Mo. Rev. Stat. § 92.805

After the trial of the issues, the court shall, as promptly as circumstances permit, render judgment. If the court finds that no tax bill upon the land collectible by the collector or the relator was delinquent when the suit was instituted or tried, then the judgment of the court shall be that the cause be dismissed as to the parcels of real estate described in the tax bill; or, if the evidence warrants, the judgment may be for the principal amount of the delinquent tax bill upon the real estate upon which suit was brought, together with interest, penalties, attorney's and appraiser's fees and costs computed as of the date of the judgment. It may decree that the lien upon the parcels of real estate described in the tax bill be foreclosed and such real estate sold by the sheriff, and the cause shall be continued for further proceedings, as herein provided.