Legal Notice of Pendency of Class Action
If you owned residential property in Jackson County, Missouri and paid 2023 property taxes based on a more-than-15% increased valuation, your legal rights may be affected.
A Missouri Court has certified a class action lawsuit concerning the 2023 reassessment of residential property in Jackson County. The lawsuit alleges that many residential property assessments increased by more than 15% in violation of Missouri law. The lawsuit seeks refunds of overpaid property taxes and additional money damages.
Your legal rights are affected whether you act or not. Please read this notice carefully.
— This is not a solicitation from a lawyer —
About the Case
What is this case about?
Plaintiffs in this case claim that any increase to residential property in the 2023 reassessment above 15% of the prior value, except for increases due solely to new construction or improvements, was unlawful. Plaintiffs claim that these unlawful increases in assessed values:
- Resulted in a violation of Article X, Section 22(a) of the Missouri Constitution (the “Hancock Amendment”);
- Caused taxes paid based on these unlawful increases to be done so mistakenly or erroneously, thereby entitling class members to statutory refunds;
- Should compel Defendants to obey the State Tax Commission's August 6, 2024 Order; and
- Resulted in Defendants waiving sovereign immunity by acquiring insurance, thereby allowing class members to proceed with claims for negligence.
On April 2, 2026, the Court certified the Class and appointed Class Counsel. The Court has not yet entered final judgment on any of the Class's claims.
Who Is Included
Am I a member of the Class?
The Court-certified Class is defined as:
“All owners of residential real property in Jackson County, Missouri who paid real property taxes based on a 2023 assessed valuation that increased by more than fifteen percent (15%) over the prior assessment cycle, excluding increases due solely to new construction or improvements.”
If you are not sure whether you qualify, review the Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Claims Administrator.
Your Rights & Options
Your legal rights and options in this case
You have three options. Each has consequences for your legal rights. Please review carefully.
Do Nothing
You will be part of this lawsuit. You must accept the outcome of this lawsuit, regardless of whether it is in favor of Plaintiffs or the Defendants. You will not be personally responsible for the Class lawyers' fees or costs.
Stay in the Class but Get Your Own Lawyer
You will still be part of this lawsuit, but you can hire your own lawyer to represent you. You must pay for your lawyer's fees and costs.
Exclude Yourself
This is your only option if you do not want to be bound by the outcome of this lawsuit. Because the Court certified certain claims for declaratory and injunctive relief under Missouri Rule 52.08(b)(2), those claims apply to all class members, and you cannot opt out of them. However, you may request exclusion from the claims seeking monetary relief.
The exclusion deadline is July 10, 2026. See the Important Dates page for the trial schedule.
Class Counsel
Represented by Humphrey, Farrington & McClain, P.C.
On April 2, 2026, the Court appointed attorneys from HFM to serve as Class Counsel in this litigation. HFM is a Kansas City–area trial firm with decades of experience prosecuting large-scale, complex cases against corporate and governmental defendants.