Our Stand on Property Rights
Act for Missouri fundamentally believes that real property should not be taxed. If you are forced to pay a perpetual yearly fee to the government to keep your property, you do not truly own it.
Until we can eliminate these taxes entirely, valuations must be fixed at the original purchase price. The current system taxes "unrealized gains"—money you haven't actually made yet—which is fiscally immoral.
Why we support HJR 112: We are fighting an out-of-control government. We support this bill as a necessary shield to help Missourians stay in their homes today, while we organize for the bigger fight to eliminate real property taxes in Missouri completely.
HJR 112: Constitutional Amendment - Residential Assessment Caps
Sponsor: Jeff Coleman
SUPPORT
(with awareness of side effects)
HJR 112 is a proposed constitutional amendment to Article X, Section 4(b) that would cap how fast residential property assessments can go up in Missouri. After January 1, 2027, the “true value” of residential property would start with the most recent assessment and could only increase by the lesser of the change in the consumer price index (CPI) or 2% per year, except for new construction.
What Does This Bill Do?
- Assessment Freeze: Starting January 1, 2027, the “true value” for tax purposes must be the same as the value from the most recent previous assessment, breaking the link between sudden market spikes and tax bills.
- 2% / CPI Growth Cap: Annual increases in assessed value are strictly limited to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth or 2%, whichever is lower.
- New Construction Exception: The cap can be exceeded only to reflect value added from new construction or improvements as determined by the county appraisal system.
Constitutional or Critical Context
This amendment creates a "carve-out" from Missouri's standard uniform-tax rules specifically for residential property. By anchoring values to the last assessment rather than current market value, it moves Missouri toward an acquisition-value system (similar to California’s Prop 13) to protect families on fixed incomes from being taxed out of their homes due to inflation.
Red Flags & Recommended Amendments
Unequal Tax Burdens
Over time, similar houses may have vastly different tax bills depending on when they were purchased, as new buyers establish a higher "base" value than long-time owners.
Ambiguous "Improvements" Definition
The definition of "new construction or improvements" is left to county appraisal systems, creating potential for inconsistencies or disputes over what constitutes a taxable improvement versus maintenance.
Act for Missouri Recommendation:
HJR 112 is a focused, single-subject constitutional amendment that directly addresses one of the most painful ways government can hurt ordinary Missourians: unpredictable and steep rises in property tax assessments on their homes. It does not grow bureaucracy and gives families real protection by capping assessment growth. While it may create some fairness debates between long-term and new owners, this measure deserves active support from a pro-family, limited-government perspective.