§ 141.620 RSMo — Imposition of suit penalty of five percent — disposition

1. In addition to all amounts due on any tax bill, including principal, interest, penalties, attorney's fees and costs, as now fixed by law, there shall be imposed and charged as a part of the costs on each such tax bill a suit penalty of five percent of the principal amount of the tax bill to be due to the collector upon the filing of the petition with the circuit clerk.

2. The collector shall set up a separate fund in the collector's accounts to which the collector shall credit such five percent suit penalties when paid, together with all other penalties and costs recovered under this action, and shall retain such portion thereof as may be needed for the purpose of paying the expenses and costs required to be advanced under sections 141.210 to 141.810 , including compensation to the delinquent land tax attorney, the attorney's assistants, and stenographic and clerical help, and funds for the costs of publication, notices, for court costs, sheriff's expenses and other costs hereunder, and shall transfer the remainder of such funds annually, on January first of each year, to the land trust for the use and expenses of the land trust. Where no land trust exists, the collector shall retain the remainder of such funds.