The Assessment Process
Why Have Real Estate Taxes?
The purpose of a property tax is to fairly distribute the necessary tax burden among all property owners based upon the market value of their property. Properties are assessed so that some of the costs associated with providing services, such as public education, fire and police protection, roads and utilities, can be allocated to property owners in proportion to the market value of their individual properties.
What Is A Reassessment?
The PVA is required by law to conduct an annual reassessment of all real estate in the county. Reassessment does not necessarily result in increased assessments for all properties. The assessment is a estimation of the sale price a property would bring if sold during the time period in which the assessment was made. All residential neighborhoods do not appreciate or depreciate at the same rate. Commercial properties differ, as well, in how the market reacts to changing trends. Generally, in a given fiscal year reassessment, there will be assessments that rise, fall or stay the same based on internal and external factors that influence property values. Reassessment is simply the process by which the assessed value of each property is updated to keep that value consistent with what the property is worth on the open market.
How Is Property Assessed?
There are three accepted methods for valuing real estate:
The Sales Comparison Approach:
To find the value of any property, the PVA must first know the selling prices of similar properties. This method compares your property to others that have sold. When using the sales comparison approach, the PVA considers and analyzes all available market data to arrive at a fair valuation of your property. Size, quality, condition, amenities, location and time of sale are some of the important factors given consideration. The sales comparison approach generally produces the most reliable indication of the value of residential property.
The Cost Approach:
The cost approach estimates the current costs of material and labor needed to replace your home with one of similar quality and function. Depreciation is factored into the valuation of the improvements.
The cost approach is a good method for assessomg special purpose and unique properties that are usually owner occupied, seldom sell for the use they were constructed for, and have a limited market base.
The Income Approach:
The income approach values the revenue producing capabilities of a property. This method reviews market data derived from commercial properties to determine income, expenses, vacancy rates and capitalization rates. A net operating income is capitalized into a value which includes the land. The income approach is widely used to assess commercial properties which generate income derived from tenant leases.
How Is The Amount Of Real Estate Tax Determined?
The PVA's primary responsibility is to estimate the fair market value of your property, so that you pay only your fair share of taxes. The amount you pay in real estate tax is determined by a tax rate applied to the assessed value of your property. The tax rate is set by taxing districts and determined by the amount of revenue needed to provide the many tax district services offered to our citizens.
Real Estate Taxes = Assessment x Tax Rate
When Are Taxes Due And To Whom Do I Pay Them?
All state, county and district taxes except as otherwise provides by law, shall be due and payable to the Sheriff on September 15 following the assessment. Any taxpayer who pays his state, county or district taxes by November 1 after they become due in any year shall be entitled to two percent (2%) discount theron and the Sheriff shall allow the discount to give a receipt in full to the taxpayer.
When the tax collection schedule is delayed through no fault of the taxpayers, the Revenue Cabinet may institute a revised collection schedule. The revised collection dates shall allow a two percent (2%) discount for all payments made within 30 calendar days of the date the tax bills were mailed. Upon expiration of the time period to pay the tax bill with a discount, the face amount of the tax bill shall be due in the next 30 days. If the time period to pay the face amount has lapsed, a two percent (2%) penalty shall be added to the tax bill for payments made in the next 30 days.
What Are Your Rights And Responsibilities?
It is the preference of the PVA to use the sales comparison method; however, if you have questions regarding your assessment, or if your opinion of the value of your property differs from the PVA, our staff is available to provide you with answers about the assessment process and your specific assessment. They will also explain the procedure for requesting a review of the assessment. The phone number for the PVA Office is (502) 633-4403.
You can help us with our goal of producing fair and equitable assessments by verifying that the information contained in the assessment record for your property is correct.
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