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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Clay County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Clay County, KS. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

9 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Varies by taxing district combination within Clay County, typically ranges from 2.5% to 4.5% of assessed value
1st Due
Dec 20
2nd Due
May 10
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Clay County, Kansas operates under the state's property tax system to fund essential local services including schools, county operations, fire protection, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes are administered by the County Assessor's office for valuation and the County Treasurer's office for collection. Kansas uses a market value assessment system where properties are appraised at their fair market value, with tax rates applied to calculate the annual tax liability.

The effective tax rate in Clay County varies by location within the county due to different combinations of taxing districts. Property owners may be subject to taxes from multiple jurisdictions including the county, school districts, cities, townships, and special districts such as fire, cemetery, or library districts. The total tax rate typically ranges from approximately 55 to 72 mills (5.5% to 7.2% of assessed value), depending on which taxing districts serve your specific property location. Tax bills are mailed by mid-November each year and become a lien against all property on November 1st.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Based on recent tax statements, here are example tax rate components for Clay County properties:

ComponentRate (Mills)Description
County General16.2-22.8County operations and services
School District~25-30Local school district funding
City/Township3.9-13.1Municipal services (varies by location)
Fire District~2-5Fire protection services
Cemetery District~1-2Cemetery maintenance
Library District~1-3Public library services
Total Range55-72 millsCombined rate varies by district

Note: These rates apply to the current levy year and are examples from recent tax statements. Your actual rate depends on which specific taxing districts serve your property location. Contact the Clay County Clerk's office at (785) 632-2552 for your exact district combination and current rates.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Clay County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Dec 20
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
May 10
Delinquent after Apr 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Clay County are additional tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, improvements, or corrections to the original assessment after the regular tax roll has been prepared. Common triggers include new construction completed during the tax year, property ownership transfers, or errors discovered in the original assessment that require correction.

When supplemental taxes are issued, they are calculated based on the difference between the original assessed value and the corrected assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year affected. For example, if you complete a home addition worth $50,000 in March, you would receive a supplemental tax bill for the additional assessment from March through the end of the tax year. The supplemental tax would be calculated as: ($50,000 × applicable tax rate) × (10 months ÷ 12 months) = prorated additional tax due.

Example Calculation

Here are three property tax calculation examples for Clay County using an estimated 60-mill total tax rate:

$300,000 Property:

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (11.5%): $34,500
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applicable): -$2,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $32,500
  • Annual Tax (60 mills): $1,950
  • Monthly Escrow: $163

$600,000 Property:

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (11.5%): $69,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applicable): -$2,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $67,000
  • Annual Tax (60 mills): $4,020
  • Monthly Escrow: $335

$1,000,000 Property:

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (11.5%): $115,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applicable): -$2,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $113,000
  • Annual Tax (60 mills): $6,780
  • Monthly Escrow: $565

Note: Tax credits such as the Homestead Credit require annual application and are not automatic. Actual rates vary by taxing district location.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Clay County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments. The lender collects monthly escrow payments along with your mortgage payment and pays your property taxes directly to the County Treasurer when due. Lenders typically collect 1/12th of your estimated annual property tax bill each month, plus a small cushion to account for potential tax increases.

Property tax bills in Clay County are mailed by mid-November and can be paid in two installments: the first half is due by December 1st, and the second half is due by March 1st of the following year. If you have an escrow account, your lender will typically pay the first installment in December and the second installment in March. Lenders are required to provide an annual escrow analysis showing how your escrow funds were used and whether any adjustments to your monthly escrow payment are needed based on actual tax amounts and any changes in assessed value.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Clay County property taxes due? A: Tax bills are mailed by mid-November. The first half payment is due December 1st, and the second half is due March 1st. Taxes become delinquent and accrue interest if not paid by these statutory deadlines.

Q: What tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: The primary credit is the Homestead Credit for primary residences, which requires annual application to the County Assessor's office. Additional credits may be available for disabled veterans, elderly residents, or agricultural land. Contact the Clay County Assessor at (785) 632-3512 for applications and deadlines.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit helps limit assessment increases on your primary residence rather than reducing market value. You must file an application annually with the County Assessor's office. This credit is not automatic and requires qualification verification each year.

Q: How often are properties assessed? A: Kansas law requires annual assessment of all real property. The County Assessor reviews market data and may conduct physical inspections periodically. Property owners receive assessment notices in the spring and have appeal rights if they disagree with the valuation.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Delinquent taxes accrue interest after the statutory deadlines (December 1st for first half, March 1st for second half). Interest rates are set by state statute. Properties with delinquent taxes may eventually be subject to tax sale proceedings.

Q: Can I pay my taxes online? A: Contact the Clay County Treasurer's office at (785) 632-2552 to inquire about online payment options and accepted payment methods for current tax year obligations.

Q: Why did my tax bill change from last year? A: Tax bills can change due to reassessment of your property value, changes in tax rates set by various taxing districts, completion of new construction or improvements, or changes in credits/exemptions. Special district bond issues or budget changes also affect total rates.

Q: How do special taxing districts affect my bill? A: Your property may be located in multiple taxing districts (school, fire, library, cemetery, etc.). Each district sets its own tax rate, and your total rate is the sum of all applicable district rates. Properties in different areas of the county may have different total rates based on which districts serve them.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
County
clay county, kansasadmin.ks.gov
02
County
County Clerk's Handbookksrevenue.gov
03
Frequently Asked Questions - CivicPlus.CMS.FAQclaycountymo.gov
04
County
Clay County Property Taxesnacdashboard.nara.gov
05
Download Bill Status CSVkslegislature.gov
06
Kansas Department of Revenue - WebFilekansas.gov
07
County
2024 CLAY COUNTY, KANSAS TAX LEVY SHEETadmin.ks.gov
08
County
2023 CLAY COUNTY, KANSAS TAX LEVY SHEETadmin.ks.gov
09
County
clay county, kansasadmin.ks.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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