Getting to Know Your Local Taxes
After tax season, we often get inquiries about taxes whether they be property, utility, sales, or income. The City of Maryland Heights is NOT involved in the assessment, billing or collection of property, income or other state and federal taxes. However, here are a few answers to common tax questions we receive:
If I own property in The City, how much of my taxes go to the City government?
The City of Maryland Heights levies no property tax on any residential or commercial property, real estate or personal. Residents and businesses owning property within Maryland Heights’ city limits pay NO property tax to the City.
If my property tax dollars don’t support city provided services, what services do they fund?
Unlike several other cities (see graph below), Maryland Heights does not have a property tax. On your property tax bill, every taxing jurisdiction is listed and includes special districts servicing the area such as schools, fire protection, sewer, community colleges and libraries.
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How are tax rates determined?
Although some limitations are defined by state statute, the local taxing districts set the tax rates. Generally, tax increases must be approved by voters within the district.
What is the sales tax rate and what services does it fund?
The City receives revenues from 3 different sales tax sources—a county-wide one-percent tax on retail sales that is distributed by municipality population, a half-cent municipal tax on retail sales that can only be used to fund stormwater control and/or park services, and a half-cent public safety sales tax. The State and St. Louis County levy sales taxes to fund a variety of services.
Currently, our sales tax rate is 8.24% except in special tax districts*.
How is the Maryland Heights Parks/Stormwater sales tax distributed?
Since 2015, all of this revenue has been distributed to the Parks Fund to fund recreation projects including the new community center, programming, trail expansion, Fee Fee Ballfields, Aquaport improvements and Sustainability Center. Stormwater projects are funded from the Capital Improvement Fund, which the Parks/Stormwater Sales Tax is also allocated to.
If I own property in The City, how much of my taxes go to the City government?
The City of Maryland Heights levies no property tax on any residential or commercial property, real estate or personal. Residents and businesses owning property within Maryland Heights’ city limits pay NO property tax to the City.
If my property tax dollars don’t support city provided services, what services do they fund?
Unlike several other cities (see graph below), Maryland Heights does not have a property tax. On your property tax bill, every taxing jurisdiction is listed and includes special districts servicing the area such as schools, fire protection, sewer, community colleges and libraries.
How are tax rates determined?
Although some limitations are defined by state statute, the local taxing districts set the tax rates. Generally, tax increases must be approved by voters within the district.
What is the sales tax rate and what services does it fund?
The City receives revenues from 3 different sales tax sources—a county-wide one-percent tax on retail sales that is distributed by municipality population, a half-cent municipal tax on retail sales that can only be used to fund stormwater control and/or park services, and a half-cent public safety sales tax. The State and St. Louis County levy sales taxes to fund a variety of services.
Currently, our sales tax rate is 8.24% except in special tax districts*.
How is the Maryland Heights Parks/Stormwater sales tax distributed?
Since 2015, all of this revenue has been distributed to the Parks Fund to fund recreation projects including the new community center, programming, trail expansion, Fee Fee Ballfields, Aquaport improvements and Sustainability Center. Stormwater projects are funded from the Capital Improvement Fund, which the Parks/Stormwater Sales Tax is also allocated to.