PETITION FOR REVIEW OF STATE TAX ASSESSMENT

Before the Missouri State Tax Tribunal*
(the “Tribunal”)

* [// GUIDANCE: Missouri appeals of state-imposed income, sales/use, and similar taxes are typically filed with the Administrative Hearing Commission (“AHC”); real and personal property valuation appeals are generally filed with the State Tax Commission (“STC”). Insert the correct forum name based on the type of tax at issue. The generic term “Tribunal” is used throughout this template for ease of cross-reference.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Operative Provisions
4. Representations & Warranties
5. Covenants & Restrictions
6. Default & Remedies
7. Risk Allocation
8. Dispute Resolution
9. General Provisions
10. Execution Block

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

1.1 Title and Parties

PETITION FOR REVIEW (the “Petition”) of the tax assessment issued to [TAXPAYER LEGAL NAME], a [state of organization] [entity type/individual] (“Petitioner”), against [MISSOURI DIRECTOR OF REVENUE / COUNTY ASSESSOR / COLLECTOR] (“Respondent”).

1.2 Recitals

A. On [DATE OF ASSESSMENT NOTICE] Respondent issued Assessment No. [ASSESSMENT NUMBER] (the “Assessment”) asserting tax liability in the amount of $[AMOUNT] for the period [TAX PERIOD] (the “Tax Period”).
B. Petitioner timely files this Petition within [STATUTORY DEADLINE FOR APPEAL] of the Assessment.
C. Petitioner seeks review and redetermination of the Assessment, a stay of collection activity during the pendency of this appeal, and all other relief as set forth herein.

1.3 Effective Date & Jurisdiction

This Petition is deemed filed as of [DATE FILE-STAMPED BY TRIBUNAL] (the “Effective Date”) and is governed by the tax laws, procedural rules, and administrative regulations of the State of Missouri (“Governing Law”).

2. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Petition, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below. Defined terms appear in alphabetical order; cross-references in parentheses show the principal section(s) in which each term is used.

“Assessment” – The notice of assessment described in Recital A. (Sec. 1.2, 3.1)

“Burden of Proof” – The statutory burden placed on the taxpayer to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the Assessment is erroneous. (Sec. 7.1)

“Collection Stay” – The suspension of enforced collection activity on the Assessment during the pendency of this appeal, subject to statutory conditions. (Sec. 3.3)

“Petitioner” – The taxpayer identified in Sec. 1.1.

“Respondent” – The taxing authority identified in Sec. 1.1.

“Tribunal” – The administrative body with jurisdiction over this appeal. (Sec. 8.2)

3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 Statement of Issues

Petitioner contests the Assessment on the following grounds:
a. [GROUND 1 – e.g., Misapplication of Tax Rate]
b. [GROUND 2 – e.g., Disallowance of Exemption/Credit]
c. [GROUND 3 – e.g., Incorrect Valuation of Property]

3.2 Relief Requested

Petitioner respectfully requests that the Tribunal:
1. Determine that the correct tax due for the Tax Period is $[CORRECTED AMOUNT] (or such other amount as the Tribunal deems proper);
2. Abate any penalties and statutory interest to the extent permissible;
3. Order the immediate refund of any amounts over-paid; and
4. Grant such additional or alternative relief as justice requires.

3.3 Request for Collection Stay

Pursuant to Missouri law and Tribunal Rule [INSERT RULE NUMBER, if known], Petitioner requests an automatic stay of enforced collection activity on the Assessment pending final disposition of this Petition.

[// GUIDANCE: Missouri statutes generally permit a stay upon timely filing of an appeal and the posting of a bond or other security in certain circumstances. Customize Section 3.3 to address bond requirements, escrow, or other statutory pre-requisites applicable to the specific tax and Tribunal.]

3.4 Conditions Precedent

All conditions precedent to filing this Petition—including exhaustion of administrative review, timely payment under protest (if applicable), and posting of any required security—have been satisfied, waived, or are inapplicable.

4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

4.1 Authority. Petitioner has full legal capacity and authority to file and prosecute this Petition.

4.2 Accuracy of Information. All factual statements herein and in supporting exhibits are true, correct, and complete to the best of Petitioner’s knowledge, information, and belief.

4.3 Compliance. Petitioner has complied with all procedural and jurisdictional requirements for invoking the Tribunal’s review authority.

4.4 Survival. The representations and warranties in this Section 4 survive dismissal, withdrawal, settlement, or final adjudication of this Petition to the extent necessary to enforce any order or judgment entered herein.

5. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS

5.1 Cooperation. Petitioner shall promptly provide Respondent and the Tribunal with all documents and information reasonably requested in connection with this proceeding.

5.2 Notice of Changes. Petitioner shall notify the Tribunal and Respondent in writing of any material change to Petitioner’s address, ownership, or status that could affect jurisdiction, venue, or the merits of this Petition.

5.3 Non-Retaliation. Respondent shall not take retaliatory enforcement action against Petitioner solely due to the filing of this Petition.

6. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

6.1 Events of Default
a. Petitioner’s failure to prosecute this Petition diligently;
b. Petitioner’s failure to comply with discovery orders;
c. Respondent’s failure to comply with a Tribunal order or to recognize a Collection Stay.

6.2 Notice & Cure
The non-defaulting party must provide written notice specifying the default and allow [10] days to cure, unless the Tribunal orders otherwise.

6.3 Remedies
Upon uncured default, the Tribunal may:
• Dismiss the Petition with or without prejudice (if Petitioner defaults);
• Enter default judgment reducing or abating the Assessment (if Respondent defaults);
• Award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, including expert witness fees, to the prevailing party.

7. RISK ALLOCATION

7.1 Burden of Proof

Petitioner acknowledges that, under Missouri law, the burden of proof rests with the taxpayer to establish that the Assessment is incorrect.

7.2 Limitation of Liability

Petitioner’s liability shall not exceed the amount of the Assessment plus any statutory interest ultimately adjudged due; punitive or exemplary damages are excluded.

7.3 Indemnification

Petitioner shall indemnify and hold harmless Respondent from third-party claims arising from Petitioner’s misuse or unauthorized disclosure of confidential tax information received in discovery.

[// GUIDANCE: Tax appeals rarely include broad indemnity provisions. The narrowly drawn clause above is optional and may be stricken if not desired.]

7.4 Force Majeure

Deadlines may be extended for events beyond the reasonable control of the affected party (e.g., natural disasters, widespread technological outages, or sudden changes in applicable law).

8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.1 Governing Law
This Petition, and all rights and obligations arising from it, are governed by the laws of the State of Missouri, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

8.2 Forum Selection
Exclusive jurisdiction and venue lie with the Tribunal. Any appeal of a final decision shall be taken to the appropriate Missouri court as provided by statute.

8.3 Limited Arbitration
The parties may, by mutual written agreement, submit discrete factual or discovery disputes to binding arbitration under the Missouri Uniform Arbitration Act. Such arbitration shall not divest the Tribunal of primary jurisdiction over the Assessment itself.

8.4 Jury Waiver
To the extent a right to jury trial might otherwise exist, each party knowingly and voluntarily waives that right; however, the parties recognize that tax appeals in Missouri are generally resolved administratively without juries.

8.5 Injunctive Relief Preservation
Nothing in this Section 8 limits the Tribunal’s authority—or that of any reviewing court—to issue temporary or permanent injunctive relief necessary to enforce a Collection Stay or protect the parties’ rights.

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Amendment & Waiver
This Petition may be amended only by written motion granted by the Tribunal. No waiver of a right or remedy is effective unless in writing and approved by the Tribunal.

9.2 Assignment
Petitioner may not assign rights or delegate obligations under this Petition without prior Tribunal approval.

9.3 Successors & Assigns
This Petition is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors, personal representatives, and permitted assigns.

9.4 Severability
If any provision of this Petition is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force to the maximum extent permitted.

9.5 Integration
This Petition, together with all exhibits and supporting filings, constitutes the entire statement of Petitioner’s claims regarding the Assessment.

9.6 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures
This Petition may be executed in counterparts and filed electronically, each of which is deemed an original and all of which constitute one instrument.

10. EXECUTION BLOCK

Executed and submitted this [DATE].

(Attach Notary Acknowledgments if required by Tribunal rule.)

VERIFICATION

I, [NAME], being duly sworn, state under penalty of perjury that I am the [TITLE/RELATIONSHIP] of Petitioner; that I have read the foregoing Petition; and that the statements contained therein are true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

[Signature of Verifying Individual]

Subscribed and sworn before me this ___ day of ____, 20__.

Notary Public
My commission expires: ______

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on [DATE] a true and correct copy of this Petition and all supporting exhibits was served upon Respondent at [SERVICE ADDRESS/EMAIL] by [METHOD OF SERVICE ALLOWED BY TRIBUNAL RULE].

[Name of Person Serving]

[// GUIDANCE: 1) Attach required exhibits—e.g., copy of Assessment, payment receipts, valuation reports, or expert affidavits. 2) Double-check Tribunal-specific rules for caption formatting, service requirements, and filing fees. 3) Insert statutory citations only when verified; otherwise reference governing provisions generically to avoid citation risk.]