Did your property taxes increase in Sedgwick County this year? Here’s why
Some Sedgwick County property owners were surprised this week when they received their tax bills in the mail, many showing substantial increases to their property taxes — despite mill levy cuts by Wichita and the county.
The concern about higher taxes began in March when homeowners received their property valuations from the Sedgwick County Appraiser’s Office. This year, 9 out of 10 homeowners across the county saw an increase in home values, and while many of the questions in March surrounded how the rising home values would translate to taxes, the recent tax bills now show how it will affect homeowners’ wallets.
So, how are property taxes determined in Sedgwick County? What if you can’t pay your bill?
Navigating property taxes can be confusing, so we spoke with Sedgwick County Treasurer Brandi Baily to get answers to your questions. Here’s what to know.
How are property taxes determined?
Until February, the appraiser’s office works on evaluating property values across the county. In March, property owners get their valuation in the mail.
“You get that mailer saying, ‘Okay, here’s your valuation for the year,’ and then you have the opportunity to appeal that,” Baily said.
If homeowners do not think that their valuation is accurate, they have until March 31 every year to appeal it. You cannot appeal after the deadline.
After the assessed valuation is set, the county clerk works with all the taxing jurisdictions (including the city, county and school districts) to see what the tax rates are for the year. Local governments in the Wichita area usually set their mill levies in August while adopting their budgets for the next fiscal year. The county then takes the assessed value times the mill levy rate, which is when the Sedgwick County treasurer begins to put together the tax bills.
“I go run all these numbers that have been calculated by the appraiser and from the clerk, and I put it into what now is the tax bill. And that’s what you’re getting,” she said.
Baily said the increase in many peoples’ bills shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“Back in March when you got your assessed valuation, you kind of already knew that your tax bill probably was [going to be] a little higher because your assessed valuation probably went up,” she said. “I’m just telling you now what that dollar is based on all these calculations.”
Although the state of Kansas, Sedgwick County and the city of Wichita voted to reduce their mill levies this year, the reductions were so small compared with increased valuations that very few homeowners saw property tax relief.
While the county has seen lower mill levies compared to previous years, that doesn’t necessarily mean lower tax bills, Baily said.
“So why are the tax bills higher? Well, because the valuation … still continues to go up. But for example, Sedgwick County, we’ve lowered our mill levy. So therefore I would expect my tax bill go down … but because [the] assessed valuation is still growing, even though the mill levy has been lowered, your tax bill is still probably going to be higher,” Baily explained.
Baily said it’s important to remember that your taxes don’t all directly go to the county.
“I’m collecting for the city, I’m collecting for USD 259, USD 262 … So your tax bill isn’t just made up of what you owe Sedgwick County, it’s made up what you owe to everybody,” Baily said.
When do I need to pay my tax bill?
Sedgwick County residents have until Monday, Dec. 22 to pay the first half of their tax bill. Kansas statute says property owners have to pay by Dec. 20, but because that’s on a Saturday this year, the deadline is two days later.
Baily said there is no grace period for the deadline and late fees will be added once the deadline is passed.
“There are late fees, but they’re very little. It’s like, 1% of the bill,” she said. “Just like your water [and] gas bill. If you’re late paying it, you have to pay a fee.”
The second half is due May 10. Property taxes are built in to many borrowers’ mortgage payments and paid by the mortgage lender. If you are unsure, contact your mortgage lender.
What if I haven’t received my tax bill?
All Sedgwick County homeowners should have received their tax bill by now so if you have yet to receive yours, Baily said now’s the time to call or email the county.
You can also view, and pay, what you owe on Sedgwick County’s website, no matter if you received your bill yet or not.
