall be so deemed.
SO ORDERED, February 22, 2019.
STATE TAX COMMISSION OF MISSOURI
John J. Treu
Senior Hearing Officer
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing has been sent electronically or mailed postage prepaid this 22nd day of February 2019, to: Complainant(s) and/or Counsel for Complainant(s), the County Assessor and/or Counsel for Respondent and County Collector.
Jacklyn Wood
Legal Coordinator