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Updated 2025 Tax Year

McLean County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in McLean County, KY. 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
0.8% to 1.2% of assessed value (varies by taxing district)
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

McLean County, Kentucky operates on a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, county government operations, fire protection, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes in McLean County are administered by the County Clerk's office and are based on assessed values determined by the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) as of January 1st each year.

The effective property tax rate in McLean County typically ranges from approximately 0.8% to 1.2% of assessed value, though this varies significantly based on your specific location within the county. McLean County contains multiple special taxing districts, including school districts, fire districts, and other local service areas, each with their own levy rates that are added to the base county rate. Your total property tax bill will depend on which combination of these districts serves your property.

Property assessments in Kentucky are conducted at 100% of fair cash value for real estate, with the Kentucky Department of Revenue overseeing assessment practices to ensure uniformity across the state. The county reassesses all real property periodically, and new construction or property improvements are assessed when discovered or reported.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100)Description
County General~$0.134Basic county services, administration
County Road~$0.050Road maintenance and improvements
McLean County Schools~$0.520Local school district operations
State Property Tax~$0.122Kentucky state levy
Health Department~$0.025Public health services
Extension Service~$0.015Agricultural extension programs
Fire District (varies)$0.050-$0.150Fire protection services by district
Library District~$0.035Public library services

Note: These rates apply to the 2024-2025 levy year and are estimates based on typical McLean County rates. Actual rates vary by specific taxing districts within the county. Contact the McLean County Clerk at (270) 273-3082 for current exact rates for your property location. Some properties may have additional special assessments for drainage districts or other local improvements.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

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 McLean County are additional property tax assessments that occur outside the regular annual tax cycle. These are most commonly triggered by new construction completion, property improvements that increase value, or changes in property ownership that reveal previously unassessed improvements.

When new construction is completed or substantial improvements are made to existing property, the Property Valuation Administrator conducts a supplemental assessment. The supplemental tax is calculated by applying the current tax rate to the increase in assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining after the assessment date.

For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition that increases your assessed value by $50,000, and this occurs on July 1st (halfway through the tax year), you would receive a supplemental tax bill for half the annual tax on that $50,000 increase. At a combined rate of 1.0%, this would result in a supplemental tax of approximately $250 ($50,000 × 0.01 × 0.5 years). Supplemental taxes are typically due within 30 days of the bill date.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$39,300 (typical homestead exemption amount)
  • Net Taxable Value: $260,700
  • Combined Tax Rate: 0.95% (varies by district)
  • Annual Property Tax: $2,477
  • Monthly Escrow: $206

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$39,300 (homestead credit - requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $560,700
  • Combined Tax Rate: 0.98% (varies by district)
  • Annual Property Tax: $5,495
  • Monthly Escrow: $458

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$39,300 (if owner-occupied and applied for)
  • Net Taxable Value: $960,700
  • Combined Tax Rate: 1.05% (varies by district)
  • Annual Property Tax: $10,087
  • Monthly Escrow: $841

Important: The homestead credit shown requires annual application and is not automatically applied. Actual tax rates vary based on your property's specific taxing districts. Contact the McLean County PVA office at (270) 273-3717 for precise calculations.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in McLean County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property taxes and insurance. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments as part of your mortgage payment and pays your property taxes directly to McLean County when they become due.

Property taxes in McLean County are due April 1st for real estate and May 15th for personal property. Lenders typically pay these taxes on your behalf before the due dates to avoid penalty charges. Your lender will provide an annual escrow analysis showing the previous year's tax payments and any adjustments needed to your monthly escrow amount.

If you pay your own property taxes (no escrow), you can pay online through the McLean County Clerk's website, by mail, or in person at the County Clerk's office located at 210 Main Street in Calhoun. The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Online payments may incur a convenience fee. Be sure to verify your current tax amount and payment options, as these can change annually based on budget adjustments and special assessments.

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 property taxes due in McLean County for 2025? A: Real estate property taxes are due April 1, 2025, and personal property taxes are due May 15, 2025. A 2% penalty is added if paid after these dates.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: The primary credit is the homestead credit for owner-occupied residences, which typically provides around $39,300 in assessed value reduction. This credit requires annual application to the Property Valuation Administrator by April 15th and is NOT automatic.

Q: How does the homestead credit work? A: The homestead credit limits assessment increases on owner-occupied homes and provides a reduction in taxable assessed value. It does not reduce the market value assessment but caps how much your taxable assessment can increase year-over-year. You must apply annually with the PVA office.

Q: When are properties reassessed in McLean County? A: The PVA conducts ongoing assessments with periodic comprehensive reviews. New construction and improvements are assessed when completed or discovered. Property owners receive assessment notices by May 15th each year.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the McLean County Board of Assessment Appeals within 30 days of receiving your assessment notice. Contact the PVA office at (270) 273-3717 for appeal forms and procedures.

Q: What happens if I pay my taxes late? A: A 2% penalty is added immediately after the due date, with additional penalties and interest accruing monthly. After one year, properties become delinquent and subject to tax sale procedures.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Yes, online payments are typically available through the McLean County Clerk's website. Contact the Clerk's office at (270) 273-3082 to verify current online payment options and any associated fees.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within McLean County? A: Different areas of the county are served by different combinations of special taxing districts (fire districts, school districts, drainage districts). Your total rate depends on which districts serve your specific property location.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
Tax Doc
Motor Vehicle Property Tax Rates 2025revenue.ky.gov
02
Tax Doc
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY PROPERTY TAX RATESrevenue.ky.gov
03
Tax Doc
2025 PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX FORMS AND ...revenue.ky.gov
04
Tax Doc
IRS Announcement KY-2024-03 Includes Kentucky Tax Reliefrevenue.ky.gov
05
County
McLean County Treasurer & Tax Collectormcleancountyil.gov
06
State
2019 Real Estate Exemption List. ...apps.legislature.ky.gov
07
august-2020-990-index.csvirs.gov
08
County
McLean County Property Tax Inquirymcleancountyil.gov
09
County
report of the audit of the mclean county sheriff's settlementauditor.ky.gov
10
Tax Doc
Property Tax Forms and Instructions for Public Service ...revenue.ky.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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