Property is not prorated on the tax roll when acquired and is not prorated off the tax roll when disposed of (K.S.A. 79-309). However, private contracts between buyers and sellers will often prorate the property tax. The only exceptions to this are for motor vehicles and when taxable property becomes exempt or exempt property becomes taxable.
Documents must be an original. The only exceptions are certified copies from the courts.
The formula for calculating residential real estate properties is as follows:
Appraised value x 11.5% = Assessed value x mill levy-$46.00*= Taxes**
* Residential properties receive a credit on the first $20,000 of assessment on the general portion of the school mill levy. This calculates to $46.00 per property.
** This will not include any specials that might be assessed such as sidewalks, streets, etc.
You can view and/or print a copy of the different fee schedules for Douglas County by visiting the Douglas County Fee Schedule page. his fee schedule contains fees for the following categories/departments:
Vendors may apply for a fireworks permit by submitting a site plan, proof of sales tax, legal description and property owner's name to the County Zoning & Codes Department. The sale of fireworks or use of fireworks is allowed on July 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of each year only.
This is how you can calculate the property taxes on your property:
Contact your county clerk to find out what your mill levy is.
Contact us or the Douglas County Treasurer by email, phone or US Mail and we will update your mailing address.
If the existing pipe or tube is too small to handle normal rainfall amounts then you should contact the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293. We will study the location and make a determination as to the best manner to proceed.
If the width of your entrance is too narrow because you have changed the type or size of vehicle(s) you are using then you would be responsible for the upgrade (widening) of the entrance. Applications for the upgrade of entrances are identical to those required for the installation of new entrances and are available at the Engineering Division office at the Public Works Department, 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046. It would be very helpful if you could bring a copy of your property's legal description which can be found on your property tax statement.
Roads are vacated by a legislative act by the Board of County Commissioners. The process to vacate a road is authorized by K.S.A. 68-102 et seq and, additionally, by Douglas County Charter Resolution No. 94-2-1. A hearing before the board and pertinent township board is required prior to action. Various public notices of the hearing(s) are required.
While it is possible for the Board of County Commissioners to vacate a road on their own initiative they are typically reluctant to do so without a petition.
Applications for the installation of new entrances are available at the Engineering Division office at the Public Works Department, 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046. It would be very helpful if you could bring a copy of your property's legal description which can be found on your property tax statement. There is a $75.00 fee required for submission of an application. If you have any questions you may call the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293.
Permission to place a gate on a rural public road may only be granted by the Board of County Commissioners only in locations that are typically agricultural in nature and not subject to routine traffic. Requests are made to the Public Works Department, 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046.
If you have any questions you may call the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293.
If the tax owing is Real Estate tax you can:
The best way to subdivide property is to utilize the services of a professional land surveyor or multi-disciplined consulting firm. The local regulations can be complicated and, in addition, various state laws and regulations require certain activities be performed by licensed professionals. If you have specific questions regarding the process you may contact the Lawrence - Douglas County Planning office located in the Lawrence City Hall at 6th Street and Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas or you may telephone that office at 785-832-3150.
If your property value goes up, it does not necessarily mean you will pay more taxes. Likewise, if your property value goes down or does not change, it does not automatically mean you will pay less or the same amount of taxes. Changes in property taxes are based in large part on how much your local government decides to spend on services each year.
Real estate and personal property payment history can be found online through the Property Search page.
The website contains only Real Estate information. Personal property history can be obtained by contacting our office 785-832-5178. Payment information for your car tags can be found on your registration. If you want the amount paid please be prepared with a plate number for each vehicle, you can call us at 785-832-5273.
Any overages occurring from a tax sale are turned over to the Douglas County District Court. The Treasurer’s Office does not retain a listing of these properties.
Entrances must be constructed to proper standards and specifications for reasons primarily related to traffic safety. The standards and specifications are contained within an Entrance Construction Application Form available at the Engineering Division office at the Public Works Department, 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046. There is a $75.00 fee required for submission of an application. If you have any questions you may call the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293.
First half taxes are due December 20th. Second half taxes are due May 10th.
If the payment is for real estate, you have until May 9th to still pay the first half with interest. If the payment is for personal property, the full amount plus interest becomes due on December 21st.
It is a tax based on value, or property tax.
The county voters passed a 1.0% countywide sales tax in 1994. The countywide sales tax goes to the county and cities based on formulas. The main purpose of this tax for the county was to build a new jail and health facility, and to reduce ad valorem taxes.
The county voters passed a 0.25% sales tax in 2018 for the purpose of financing the costs of providing mental health services for the county. Collection of the sales tax began April 1, 2019.
Article 11, Section 1 of The Kansas Constitution provides that: Tangible personal property shall be classified into six subclasses and assessed uniformly by subclass at the following assessment percentages:
By law, all property in this state, real and personal, not expressly exempt therefrom, is subject to taxation.
K.S.A. 79-306 requires all taxable personal property to be listed, by the taxpayer, on a rendition (also referred to as a 'statement') and filed with the county appraiser on or before March 15th of each year, or the next following business day, if such date falls on a day other than a regular business day. Oil and gas renditions are to be filed on or before april lst.
Real Estate properties are eligible for foreclosure proceedings 2 years and 10 months after the property has been “bid over to the county”. The bid process occurs the first Tuesday in September after taxes become delinquent.
As directed by KSA 19-547, a listing of all delinquent personal property taxes will be published three consecutive weeks during the month of October.
As directed by KSA 79-2303, a listing of all delinquent real estate properties will be published three consecutive weeks during the month of August.
For current information on county tax sales, please check our Tax Foreclosures page. For information on sales handled by the Sheriff's Office, please visit the Sheriff Sales page.
You can get the entire fee schedule by visiting the Register of Deeds Fee Schedule, or by visiting the Register of Deeds Office.
Any of our three locations:
** Indicates outside drop box at these two locations.
Road maps are available at the Engineering Division office at the Public Works Department, 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046.
All printed and standard maps are $5.00/each
Maps may also be ordered by telephone. If you have any questions you may call the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293.
Ownership maps are available at the Engineering Division office at the Public Works Department, 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046.
All printed and standard maps are $5.00/each unless customizations are made to layout or display.
Maps may also be ordered by telephone. If you have any questions you may call the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293.
The Register of Deeds is a county official elected to a four-year term who ensures that documents are recorded properly and also maintains and preserves those records according to Kansas law. The current Register of Deeds is Kent Brown.
K.S.A. 79-303 states "Every person, association, company or corporation who owns or holds, subject to his or her control, any taxable personal property is required by law to list the property for assessment."
If any person, association, company or corporation has in their possession or custody any taxable personal property belonging to others, it shall be their duty to list the property with the appraiser in the name of the owner of the property.
Except for certain motor vehicles, property tax due on personal property is the responsibility of the owner of record January 1 of each year. For real property, if not addressed in private contract, the buyer is responsible for the property tax if the property is sold on or after January 1 and before November 1. The seller is responsible for the property tax if purchased on or after November 1 and prior to January 1. (K.S.A. 79-1805) Private contracts between buyer and seller will often specify who pays the taxes.
Your tax dollars are used by local government to provide funding for roads, parks, fire protection, police protection, health and other services. Property taxes also fund public school districts. All property tax dollars received by the state are redistributed to public school districts or to educational building funds.