Boone County Property Valuation Administrator

Boone County PVA
Frequently Asked Questions

REAL PROPERTY TAX QUESTIONS

How in the world did they come up with my assessment?
Your assessment is based on a variety of factors. Please see Assessment: Residential for a detailed explanation.
Why did our assessment go up so much in one year? We didn’t do anything to it and we were told that it could only go up so much in one year.

Your assessment is often based on what comparable homes are selling for in your neighborhood. Especially in Boone County, this can sometimes appreciate faster than expected. Also, remember that your property is usually only revalued once every four years. Therefore, the increase is actually reflecting four years worth of appreciation.

House Bill 44 was enacted to limit the increase of countywide taxes 4% per year. This is a very complex formula that dictates only the tax rate, not the assessment value.

Although, our office strives to keep up with the fair cash value of every home in Boone County, sometimes the reality is that market values have increased that much in your neighborhood. We would be happy to meet with you any time to discuss the sales and reasons behind your assessment.

Why does the person down the street with all the land have a lower value than mine?
Agricultural and Horticultural Property (usually defined as greater than 10 acres) has a specific agricultural value and is not taxed the same as a residence. It is a tool designed to help farmers be able to afford their land. It would be infeasible for farmers and landowners to pay the tax on their full fair cash value. See Assessment: Agricultural.
If I buy property after January 1st, when will I get a tax bill?
If you purchased property after January 1st of any tax year, you will not receive a tax bill in your name, until the following year. (e.g. if you bought a house January 15, 2007, you will not receive a tax bill until October, 2008). However, depending on your closing statement, you may be required to pay the tax bill in the previous owners‘ name. This should be an adjustment of your closing costs and determined at the time of closing.
How come you can‘t appeal your property when you get your tax bill?

KRS 133.045 dictates the inspection period to be the first Monday in May and to extend for two weeks thereafter. The assessments must be finalized before the tax rates are calculated.

You should receive a notice in April, if your property value has changed and there will be an advertisement in the Boone County Recorder notifying the county of the inspection period.

What is the tax rate of an address?

There are 14 different tax districts in Boone County. Each tax district has a different tax rate which must be approved by the Boone County Fiscal Court. The tax rate consists of a state tax rate, a county tax rate, a city tax rate (if applicable), a library tax rate, a health tax rate, an extension office health rate, a fire district rate and a school district rate.

To find the tax rate of a particular address, please use our Tax Calculator.

I moved in my house in February, but I can‘t get the homestead until next year? Why?
Real Estate taxes are determined AS OF JANUARY 1st. You will not be eligible for the Homestead Exemption until you are in the property, as of January 1st. Likewise, you may not be responsible for your taxes that first year. See If I buy property after January 1st, when will I get a tax bill?
I bought my house in April for less than what the tax bill says. How come I have to pay the higher amount?
Real Estate taxes are determined AS OF JANUARY 1st. Therefore, the value at that date is what our office has determined to be the value at the beginning of the tax year. Your real estate taxes will be adjusted for the purchase price the following tax year. However, you may not be responsible for paying the entire amount of the tax bill. See If I buy property after January 1st, when will I get a tax bill?
The neighbor next door gets a discount? How come I don’t?
The exemption your neighbor may be getting is a special exemption only for elderly or disabled persons. See Exemptions.
How much do you get off for the Homestead/Disability Exemption?
For 2007, the exemption amount is $31,400.
Can I get the Homestead/Disability Exemption for Commercial Property?
Yes, but only if you own AND occupy the building. (e.g. you live on the second floor of the commercial building)

MOTOR VEHICLE PROPERTY TAX QUESTIONS

How do you determine the assessment on vehicles?
The assessment value on vehicles is the NADA Trade-In Value as of January 1st for each year.
I do not agree with the value of my vehicle. How can I get it lowered?
The PVA office can sometimes lower the value of your vehicle if you have excessive mileage or excessive damage. See Personal Property: Motor Vehicle
I have either sold a vehicle or moved out of state. What do I do now?
To get your vehicle off of the tax roll, you must supply the PVA office with either:
  1. A copy of a bill of sale or
  2. A copy of the front & back of the KY title indicating you signed the vehicle over.
    If you moved out of state, you may provide us with a copy of your new title, or a copy of your registration.
Why do I have to pay a whole year of tax when I didn’t own the car for the entire year?
All vehicle taxes are AS OF JANUARY 1st. You are able to pay in your birth month only as a convenience so that everyone is not paying their taxes the same month. Although, your vehicle tags may be good from birth month to birth month, your taxes are from January to December.
I turned in all my vehicle information to the clerks office and I’m still getting a tax bill. No one told me I had to come here also. Why don’t your offices communicate?
While we do our best to share information, it is often difficult with the influx of people and data to do so all the time. The County Clerk is a county office and the PVA office is a separate state office. We are working everyday to bridge these communication gaps that may sometimes overlay.
I turned in my license plates. Is there anything else?
See I have either sold a vehicle or moved out of state. What do I do now?
My car went out of state. How come that state didn’t notify you?
Other states do not make Kentucky aware when a vehicle is transferred out-of-state. Unfortunately, you have to contact both offices to ensure that the vehicle has been properly removed from one state and registered in another state.
I junked my car and gave my title to the junkyard. Why am I still getting a tax bill?
You are still receiving a tax bill because the junkyard does not always let our office know when they receive a “junked” vehicle. Please make a copy of the front and back of the title and fax it in our office with the Motor Vehicle Affidavit.

TANGIBLE PROPERTY TAX QUESTIONS

Where did the assessed value on my tangible returns come from?
Your assessed value is based on the tangible return you filed with our office in May.
I received a tangible tax bill. What is it for? How did you come up with that figure?
Your tangible tax bill is based on your KY Tangible Return, Form 62A500, which you file in our office by May of each year. The calculated tax is based on the reported value you listed on the return.