Missouri

CONTACT INFORMATION

Name: 
Brian T. Howes
Title: 
Attorney
Company: 
Polsinelli Shughart PC
Company Website: 
Visit our website
Address: 
700 W. 47th Street
Address: 
Suite 1000
City: 
Kansas City
State: 
Missouri
Zip: 
64112
Telephone: 
816-395-0632
Fax: 
816-753-1536
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RECENT CASES

Recent Cases: 

Property Tax Success Stories

 
·                     Achieved over $5 million in property tax savings over a 3-year period on the operating property of a public utility in multiple counties in Missouri. After designating a “lead case” in the largest county, trial preparation in this complex property tax litigation led to a negotiated resolution that became the foundation for settlements reached with almost 30 other counties. This taxpayer continues to enjoy property tax benefits from this settlement exceeding $1 million annually. 
·                     Successfully prosecuted numerous property tax appeals in a half-dozen states at various levels of appeal for the owner of a portfolio of large industrial properties. The property tax savings for this client currently amount to approximately $1.5 million.
·                     Representation of a St. Louis-based Fortune 500 company in property tax appeals before the County Board of Equalization resulted in almost $750,000 in tax savings on their owner-occupied headquarters and office/warehouse properties. 
·                     Review of personal property tax filings and subsequent appeal efforts resulted in property tax savings exceeding $1 million on machinery and equipment owned by a newspaper publishing company.
·                     Property tax engagement with a Missouri-based banking institution has resulted in $2.5 million in tax savings for this client on their office, branch bank and other properties over a 5-year period.
·                     Successful litigation before the State Tax Commission of Missouri reduced the valuation of a limestone quarry operation by more than 75% from $4,187,043 to $1,020,000. See Fred Weber, Inc. v. Randly Holman, Assessor, Jefferson County, Missouri, STC Appeal No. 03-34017 thru 03-34019.
·                     Valuation of an acute care hospital facility reduced by almost 50% from $12,185,460 to $6,660,000 in an appeal before the State Tax Commission of Missouri.  See Health Midwest RMC v. Koons, Assessor, Cass County, Missouri, STC Appeal No. 04-49000.
·                     Negotiated settlement of multiple appeals filed with the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals on behalf of a national retailer on their build-to-suit “big box” facilities with property tax savings of almost $500,000.
·                     Personal property taxes of a Kansas City-based manufacturer reduced by over $250,000 due to acquisition cost adjustments, asset reclassifications, exemptions and market value challenges.

SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS

Speeches & Publications: 


Mr. Howes is the author of the property tax chapter in the Missouri Bar Taxation Law and Practice Deskbook (4th Ed. 2009)and the Missouri chapter in America Bar Associations Property Tax Deskbook (13th Ed. 2008) He has published numerous articles on ad valorem tax issues and is a frequent speaker for many professional associations including the American Bar Association, Institute for Professionals in Taxation and International Association of Assessing Officers. 

PROFILE

NAPTA Charter Member

Brian T. Howes has represented property tax clients in more than 35 states and has over 25 years of experience in real and personal property tax assessment appeals. His exclusive focus is property tax consulting and litigation to minimize property tax liabilities for commercial and industrial properties taxpayers. Prior to joining Polsinelli Shughart in 2000, he was the national partner-in-charge of property tax services at Ernst & Young. He also served as chief operating officer and general counsel for a national property tax consulting firm for ten years.
 
He has attained the CMI (property tax) designation from the Institute for Professionals in Taxation and is a charter member currently serving on the executive committee of the National Association of Property Tax Attorneys.