Reduce Your Tax Bill With Kansas Property Tax Exemptions
Kansas is tough on homeowners. With a property tax rate of 1.37%—compared to a national average of 1.07%—you stand to be hit with a hefty property tax bill every year.
Property is cheap in Kansas, with an average house price of $159,400, so your annual liability is at least kept to a median of $2,235. Kansas is not one of the states with low property tax, though, and any future increases in property value or tax rates are likely to hit you hard.
DoNotPay knows that many people are looking for help paying their property tax or hoping to take advantage of any discounts or relief available. We are here to help with ways to lower your property tax.
How Does Kansas Calculate Your Property Tax?
Property tax is levied on real estate you own, and the revenue generated is used to fund vital local services and amenities like schools, the police service, or the fire department.
The State of Kansas administers property taxes in each of its 105 counties through local treasurers that are responsible for setting the tax rate, assessing your real property, and collecting tax payments.
Your property tax bill is calculated using two elements, namely:
- Tax rate
- Assessed value of your real estate
Tax Rate
Your county tax rate is determined according to the needs of the taxing authorities that receive funding from your property tax. Each authority submits an annual budget, and the county determines the tax rate to ensure enough money is available to pay for everything the county needs.
This means that property tax rates can vary from county to county in Kansas, and the highest-rated counties all charge an effective rate of around 2%.
| County | Median Home Value | Median Annual Property Tax Bill | Average Effective Property Tax Rate |
| Smith County | $66,900 | $1,413 | 2.11% |
| Stanton County | $79,700 | $1,666 | 2.09% |
| Woodson County | $59,800 | $1,239 | 2.07% |
| Elk County | $50,400 | $982 | 1.95% |
| Republic County | $62,800 | $1,218 | 1.94% |
Even the counties with the lowest tax rates are above the U.S. average of 1.07%:
| County | Median Home Value | Median Annual Property Tax Bill | Average Effective Property Tax Rate |
| Johnson County | $244,100 | $3,018 | 1.24% |
| Ellis County | $164,500 | $1,989 | 1.21% |
| Grant County | $109,000 | $1,259 | 1.16% |
| Coffey County | $117,700 | $1,324 | 1.12% |
| Pottawatomie County | $181,200 | $1,978 | 1.09% |
Assessed Value of Your Real Estate
Each county assesses the value of your property from January 1 each year and mails you a notice of assessment by March 1 if your valuation has changed.
Kansas uses sales data from your area to determine the value of your real estate and is only required to physically inspect your property every six years. The result is that your property assessment may be inaccurate, which could give you a reason to appeal.
What Are the Important Property Tax Dates in Kansas?
The deadlines for payments, appeals, and applications in Kansas are as follows:
| Date |
Action |
| January 1 | Property assessments begin |
| March 1 | Notifications of re-valuation are mailed |
| March 31 | Deadline for lodging an assessment appeal |
| May 10 | Second property tax payment is due if two installments have been chosen |
| May 15 | Appeal conferences are completed |
| May 20 | Appeal decisions are mailed |
| November 1 | Property tax bills are mailed |
| December 20 | Property tax payment is due if one installment has been chosen |
| December 20 | First property tax payment is due if two installments have been chosen |
If you fail to pay your property taxes, the consequences could be serious. After three years of non-payment, Kansas will foreclose and auction off your property.
What Property Tax Exemptions Are Available in Kansas?
Unlike many states, Kansas does not offer a standard homestead exemption for all homeowners. Instead, the exemptions on offer concentrate on looking after the state’s most vulnerable residents:
- Kansas Safe Senior exemption
- Disabled Persons’ exemption
- Dependent Child exemption
- Veterans’ exemption
Kansas Safe Senior Exemption
The Kansas Safe Senior exemption is designed to support low-income senior citizens in Kansas. It offers a refund of up to 75% of your property tax payments from the last tax year, as well as consideration for future tax amounts. The criteria you need to fulfill are as follows:
- 65 years old or more
- Household annual income below $20,700
- No other homestead exemptions or refunds granted
Disabled Persons’ Exemption
Disabled persons in Kansas can also claim an exemption in the form of a refund on their last property tax bill.
Dependent Child Exemption
If you live with a dependent child under the age of 18, you may be able to claim a refund on your property tax from the previous year.
Veterans’ Exemption
Veterans who are at least 50% disabled as a result of their service are eligible for a refund of up to $400 on their last property tax bill.
General Rules for Claiming Kansas Property Tax Exemptions
To claim any of the above exemptions, you have to meet the following criteria:
- You must have been born before January 1, 1965
- Your last year’s household income must not exceed $36,300
- You have not been granted the Safe Senior exemption
The maximum refund Kansas grants is $700, and each claim is adjudicated individually.
Can DoNotPay Make Claiming an Exemption Easier?
DoNotPay is the expert at reducing your property tax bill, and we can help you claim a Kansas property tax exemption.
Our app can provide you with a that takes into account your area, age, and property status.
The guide comes in two sections:
- Property tax exemptions, with information on the exemptions available in your area, the documents you need, and the ways to apply
- Property assessment appeals, covering how to deal with your local assessor and how to lodge an appeal in your area
How Can You Get DoNotPay’s Property Tax Guide?
Your personalized guide is waiting for you—all you need to do is:
- in your web browser
- Look for the Property Tax feature
- Give us some details about yourself and your property
- Wait a short while for us to create your guide
How Else Can DoNotPay Help With Your Property Tax?
If you have checked out all the exemptions you are eligible for and want to reduce your property tax bill even further, you could consider appealing your property assessment.
can help you with:
- Understanding the appeal process in your area
- Knowing what documents you will need
- Finding out where to lodge your appeal
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