Stafford County Departments
209 North Broadway
St. John, Kansas 67576
Business Hours
8 am - 5 pm
Monday - Friday
CLOSED HOLIDAYSFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Personal Property?
A key characteristic of personal property is the ability to move it without damage either to itself or to the real estate to which it is attached. Personal property becomes real property only if it is affixed in such a way that is loses its original physical character and cannot practically be restored to it is original condition.
Personal property may be leased, loaned, rented, consigned or owned. The basic categories include: furniture, fixtures, plant equipment, office equipment, machinery, boats, aircraft, mobile homes and recreational vehicles.
What are some examples of business personal property?
- telephone systems
- fax machines
- copy machines
- desks and chairs
- computers and postage meters
- shelving and racks
- plant machinery
- storage tanks
- refrigeration units
- high loaders/tools/dies/molds
- industrial equipment
- manufacturing equipment, materials and supplies
- satellite equipment
- minerals
What are some examples of individual personal property?
- boats
- non-highway vehicles
- sailboards
- heavy trucks
- trailers
- hot-air balloons
- mobile homes
- off-road vehicles
- four-wheelers
- aircraft
What about automobiles?
Automobiles and most recreational vehicles are classed and taxed at the time of registration for license plate or renewal decal. Please check with a personal property appraiser in the Stafford County Appraiser's Office for further clarification of what constitutes taxable personal property.
What is commercial value?
The valuation of owned or leased commercial personal property is based ont he cost of assets. Assets are valued according to their cost when new, or their used acquisition cost, and the appropriate economic life. The asset is then depreciated over its economic life to a remaining salvage value. Since January 1, 2003, any qualifying item of commercial personal property that originally cost $400 or less is exempt .Economic lives that are assigned to commercial assets come from guidelines issued by the State of Kansas, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publications and the Marshall and Swift Valuation Services.What is the individual personal property value?
Many personal property assets belonging to individuals are valued from market data using appraisal guides and state and regional market sources. This market data is then used to establish the current values of a particular asset. Typically, this value will be based on current trade-in values according to the age of the asset and market condition. Automobiles, light trucks and motorcycles are classed separately by the State of Kansas.Who must list personal property?
According to Kansas Statute:
K.S.A. 79-303: "Every person, association, company or corporation who shall own or hold, subject to his or her control, any tangible personal property shall list said property for assessment."K.S.A. 79-301: "All tangible personal property subject to taxation shall be listed and assessed as of the first day of January of each year in the name of the owner thereof."
Remember: It is your responsibility to file this information with the County Appraiser's Office. If you own any tangible personal property with the intent to establish and /or operate a business (including home based business), or if you own any recreational property or vehicles not taxes at the time of registration, or mobile homes not on a permanent foundation, you must file a rendition with the County Appraiser's Office.
The rendition form is available through the Appraiser's Office.
How are taxes figured on personal property?
If the fair market value of your individual personal property is $5,000 and the fixed percentage of assessment is 30%, this would mean the assessed value would be $1,500: ($5,000 x .30 = $1,500)
Once taxing groups (school districts, cities, county, etc.) set their mill levy, this amount is used to calculate your taxes.
Let's assume the combined mill levy (tax rate) has been set at 120 mills. Multiply the assessed value of your property ($1,500) by the mill levy (120 mills or .120). The answer is $180, which is your share of the costs of public service.
Market Value Assessment Ratio Assessed Value (A.V.) Mill Levy (120 mills per $1,000 A.V.) Tax Amount The County Appraiser mails a Notice of Appraised Value to all personal property owners in Stafford County notifying them of the appraised value of their personal property as of January 1st.
The value notice identifies the property, the classification of the property (individual or commercial personal property), the appraised value, and the assessed value for the current and prior year, and instructions on how to appeal the appraisal.
These appraised values of personal property are determined from the accurate listings provided by the owner earlier in the year.
You may obtain tax grievance and tax exemption forms from the Appraiser's Office. You will need a grievance form if you have been assessed a penalty and wish to grieve it before the State Board of Tax Appeals
NOTE: Property owners may appeal the value on their property only once during any tax year.
Payment Under Protest forms are used to address valuation issues on personal property reported at the time the bill is issued and is paid. This form must accompany the payment of taxes to the County Treasurer's office.
This form is available through the County Treasurer's office. They will be happy to discuss this form and its completion with you.
Tax Exemption forms are used for individuals or businesses wishing to acquire an exempt status on certain property according to K.S.A. 79-201, et seq.
Where do I register to vote?
The County Clerk's office or at the Driver's License Examiner's office when you renew your license. Sometimes political organizations set up booths at local businesses close to election time at which you can register also.
Where can I buy a hunting or fishing license?
The County Clerk's office / various other vendors / Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
What information do I need to file my Homestead Return and my Food Sales Tax Return?
Total household income, including Social Security, and a copy of tax statement
When can I expect my Homestead and Food Sales Tax refund?
It usually takes about six weeks.
How do I find out who owns a certain piece of property?
Bring the legal description or address to the Clerk's office.Do we have county zoning?
Yes, See the Zoning Administrator page.Who takes care of the little cemeteries?
Call the County Clerk's office for this answer. They are all handled by different people.
How can I use my Homestead Refund to help pay up to half of my property tax?
If you received a homestead refund last year, you will automatically receive a Refund Advancement Letter and Form ELG from the Kansas Department of Revenue. Take the department's letter and last year's property tax statement to your County Clerk's office by December 20 of that year. A homestead claim must still be filed after January 1 of the next year.
When should I receive my tax bill?
You should receive your real estate and personal property tax statement for the current year by the middle part of November. If only the first half of the current year taxes are paid in December, the second half tax statements are mailed out in Mid May. If the full amount was paid in December, you should not receive a second half statement.
What if my mortgage company pays my real estate taxes and I received the tax bill?
If you have an escrow account for your real estate taxes with a mortgage company, the mortgage company should receive the tax statement. If you do receive the tax statement instead of the mortgage company, we ask you to forward it to the mortgage company so they can pay taxes from the escrow account. We also ask you to have your current mortgage company notify the County Treasurer's office so that we can get the correct billing information from them.
What should I do if I don't receive a tax bill?
If you are to receive a statement but do not by the end of November, please contact the County Treasurer's office at 620-549-3508.
When are my real estate taxes due?
If you are responsible for paying taxes on a home or other real estate property, the full amount could be paid or the half amount on or before December 20 of that tax year. If the first half is paid, the second half of that year's taxes are due on or before May 10 of the following year.
Mortgage companies are required by Federal Law to make half payments, so they will be paying taxes on or before December 20 and on or before May 10.
What happens if I don't pay my real estate taxes on time?
If the first half of the current year real estate taxes are not paid by December 20, interest will start accruing December 21. You should receive a delinquent real estate tax reminder the first week of January.
If the mortgage company was to have paid these taxes, you must inform them that the Treasurer's office for the County did not receive the payment. If there are any questions, the mortgage company needs to call the County Treasurer's office at 620-549-3508.
You or the mortgage company can pay the first half of the current year taxes with interest up until May 10. After May 10, if the first half of the real estate taxes has not been paid, the full amount of the current year tax plus interest will have to be paid. If the current year tax has not been paid by the first of August, there will be an additional fee of $15.00 for advertising. Stafford County is required by Kansas State law (KSA79-2303) to publish a list of unpaid real estate taxes.
If taxes go unpaid by the first Tuesday after the first Monday in September, taxes will be put on the delinquent tax roll, and it becomes a lien on the real estate. If you want to pay delinquent years, Kansas State Law (KSA79-2401A) requires that the most delinquent year be paid first. Example: If you have taxes owing for 2000, 2001, and 2002, the full amount for 2000 must be paid before payment for the 2001 and 2002, or, of course, you can pay all the years at once.
When would my real estate property be up for tax sale?
Real estate property taxes three years delinquent are subject to a tax foreclosure action and public sale.
When are my personal property taxes due?
The first half of the personal property taxes are due on or before December 20. If you pay the first half of the personal property taxes in December, the second half is due on or before May 10 of the following year.
What happens if I don't pay my personal property taxes on time?
If the first half of the personal property taxes are not paid by December 20, the full tax amount plus interest becomes due, starting December 21. Delinquent notices for personal property are sent out the third week in February. If they are not paid, warrants are issued. Warrants are issued 30 days after notices are mailed. Tax warrants go to the County Sheriff for collection of delinquent taxes, interest, and sheriff fees. Payments are payable to the County Sheriff.
If you paid the first half of your personal property taxes on time, the second half of the personal property taxes are due on or before May 10. If these taxes are not paid by May 10, interest will begin to accrue.
Delinquent personal property tax notices are mailed on or before July 27. If they are not paid, tax warrants are issued by August 15. All delinquent personal property tax must be paid at the County Sheriff's office. Kansas State Law (KSA79-2017) requires delinquent personal property to be advertised in October. If you have any previous years owing on personal property tax, they must be paid at the County Sheriff's office.
What is the interest charged on delinquent taxes?
At the current time, it is 7% annually.
What type of payment is acceptable for tax payment?
You may use a personal check, money order, cashier's check, or cash.
To whom do I make my check out?
For real estate and personal property tax statements and reminders, make checks payable to Stafford County Treasurer. For personal property tax warrants, checks should be made out to Stafford County Treasurer.
Where can I pay real estate and personal property taxes?
For real estate and personal property tax statements and reminders, make checks payable to Stafford County Treasurer. For personal property tax warrants, checks should be made out to Stafford County Treasurer.
To where can I mail my tax payment?
The Stafford County Treasurer, 209 N. Broadway, St. John, Ks. 67576
Does everyone have to have their photo taken to be issued a drivers' license or ID card?
Those that say they have a "religious objection" do not have to have their photo taken.What about "headgear" in photos?
Headgear" should be removed prior to taking the photo, however there are some exceptions.Can a sixteen year old get an age restricted license?
No. An age restricted license can only be issued to a 15 year old applicant.
What is the maximum number of cc's that a bike can have and still be considered a moped?
130 cc's
What is the maximum brake horsepower that a bike can have and still be considered a moped?
3.5 brake horsepower
Can I issue a Moped Only license to an applicant with a suspended drivers' license?
Yes, an applicant with suspended privileges can obtain a Moped only license, however an applicant with a revoked privileges can not.
Can I renew a Non-Resident CDL?
Yes, a non-resident CDL should be treated as an other license renewal.