Statewide
January 1 is the car-tax date people miss
Missouri personal property tax looks at what you owned or held on January 1, which is why a sold car can still show up on that year's bill.
Missouri personal property tax is one of the fastest ways to confuse a new resident. The key date is January 1.
If you owned or held a taxable vehicle on January 1, selling it in April does not necessarily erase that tax year. The county may still bill you because the assessment date already happened.
This is also why license offices ask for personal property tax receipts or a statement of non-assessment. Vehicle registration and county tax records talk to each other.