Making the Most of Property Assessors Offices - Kentucky

Save on taxes with property assessors in Kentucky
By Emmet McMahan Making the most of property assessors offices in Kentucky will require the office to assess the market value of a property. This value is then multiplied by the tax rate to determine the actual tax that the owner must pay on the property each year. Property tax rates may be set by organizations such as cities, counties or school districts.

Kentucky property assessors offices use factors like location and size to determine the value of a property. This assessment is usually accurate and requires a property value appeal only on rare occasions. There are three things you need to do when evaluating the property value as determined by the assessor’s office:

1. Obtain the information that KY property assessors use to make the assessment. You should already know the size and location of the property, but the assessor will also be able to provide the value of other properties in your area.
2. Get a professional appraisal so you may compare it to the property value by the property assessors in KY.
3. Appeal the KY property assessment if needed. Assessors have a specific procedure for accomplishing this.
   

Learn more about the laws regarding Kentucky property records

Each state has laws that provide guidelines on the way that property values are assessed. There also may be laws that specify what property tax information is publicly available.
Try:  The Kentucky Department of Revenue provides specific state laws regarding property taxes. Greenebaum Doll & McDonald practices tax law and publishes news and articles on property taxes in Kentucky.

Find out how professional appraisers determine KY property assessment

Appraisers may use different methods to estimate the value of your property. You will want to ensure the professional appraiser considers the same factors as the property assessor.
Try:  Insignia Group Kentucky Appraisers provides an overview of property appraisals and the appraisal process. JP Blankenship Appraisal summarizes three different approaches to performing property appraisals.

Learn about how your county performs a Kentucky property assessment

Many counties have online resources available to help you with your property tax assessment. You should be able to locate this information on your county's website, in addition to other information regarding property taxes.
Try:  The Franklin County Property Valuation Administrator provides an outline of the duties of the property assessor in Franklin County. The Henry County Property Valuation Administrator summarizes the property tax exemptions in Kentucky.

• Check with your Kentucky property assessors to see if you qualify for any exemptions on your property assessment. Exemptions may be recognized for disabled veterans, senior citizens or non-profit organizations. File any appeals to your current tax assessment before the tax deadline. It will be more difficult to obtain a favorable ruling on an appeal after the deadline.