FIA held a Special Meeting regarding significant property valuation increases in Fairfax for 2018. This was a great opportunity for FIA members to discuss the recent 50-70% tax increase on their property valuations this year.
As County Appraiser Briney explained “There is not a limit on valuation increases. We (County Appraiser Office) value annually as of January 1st, and have the legal responsibility of arriving at a value within 10% of market value. As indicated in this presentation, effective July 1, 2016, legislation was passed, which now holds both Property Valuation Division (PVD) accountable, as well as the County Appraiser, in getting commercial properties back in compliance with statistical standards.”
Here’s the presentation:
What can you do if you do not agree with your 2018 Valuation Notices?
(1) Contact the County Appraisers office to discuss your tax statement. http://www.wycokck.org/appraiser
(2) Appeal your 2018 property valuation notices:
• First appeal deadline April 4, 2018
• Second opportunity to informally appeal their value, is by way of payment under protest if you miss the deadline to appeal on April 4th
Deadline to Appeal is April 4, 2018
2018 Real Estate Appraised Valuation Notices
The 2018 Annual Notice of Appraisal and Classification for all real estate parcels in Wyandotte County will be mailed on Monday, March 5, 20181, and have an appeal deadline of Wednesday, April 4, 2018, thirty days after the mail date.
Once a property owner receives their new valuation, if the appraised value is more than they feel that they would reasonably get if the property was sold, or if they feel the classification is incorrectly assigned, then one should consider an appeal.
The Appraiser’s Office is required to value property at a fair market value2, which means that values should reflect what’s happening in the real estate market. Wyandotte County, as well as surrounding areas, has experienced an appreciating market over the last several years; therefore, some areas of the county will see this represented in their new valuation, resulting in higher appraisals.
Property owners who wish to appeal their value and/or classification may do so by filling out the appeal form on the back of the valuation notice and mailing or delivering it to the Appraiser’s Office at 8200 State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. Once the informal appeal deadline has expired and a property owner did not initiate a timely appeal, the next opportunity to appeal is when the 2018 tax bills are due, which is on or before December 20, 2018.
Once a timely appeal is initiated, the Wyandotte County Appraiser’s Office will schedule an informal meeting to discuss the property’s value and/or classification. It is important to bring in documentation to support the appeal. Documentation may include such items as a recent fee appraisal, pictures of the condition that cannot be seen from the exterior of the property, comparable properties that have sold that the property owner feels more closely represents the value of the property, etc.
Property owners are encouraged to visit the Wyandotte County Appraiser’s Office website at www.wycokck.org/appraiser by clicking on the “Property Search”, where the most current property value information will be made available.
State Appeal
If you are not satisfied with your informal appeal results, you can appeal that decision to the State Board of Tax Appeals. Click here for KS Board of Tax Appeals.
Professional Services Are Available to Appeal Your Valuation Notices
If you want to appeal your property valuations notices but would like professional help, there are businesses that specifically do this type of work you can hire.
Questions / Thoughts? Feel free to post a comment below or contact Melissa Clark, FIA Executive Director.