"I Refuse to Accept Unjustness": Kansas City Shop Owner's Battle Against a Staggering $60,000 Tax Bill After Revitalizing a Neglected Neighborhood

When Chris Goode from Kansas City launched his juice store named Ruby Jean’s in honor of his deceased grandmother, his objective was straightforward: he wanted to introduce a healthier eating choice for his local area and assist in rejuvenating a economically disadvantaged part of town.

Fortunately, over time, the area has improved significantly. However, the issue remains that escalating real estate prices resulted in Goode facing an enormous $60,000 property tax bill, which he stated was beyond his financial means.

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Passionate about his enterprise, Goode stated he had no intention of backing down and was not planning to settle that account.

"I won't allow it. You can't force us to leave this place," he said firmly. told NBC News.

A huge financial hardship

In 2015, Goode initiated his venture to pay tribute to his late grandmother Ruby Jean, who succumbed to Type 2 diabetes at 61 years old when he was only 14. In 2017, he established a shop on Troost Avenue, and after half a decade, he acquired the property itself.

Historically, Troost Avenue served as Kansas City’s racial divide. Recently, however, upscale enterprises and condominium developments have emerged, infusing vitality into the area.

Sadly, when neighborhoods improve and become more appealing, property prices usually rise. Consequently, this increase in property value often leads to increased property tax rates.

This was the predicament Goode faced. According to what he shared with NBC News' Antonia Hylton, the county issued him a tax assessment that escalated the valuation of his property from $34,240 in 2022 to $271,040 in 2023.

Initially, he believed his staggering 657% tax hike must be a mistake. However, he soon understood this was part of a larger pattern — which he found infuriating.

"There’s someone mindlessly moving a pen across a sheet of paper without any engagement or awareness, having no link to the services we offer the city,” Goode stated.

When speaking to NBC News, Jackson County stated that Goode's hike was "justified and appropriate," noting that state legislation mandates the county to evaluate properties biennially. They further assert that adjusting property valuations according to current market conditions aids in rectifying longstanding systematic injustices.

This resulted in Goode facing a $60,000 tax bill which he claimed was beyond his financial means. The only alternative for him would be to attempt contesting the assessment or seeking a reduction.

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How should you respond when your property taxes go up?

Regardless of whether you have a residential home or a business premises, when your region experiences a fresh tax evaluation, you could face an escalation in your tax invoice. This occurs as your property tax statement is determined by multiplying the appraised worth of your property by the applicable local taxation percentage.

The timing of tax assessments varies based on where you live. In certain areas, these evaluations might occur annually.

Appealing your property tax rate isn’t an option, but you can contest your property tax assessment in situations similar to the one described. However, the procedure for this will differ depending on which county you’re in.

For certain locations, you might be able to finish the appeals process through an online platform. However, in different regions, you could be required to go to court for appealing your property tax assessment instead.

You must also verify the deadline for contesting a tax assessment in your region; this details can be obtained from your nearest tax assessing authority.

To effectively contest a tax assessment, you must demonstrate that the worth of your property is less than what the assessor believes it to be. This can be challenging when surrounding properties' values have increased, similar to the scenario mentioned earlier.

Typically, to succeed with a residential appeal, you must locate properties of comparable size and state that have been sold at a lower cost within the last three months.

For instance, suppose your house is valued at $450,000. If you discover that three comparable properties within close proximity have been sold between $380,000 and $390,000 during the last three months, you might stand a solid chance of successfully appealing the assessment.

However, if you cannot locate any properties that have sold for significantly lower prices, you might be out of options. Even though you could choose to employ your own appraiser or perhaps consult with an attorney to contest your property tax assessment, lacking comparable sales data might result in failure.

If you succeed with your appeal and get your property’s assessment reduced, this ought to lead to a decreased property tax bill. However, if your effort doesn’t pay off, you might be left with the obligation of paying a higher amount.

If you fail to settle your property tax bill, the outcome might be severe. When you fall behind on these payments, local authorities may attach a lien to your real estate. Should you continue without settling this obligation, it could ultimately culminate in losing your home through foreclosure.

If you’re facing a property tax bill that’s too expensive for you to cover, it’s wise to seek advice from a lawyer. They can guide you through your choices and possibly assist you in finding a resolution without having to lose your home.

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The content of this article serves solely as information and must not be interpreted as professional advice. No warranties or guarantees of any sort are made regarding the material presented herein.