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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Jefferson County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
$1.43 per $1,000 assessed value (base county rate, varies by district with additional assessments)
1st Due
Dec 20
2nd Due
May 10
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Jefferson County, Kansas operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, roads, public safety, and county operations. For the 2025 tax year, the county has implemented a property tax rate of $1.43 per $1,000 of assessed value, representing a $0.09 increase from the previous certified rate of $1.3431. This rate was approved as part of the fiscal year 2024-25 budget to meet increased funding needs for county services.

Property tax rates in Jefferson County vary by location within the county due to special taxing districts such as school districts, fire districts, library districts, and other municipal services. While the base county rate applies countywide, residents may pay additional assessments depending on which special districts serve their property. Kansas assesses property at approximately 100% of fair market value, with various tax credits available to qualifying property owners to help reduce their tax burden.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Base County Rate$1.43Core county services and operations (FY 2024-25)
School DistrictVariesLocal school district levies (varies by district)
City/MunicipalityVariesMunicipal services (if within city limits)
Fire DistrictVariesFire protection services
Library DistrictVariesPublic library services
Special AssessmentsVariesInfrastructure improvements, bonds

Note: The $1.43 rate applies to the base county levy for fiscal year 2024-25. Total effective tax rates typically range from 1.5% to 2.5% depending on your specific location within Jefferson County and the special taxing districts that serve your property. Contact the Jefferson County Assessor's office for your property's complete tax rate breakdown.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Jefferson 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 property taxes in Jefferson County are triggered by specific events that change a property's assessed value during the tax year. Common triggers include ownership changes, new construction completion, property improvements, or previously missed assessments (escaped assessments). When these events occur, the county calculates additional taxes based on the difference between the old and new assessed values.

The supplemental tax is calculated by taking the difference in assessed value and applying the current tax rate for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if a $100,000 home improvement is completed in January and increases the assessed value by that amount, the supplemental tax would be calculated as: ($100,000 × $1.43 ÷ $1,000) × (remaining months ÷ 12). Supplemental taxes are due within 45 days of bill issuance and cannot be paid through existing mortgage escrow accounts.

Example Calculation

$300,000 Home:

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Tax Credits Applied: $0 (no credits applied)
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000
  • Tax Rate: $1.43 per $1,000 (base rate only)
  • Annual Tax: $429
  • Monthly Escrow: $35.75

$600,000 Home with Homestead Credit:

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Credit Benefit: Assessment increase limited to 10% annually
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000
  • Tax Rate: $1.73 per $1,000 (including estimated special districts)
  • Annual Tax: $1,038
  • Monthly Escrow: $86.50

$1,000,000 Home with Senior Homestead:

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Senior Homestead Credit: Up to $40,000 maximum benefit (application required)
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Tax Rate: $1.89 per $1,000 (including estimated special districts)
  • Annual Tax: $1,890
  • Monthly Escrow: $157.50

Note: Credits require annual application and approval. Special district rates vary by location.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Jefferson County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments. Lenders collect monthly escrow payments based on the previous year's tax bill divided by 12, plus a cushion for potential increases. Property tax bills are mailed before December 10 each year, and lenders typically pay the full annual amount by the April 15 deadline to avoid penalties and interest charges.

Homeowners should verify that their lender receives and pays the correct amount by reviewing their annual escrow analysis statement. If you've applied for tax credits or if your assessment has changed significantly, notify your lender to ensure proper escrow adjustments. Properties with supplemental tax bills require separate payment since these cannot be processed through existing escrow arrangements and must be paid within 45 days of issuance.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Jefferson County property taxes due for the current fiscal year? A: Property tax bills must be mailed before December 10 each year, with final payment due by April 15. For FY 2024-25, the deadline remains April 15, 2025.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: Kansas offers several tax credits including the Homestead Credit, Property Tax Relief for Low Income Seniors (K-40PT), and Property Tax Relief for Seniors and Disabled Veterans (K-40SVR). ALL credits require annual application - none are automatic.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit doesn't reduce your property's market value. Instead, it caps annual assessment increases to protect against rapid valuation growth. You must file Form K-40H annually to maintain this benefit.

Q: What is the maximum homestead benefit for seniors? A: Homeowners age 65 and older can receive up to $40,000 in homestead exemption benefits, but this requires filing the appropriate forms with the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Jefferson County? A: Kansas law requires annual assessment updates. The County Assessor reviews property values yearly, with appeal deadlines typically in late spring following assessment notices.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Delinquent taxes incur interest charges starting after the April 15 deadline. Contact the Jefferson County Treasurer for current penalty rates and payment arrangements.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Jefferson County Treasurer's office directly for current online payment options and accepted payment methods.

Q: How do special district taxes affect my bill? A: Your total tax rate includes levies from all districts serving your property - school, fire, library, city (if applicable), and others. The $1.43 county rate is just one component of your total property tax bill.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Budget Memojeffersoncountytn.gov
02
County
2025 Douglas County, Kansas Tax Levy Sheetdgcoks.gov
03
County
Jefferson County 2025 | Municipal Budgetsadmin.ks.gov
04
Tax Doc
Minutes of the House Taxation Committeekslegislature.gov
05
County
County Clerk's Handbookksrevenue.gov
06
d-:7 , 2023admin.ks.gov
07
Tax Doc
Minutes of the House Taxation Committeekslegislature.gov
08
Kansas Homestead Refund Programsksrevenue.gov
09
2023 Annual Report for the Kansas Department of Revenuekansascommerce.gov
10
Tax Doc
TAX EXPENDITURE REPORTksrevenue.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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