525 N. Main, #227  Wichita, KS.  67203, Tel: (316) 660-9110 Fax: (316) 383-7457 

Informal Hearing Process

Taxpayers may appeal or challenge their property’s classification and/or appraised value in one of two ways. The value may be appealed in the spring, after the appraiser has notified the taxpayer of the property’s appraised value, or the value may be appealed when taxes are paid under protest. However, unlike in the past, the property value may be appealed only once per tax year.

Equalization Appeals

Valuation Notices are mailed annually March 1 for Real Property and May 1 for Personal Property. To appeal the new value, sign the form and send it back to the address listed within 30 days of the date on the Valuation Notice for Real Property or May 15th for Personal Property. An informal hearing with one of our hearing officers is then scheduled. If someone other than the owner will be handling the hearing, a Declaration of Representative form should be filled out and sent back with the Valuation Notice. This form certifies the named person/agent is authorized to represent the property owner at the hearing.

During the valuation appeal period, if a Valuation Notice was not received, call our office at 660-9110 or request one online. This should be done as soon as possible after the Valuation Notices have been mailed. Once the Valuation Notice has been signed and mailed back, the appeal process has been initiated. In order to remain in the appeal process, the taxpayer or their representative must attend the Informal Hearing. Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of the right to protest the value for that tax year.

Payment Under Protest

The second type of appeal open to taxpayers is the property tax Payment Under Protest. The new value will not result in a tax bill until November. Protests maybe filed at the time the first half taxes are paid by December 20th or at the time the second half taxes are paid by June 20th, but not both times. If the Mortgage Company pays the taxes directly, an appeal may be filed with the County Treasurer at any time after the tax bills have been sent out, but before January 31st. All Payment Under Protest appeals originate with the County Treasurer. The protest form may be filled out at the Treasurer's office, or the taxpayer can call 660-9110 and the County Treasurer will mail or fax the protest form. After the protest form has been filed with the Treasurer, the Appraiser’s Office will schedule an Informal Hearing with one of our hearing officers.

Hearing Results

If the taxpayer disagrees with the Informal Hearing decision, additional avenues of appeal are available up to and including Kansas District Court. Instructions for appealing to the next level will be given at the time of the Informal Hearing and on the Notification Hearing results letter, which will be provided when a decision has been reached regarding the appeal.