Kansas law establishes the method of appraisal used to determine a property owner's share of taxes needed to support schools, roads and bridges, noxious weed eradication, our hospital, fair, soil conservation, airport, elections, extension work, mental health, library, fire department, sheriff's department, health office, council on aging, ambulance, and historical society to name just a few. The county appraiser's office is responsible for listing and valuing property in a uniform and equal manner to help share the cost of these services. But the amount of taxes you pay depends on the budgets set by your governing bodies, such as those set by the state cities, county entities, and schools.
The county appraiser's staff is required to visit your real estate property at least once every four
(4) years. First, they will try to visit with the owner to review the current information. Then an exterior
inspection is done where they will look for changes, such as, adding on a room, a garage or a deck. They will
verify the dimensions, checking for structural damage, and the property's current condition.
Back in the office, the appraiser's office uses computer-generated data to analyze the property based upon its
age, size, and style of construction and replacement costs. Sale prices of similar properties are also
analyzed.
State law says your property will be appraised at "fair market value" as it exists on January 1st of each year. Market value is the amount of money a well-informed buyer would pay a well-informed seller in an open and competitive market.
The value of your property can change each year depending on several things. If you made any
improvements, such as adding a room or garage, the value will probably go up.
If a major structural problem develops, such as foundation crack that is visible from the outside or pointed out at
the time of the appraiser's visit, the value may go down.
A downtrend in sales of similar properties can also effect your value. If sales are rising, property values will
also rise. The appraiser's office monitors sales within the county continually throughout the year.
The first of March each year, the appraiser's office mails valuation notices to the owners of all real property (real estate). This valuation notice lists current and previous year's values.
Begin by checking the "classification" on your valuation notice to make sure the use of your
property is correct (ex: RU or FR for residential, CU or CR for commercial, AR for agriculture ect.) Next compare
the current and previous year's values. Does the appraised value appear to be close to the price you would consider
reasonable if you were to sell your property? If so, the appraiser has done the job the state requires.
You should also consider whether you have made any changes to the property. Have there been any improvements
that could increase the value of your property if you were to sell it? Are there any major structural problems
that might not be easily seen from the exterior? Remember, however, general maintenance usually does not effect
value.
According to Kansas State Law, farmland is valued according to it's current use. Yearly, the Property Valuation Department in Topeka issues values for each soil mapping unit in the county and these values are applied to your land by the county appraiser. The county appraiser does the yearly review to see if you have made any changes in your farming practices (ex: Flood has one to sprinkled or dry land to irrigated, etc...). The operator or owner of the land is requested to fill out an agriculture use form whenever there is a change.
All property owners have the right to appeal the valuation of their property. By law, however,
you must notify the appraiser's office within 30 days of the mailing of the valuation notice.
You may also contact the appraiser's office for a list of properties similar to yours along with the data about
your own property for comparison. If you are considering an appeal, you can review the sales book of properties
in the same class as your own by visiting the appraiser's office.
All property owners have the right to appeal the appraised value of their (real estate) property, but, by
law, they must notify the appraiser's office within 30 days of the mailing of their valuation notice.
If you believe your property is valued fairly, but taxes are to high, an appeal probably won't help you.
Instead you should attend the public hearings held by the local governmental groups about their budgets that set tax
rates. Each group invites public comment.
If you think the appraised value is more than you could reasonably get if you sold your home, you should consider an
appeal. Remember, Kansas law requires the appraiser to determine "fair market value" when appraising
your property. If you are uncertain of your property value, you can review real estate advertisements for
property similar to yours and real estate professionals can provide you with information about the current market.
If you believe the appraiser's office has incorrect or incomplete information about your property, you may want to
appeal.
By calling the appraiser's office, you can request a list of the data of your own property and a list of comparable sales used to value your property. Remember, however, that state law only allows the appraiser's office to release sales information about property to those who are considering an appeal.
The appraiser's office will be glad to help you review and verify your property data.
If you are considering an appeal, ask to see the sales book that can help you compare your appraised value with other
properties that have sold. But, as you compare the properties, remember to check for those similar in size, age
and style to your property.
The Morton County Appraiser's Office tries to make the process as simple as possible. The
appeal form and instructions are included with the Annual Valuation Notice or you can call the appraiser's office
and request a hearing. You can even indicate if you require an evening or early morning appointment or a
telephone hearing.
By law, you must appeal within 30 days of the date your valuation notice was mailed.
You are notified (by mail) of a date and time of the informal hearing which is held at the Morton County Courthouse.
The informal hearing held in the appraiser's office takes about 20 minutes. You can designate
someone to represent you if you wish by filing a declaration. However, owners usually represent themselves at
this level.
It is important to prepare specific reasons and documentation showing why you feel your property is not appraised at
fair market value.
The hearing is very informal so don't be nervous or confrontational. Just consider the hearing an opportunity to make sure the appraiser's office has the correct information and understands your concerns. We promise to do our job in a friendly, efficient, and polite way.
If you fail to meet the 30-day deadline for filing an appeal, state law gives you another option.
You may file your taxes under protest by requesting a protest application when paying the first half of your
taxes. For information, please contact either the office of the treasurer or the appraiser. State law
states that you can only have one appeal annually. However, if you have an informal appeal, you cannot file your taxes
under protest in the same year.
If you appealed and are still dissatisfied with the results of the informal hearing, you may appeal to the next level,
the State Board of Tax Appeals. For more information see "Understanding Appeal Hearings."
*The Morton County Appraiser's Office can provide you with additional data on your home and a list of comparable sales. Also ask to see the sales book which provides data on recent sales. But, remember, Kansas law only allows sales data to be released to those who are considering an appeal.
The informal hearing is the first of two possible levels of appeal. By law, all owners have the right to appeal the appraised valuation of their property. Remember, you must file for an appeal within 30 days of the mailing of your valuation notice.
When you receive the Informal Hearing decision, you will also receive instructions on how to file an appeal at the next level, the State Board of Tax Appeals. You have 30 days to file. Again you will be notified in advance of the date of your hearing.
Note: Property owners may appeal the value on their property only once during the tax year.
The Morton County Appraiser mails a valuation notice on May 1st to all personal property owners in the county notifying them of the appraised value of their personal property as of January 1st.
The Morton County Appraiser mails a valuation notice to all property owners on or before March
1st.
The valuation notice identifies the property, the classification of the property, the appraised value and the assessed
value for the current and the previous year and instructions on how to appeal the appraisal.
If you feel the classification or appraised value of your personal property is inaccurate, you may
appeal on or before May 15th. There can be two (2) successive levels of appeals if an
agreement is not reached at a previous level. Each appeal level must be completed before proceeding to the next
level.
1. Informal Appeal: The first step in the appeal process is to file with the county appraiser's
office. You will be notified of a time and date for the informal meeting with the appraiser. If you are not
satisfied with the results of this meeting, you may appeal to the State Board of Tax Appeals.
It is not required that property owners be represented by an agent or attorney, owners may represent themselves.
Any property owner who intends to be represented by an agent (any person other than the owner of the property, their
family members or their attorney) should notify the appraiser's office prior to the date of the hearing so
notification will be sent to the proper person.
2. State Board of Tax Appeals: The instructions and forms are available from the appraiser's
office. This hearing is similar to a courtroom setting where the property owner and the appraiser present their
case to members of the Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA) will issue an order to the property owner and county appraiser of
their decision. If either party is aggrieved by the BOTA order they may pursue their case at District Court.
"The salient characteristic of personal property is its movability without damage, either to itself
or to the real estate to which it is attached." Personal property becomes real property only if it is affixed in
such a way that it loses it's original physical character and cannot practically be restored to it's original
condition.
Personal property may be leased, loaned, rented, consigned, or owned. The basic categories of personal property are
generally: furniture, fixtures, plant equipment, office equipment, machinery, boats, motors, and trailers, aircraft,
mobile homes and recreational vehicles.
Oil and gas wells are also considered personal property and a rendition must be turned in by the operator each
year.
If item is $250 or less and can work independently of other equipment, it is exempted by law.
Automobiles and most recreational vehicles are classed and taxed at the time of registration for license plates or renewal decal.
The valuation of commercial personal property begins with the cost of the item. Items are valued
according to their historic purchase price when new or the used purchase price and the appropriate economic life of the
item is applied. The asset is then depreciated over its economic life to a remaining base or salvage value.
After December 31, 1995, any qualifying item of commercial personal property with original cost of $250 or less is
exempt. Please continue to list the items on your rendition as usual and the appraiser's office will
determine if the item qualifies for this exemption.
The appropriate economic lives that are assigned to commercial items come from guidelines issued by the State of
Kansas, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publications and Marshall & Swift Valuation Services.
Businesses are also required to report any leased equipment they use. Listing the name and address of the
leasing company is very helpful to the county appraiser so the item gets filed under the correct name.
Many personal property items belong to individuals are valued from market data. *Guidelines are provided by the
State of Kansas to help establish market value as well as market data that is collected from our region. This
market data is then used to establish the current value of a particular item along with it's age and
condition. Oil and gas are also valued with the use of a guide published by the State of Kansas.
*Automobiles, light trucks and motorcycles are classed separately by the State of Kansas.
K.S.A. 79-303: "Every person, association, company or corporation who shall own or
hold, subject to his or her control, any tangible personal property shall list said property for assessment."
K.S.A. 79-301: "All tangible personal property subject to taxation shall be listed and assessed as
of the first day of January of each year in the name of the owner thereof."
Remember: It is your responsibility to file this information with the county appraiser's
office. If you own any tangible personal property with the intent to establish and/or operate a business
(including a home based business), or if you own any recreational property or vehicles not taxed at the time of
registration, or mobile homes not on a permanent foundation, you must file a rendition with the county appraiser's
office. The rendition form is available from the Morton County Appraiser's Office located in the County
Courthouse in Elkhart.
You may write to P.O. Box 1430, Elkhart, KS 67950-1430 or call 620-697-2106 to receive a rendition. Willena
Boaldin, Morton County Personal Property Clerk will be glad to assist you.
| January 1st - March 1st | None |
| March 16th - April 15th | 5% |
| April 16th - May 15th | 10% |
| May 16th - June 15th | 15% |
| June 16th - July 15th | 20% |
| July 16th - March 14th (Next Year) |
25% |
| March 15th of Next Year | 50% |
Factors considered when determining market value of oil and gas leasehold properties include past and
present production history, current oil and gas prices, and remaining reserves. The State of Kansas publishes a
guide that is followed to help in the determination of the market value of oil and gas. The formula is used to
"determine today's benefit for future revenues discounted to present value".
The ad valorem tax (local personal property tax) that you are billed for on your royalty tax statement is based upon
value; therefore, there are some years in which the taxes may appear high and way out of line when your income is
down. Personal property taxes are always for the prior year so the prior year's production is used in the
formula. A loss in one year's income does not eradicate value. An example of this would be a farmer who
is hailed out one year, but does not see a decrease in the market value of his farm ground.
Gas wells may be shut in during the current year, but still have large reserves and are capable of producing a lot of
gas, causing taxes to remain high with income down for the year. The values placed on these royalty interests are
supported by offers from several investors to purchase these properties.
You, the taxpayer, can play an effective role in the appraisal process if you know your rights,
understand the remedies available to you and fulfill your responsibilities as a property owner and taxpayer.
Fulfill Your Responsibilities:
File a property rendition with the appraiser's office on or before March 15th of every year for
personal property and on or before April 1st every year for oil and gas.
Verify that the property you own is listed and described correctly on the tax records, along with your correct name
and address.
Follow the procedure prescribed by law at each level of the appeal process.
Know Your Rights:
You have the right to equal and uniform appraisal. Your value should be equitable to similar properties.
You have the right to have your property taxed on it's fair market value or cost.
Taxing districts must inform the public of proposed tax rate (mill levy) increases and give taxpayers time to comment
on the proposed increases.
Understand Your Remedies:
You have the right to appeal the valuation of your property.
You can speak at the budget hearings your officials conduct before adopting resolutions and/or setting the tax levy.
These hearings are open to the public.
According to the Constitution of Kansas, real property will be taxed by classification for ad valorem tax purposes. Following is a listing of these classifications and the percentages of market value or use value (for agricultural land):
| R | Residential (homes, mobile 11.5% of market value, home apartments, condominium) |
| A | Agricultural Land (used 30% of use value for agricultural purposes) |
| A | Agricultural Improvements (25% of market value) |
| F | Residences on Farm (11.5% of market value home sites) |
| V | Vacant Lots (12% of market value) |
| O | Properties Not Listed as 30% of market value (commercial or residential) |
| C | Businesses or industry (25% of market value) |
| E | Property exempt from taxation 0% |
| U | State assessed utilities (33% of state appraised value) |
Personal property, oil and gas renditions are mailed to property owners already registered with the
County Appraiser's Office. Personal Property renditions must be returned by March 15th or they
will receive a penalty. Anyone owning taxable personal property must file a rendition with the appraiser's
office before the March 15th deadline to avoid a penalty. Oil and gas renditions must be returned by
April 1st to avoid a penalty. All personal property is appraised using published guides and guides
issued by the State of Kansas. Valuation notices are mailed to all owners of personal property by May
1st. (click here for "What Is
Personal Property?")
The valuation notice identifies the property, the classification of the property (individual or commercial personal
property), the appraised value and the assessed value for the current year. (Click here for the Classification Chart)
If you feel the classification or appraised value of your personal property is inaccurate, you may appeal on or before
May 15th. (See Appeals
Information and Understanding
Appeals by clicking on the desired topic.)
At the same time, real estate property values are being calculated. Valuation notices will be mailed on real estate on
or before March 1st.
The valuation notice identifies the real estate, the classification of the property, the appraised value and the
assessed value for the current year and the previous year as well as instructions on how to appeal the appraisal.
If you feel the classification or appraised value of your real estate is inaccurate, you may appeal within 30
days of the mailing of your valuation notice.
The county appraiser certifies the total appraised value of all personal property, oil and gas, and real estate to the county clerk. Taxing jurisdictions (School districts, cities, county, ect.) hold public hearings to invite participation from citizens concerning their budgets. Property owners can address their concerns over tax rates and the cost and quality of public service they receive. Once the budget hearings are complete, each taxing jurisdiction submits it's budget to the County Clerk. This is where the assessed value comes into play. The sum of moneys needed each year by cities, school districts, the county, etc... determines what is called the mill levy (tax rate). This mill levy is applied to each one thousand dollars of your property's assessed value. The assessed value of your property is, by law, a fixed percentage of the market value determined by the county appraiser.
| $80,000 (Market value of your home) x 11.5 (Residential assessment rate of 11.5) = $9,200 Assessed Value x .120 Mill Levy (120 mills or $120 per $1,000 of assessed value) = $1,140 Taxes Due On Your Home |
Once the County Clerk completes the calculation of assessed values and mill levies (tax rates), the county treasurer issues tax bills for payment.
If you believe your tax bill was calculated incorrectly or the property value used by the appraiser is
not correct, a payment under protest is appropriate. However, if you feel your taxes are just to high but your
value is ok, a payment under protest will not help. The taxing jurisdictions public hearings held in the summer
are the place to voice your concerns.
When you are ready to pay your taxes and wish to pay them under protest, ask your county treasurer for the protest
form when you pay your first half. You will be contacted by the appraiser's office with a date and time for
your hearing to discuss the valuation of your property only. Other taxation issues go directly to the State Board
of Tax Appeals.
The payment under protest hearing with the appraiser is just like the informal appeal that is held in the
spring. Follow the same general guidelines for preparing for this hearing.
The Kansas Tax Reduction and Reform Act of 1998 created an income tax credit for owners of machinery and equipment used in a business related activity. If you paid this years personal income tax on business machinery and equipment in a timely manner, you may claim this new credit on your Kansas income tax, privilege tax, or insurance company premiums tax return.
The credit is 15% of the personal property tax paid on qualified machinery and equipment.
"Qualifying machinery and equipment" means machinery and equipment required to be listed for
property taxation on Schedule 2, Schedule 5, or Schedule 6 by a for-profit business required to file an income tax,
privilege tax, or insurance company premiums tax credit.
Schedule 2 Property: Prescribed and/or itemized machinery and equipment used in mineral leasehold
interests, including diesel engines, drilling rigs, electric motors, line piping, mud pumps, water injection pumps, oil
separators, oil well tubing pumps, pumping jacks, service units, and tanks.
Schedule 5 Property: Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment, including cash registers,
computers, construction equipment, fixtures, furniture, gas pumps, manufacturing equipment, medical equipment, signs,
trailers and other tangible personal property used in a business.
Schedule 6 Property: All other business related tangible personal property not elsewhere classified, such
as spare parts.
Items that DO NOT qualify for the credit include motor vehicles, personal property owned by a public
utility, and property not used for a business purpose.
For tax year 1998, only the 1998 personal property tax timely paid in 1998 may be used for this credit. The balance of your 1997 personal property tax paid in 1998, and any delinquent taxes do not qualify for the credit.
For 1999 and subsequent tax years, the personal property tax timely paid in the tax year on business machinery and equipment is the basis for the credit. For example: For tax year 1999, you may use the last half of 1998 taxes paid by June 20, 1999, and also the 1999 taxes paid by December 20, 1999.
Any business owner paying personal property tax on qualified machinery and equipment is eligible for the credit. This Includes:
To obtain Schedule K-64, call the Kansas Department of Revenue's voice mail forms request line at (785) 296-4937. For more information on this tax credit, please contact the Kansas Department of Revenue offices listed or visit their web site at http://www.ink.org/public/kdor. Contact your county officials for information or assistance in determining the amount of personal property taxes paid on commercial and industrial machinery and equipment.
Topeka(785) 296-0222Docking State Office Building 915 SW Harrison, 1st Floor |
Overland Park(913) 677-0158Cloverleaf Office Park, Bldg. 3 6405 Metcalf Ave., Suite 120 |
Wichita(316) 337-6140State Office Building 230 E. Williams, Room 7150 |
For Additional Information you may contact:
| Tom Furman, RMA Morton County Appraiser 620-697-2106 |
Sharon K. (Susie) Lewis Morton County Deputy Appraiser 620-697-2106 slewis@elkhart.com |

