Personal Property

What is personal property?

Personal property is "...every tangible thing which is the subject of ownership, not forming part or parcel of real property" [K.S.A. 79-102].

What personal property is taxable?

By law, all property in this state, not expressly exempt, is subject to taxation. Information regarding property tax exemptions can be found in the Property Exempt from Taxation section [K.S.A. 79-101].

When and where does a taxpayer file a rendition?

All taxable personal property is to be listed by the taxpayer on a rendition that must be filed with the county appraiser on or before March 15th of each year. Oil and gas renditions must be filed on or before April 1st of each year.  The county appraiser may grant the taxpayer an extension to file if the taxpayer submits a request in writing to the appraiser on or before the March 15th or April 1st deadline, stating just and adequate reasons for the extension.

What happens if a taxpayer doesn't file a listing of their personal property with the county? 

The county appraiser is required by law to apply a penalty to the assessed value of personal property that is not listed in a timely manner or that is not listed at all. The county appraiser may grant the taxpayer an extension to file if the taxpayer submits a request in writing to the appraiser on or before the March 15th or April 1st deadline, stating just and adequate reasons for the extension.

If the county appraiser grants the taxpayer an extension to the filing deadline, penalties are calculated from the March 15th deadline, (April 1st for oil and gas renditions) not the date of the extended deadline.

[K.S.A. 79-1422, 79-1457, K.S.A. 79-306, 79-322]

Place of Listing

As a general rule, all tangible personal property is listed in the taxing district where the property is located on the first day of January, except for:

1. Tangible personal property owned by a Kansas resident that is stationed, located or stored on any municipal airport or airfield is listed and taxed in the taxing district where the owner resides. If the owner is not a resident of Kansas or the County in which the property is located, then the property is listed where it is located.
2. Motor vehicles used by students while attending a university or college and owned by such student or another person are listed in the taxing district where the owner resides on January 1st.
3. The tangible personal property of banks, bankers, brokers, merchants, insurance or other companies (except mutual fire insurance companies) is listed in the taxing district were their business is usually done.
4. The tangible personal property of manufactures or mines is listed in the taxing district where the manufactures or mines are located.
5. Personal property in transit is listed in the taxing district where the owner resided unless it is intended for a particular business, then it is listed in the taxing district where the business is to be transacted.

Property Removed from Kansas

Whenever property is removed from Kansas between November 1 and the following January 1, and then returned to Kansas prior to the following March 1, the property must still be listed unless the owner submits proof that the property was removed for a legitimate business purpose and was listed for taxation in another state. [K.S.A. 79-304]