AppealDesk

Jefferson County Property Tax Appeal, Kansas

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 22, 2026

Jefferson County is located in northeastern Kansas with a population of approximately 18,285 as of 2026. The county seat is Oskaloosa, and other notable cities include Valley Falls, Meriden, Nortonville, Perry, and Ozawkie. Property tax appeals are particularly important in Jefferson County given the county's median effective tax rate of 1.31%, which ranks 7th highest among Kansas's 105 counties. The median home value of $136,200 is slightly above the Kansas state median, and the median annual property tax bill of $1,779 is below the national median of $2,400, though the effective tax rate remains higher than the national median of 1.02%.

Notable cities: Oskaloosa, Valley Falls, Meriden, Nortonville, Perry, Ozawkie

Median Home

$136,200

Tax Rate

1.31%

Annual Tax

$1,779

Population

18,285

On the typical Jefferson County home, valued near $136,200 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.31%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Appeal Deadline: 30 days from the date your Notice of Valuation is mailed

Jefferson County mails valuation notices on or before March 1st each year. Property owners have exactly 30 days from the date the Notice of Valuation is mailed to file an appeal with the County Appraiser's Office. If you miss this deadline, you can still appeal by filing a Payment Under Protest when you pay your taxes in November or by January 31st if taxes are paid through escrow. You cannot appeal both the Notice of Valuation and pay under protest in the same tax year.

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Kansas wheat field under a blue sky. Jefferson County appeal guide.

How Jefferson County Assesses Property

11.5%of market value

Assessed by: Jefferson County Appraiser's Office

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: on or before March 1st

Kansas assesses residential property at exactly 11.5% of its market value. This is the assessed value used to calculate your taxes. For example, if your home's market value is $136,200 (the county median), your assessed value would be $15,663 ($136,200 × 0.115). At Jefferson County's effective tax rate of 1.31%, this results in approximately $1,779 in annual property taxes. Understanding this distinction is critical when appealing, as you must prove your market value is incorrect, not your assessed value.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the State Court of Tax Appeals. After filing an informal appeal, you will meet with the County Appraiser or their staff to present your evidence. The appraiser may schedule a property inspection to verify your claims. If the informal review doesn't resolve your dispute, you can escalate to the State Court of Tax Appeals for a formal hearing.

1

Contact the Jefferson County Appraiser's Office within 30 days of receiving your Notice of Valuation by calling (785) 863-2080 or visiting in person at 300 Jefferson St., Oskaloosa

2

Request and complete a property tax appeal form explaining why you believe your property value is incorrect and provide supporting documentation

3

Gather evidence including recent comparable sales of similar properties in your area, photographs showing property damage or defects, recent appraisals, or documentation of property characteristics errors

4

Submit your completed appeal form with all supporting evidence to the County Appraiser's Office via mail (P.O. Box 331, Oskaloosa, KS 66066), in person, or fax (785-403-0773)

5

Attend an informal conference with the County Appraiser to discuss your appeal; the appraiser may inspect your property to verify the information presented

6

If the informal decision is unsatisfactory, file an appeal with the Small Claims and Expedited Hearings division of the State Court of Tax Appeals (COTA) for properties under $2 million

7

If dissatisfied with the Small Claims decision, appeal to the full Court of Tax Appeals (COTA); properties valued over $2 million can appeal directly to COTA

8

As a final option, if administrative appeals are exhausted, you may appeal your assessment in district court

Required form: Contact the Jefferson County Assessor's Office at (785) 863-2080 to request a property tax appeal form, or submit a written letter of disagreement

Filing Methods

phone:Call (785) 863-2080 to request an appeal form and initiate the informal review process
in-person:Visit the Appraiser's Office at 300 Jefferson St., Oskaloosa, KS 66066 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)
mail:Mail appeal forms to Jefferson County Appraiser's Office, P.O. Box 331, Oskaloosa, KS 66066
fax:Fax appeal documents to (785) 403-0773

Evidence to Bring

Recent sale prices of 3-5 comparable properties in your neighborhoodPhotographs documenting property damage, defects, or condition issuesRecent professional appraisal or evaluationDocumentation of property characteristic errors (incorrect square footage, lot size, number of bedrooms/bathrooms)Repair estimates for significant structural issuesEvidence of declining market conditions in your area

Jefferson County Assessor Contact

Jefferson County Appraiser's Office

Website: https://www.jfcountyks.com/99/Appraisers-Office

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Tax Exemptions in Jefferson County

Statewide School Levy Exemption

First $20,000 of appraised value

Automatic exemption from the 20-mill statewide school levy for residential property

Eligibility: All residential property owners (applies to RR/RU, FR/FU classifications and manufactured/mobile homes)Deadline: Automatic - no application required

Homestead Refund (K-40H)

Up to $700 maximum refund based on household income

Rebate of a portion of property taxes paid on your primary residence

Eligibility: Kansas residents who owned and occupied a home for the entire year; household income of $43,389 or less; must be 55+ years old, blind, totally disabled, or have a dependent childDeadline: April 15 annually (filed with Kansas Department of Revenue)

SAFESR - Safe Senior Refund (K-40PT)

75% of property taxes paid

Property tax relief for low-income seniors

Eligibility: Kansas residents age 65+ for entire year; household income of $25,380 or less; home valued at $350,000 or less; must have owned and occupied home during entire yearDeadline: April 15 annually (filed with Kansas Department of Revenue)

Senior/Disabled Veteran Refund (K-40SVR)

Difference between current year and base year property taxes

Refund of property tax increases over a base year amount

Eligibility: Kansas residents age 65+ or disabled veterans with 50%+ permanent disability; household income under $53,600; home valued at $350,000 or lessDeadline: April 15 annually (filed with Kansas Department of Revenue)

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% exemption on homestead

Complete property tax exemption for totally disabled veterans

Eligibility: Veterans with 100% service-connected permanent total disability and their surviving spouses (if not remarried)Deadline: Apply with County Appraiser with VA disability certification

Jefferson County Appeal Packet — $49

Comparable sales evidence, county-specific filing guide, and professional cover letter. Enter your address to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Jefferson County?
You have exactly 30 days from the date your Notice of Valuation is mailed to file an appeal with the Jefferson County Appraiser's Office. Jefferson County typically mails these notices on or before March 1st each year. If you miss this 30-day window, you have a second opportunity to appeal by filing a Payment Under Protest when you pay your property taxes in November or by January 31st if your taxes are paid through an escrow account. However, you cannot use both appeal methods in the same tax year, so it's best to file during the initial 30-day period for the most favorable review process.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Jefferson County?
To file a property tax appeal in Jefferson County, first call the Appraiser's Office at (785) 863-2080 within 30 days of receiving your valuation notice to request an appeal form. You can also visit the office in person at 300 Jefferson St. in Oskaloosa during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM). Complete the appeal form explaining why your property value is incorrect and gather supporting evidence such as recent comparable sales, photographs of property issues, or documentation of assessment errors. Submit your completed form with all evidence by mail to P.O. Box 331, Oskaloosa, KS 66066, in person, or by fax to (785) 403-0773. The Appraiser's Office will schedule an informal conference to review your appeal.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Jefferson County?
Kansas provides an automatic statewide school levy exemption on the first $20,000 of appraised value for all residential properties in Jefferson County, which saves approximately $46 annually for most homeowners. This exemption requires no application and is automatically applied. Additionally, Jefferson County homeowners may qualify for one of three refund programs through the Kansas Department of Revenue: the Homestead Refund (K-40H) worth up to $700 for households earning under $43,389, the SAFESR program providing 75% refund of taxes paid for low-income seniors with household income under $25,380, or the Senior/Disabled Veteran Refund (K-40SVR) that refunds property tax increases over a base year for seniors or disabled veterans with income under $53,600. These refund programs must be filed by April 15 annually.
What happens at my informal appeal hearing in Jefferson County?
When you file an appeal in Jefferson County, you'll be scheduled for an informal conference with the County Appraiser or their staff to discuss your concerns about your property valuation. During this meeting, you'll present your evidence including comparable sales data, photographs of property defects, or documentation of assessment errors. The appraiser may request to physically inspect your property to verify the information you've presented and ensure they understand your arguments correctly. The appraiser will review your evidence and make a determination on whether to adjust your property value. If you're satisfied with the informal decision, the process ends there; if you're dissatisfied, you have the right to appeal to the State Court of Tax Appeals (COTA) for a formal hearing.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Jefferson County?
The amount you can save depends on how much your property is overvalued and your success in proving it. In Jefferson County, with a median home value of $136,200 and an effective tax rate of 1.31%, every $10,000 reduction in market value saves approximately $131 annually in property taxes (because Kansas assesses residential property at 11.5% of market value). If your home is overvalued by $20,000, a successful appeal could save you $262 per year. Nationally, about 25% of homes are believed to be overassessed, and those homeowners overpay by an average of $1,346 annually. Given that Jefferson County ranks 7th highest among Kansas counties for property taxes, appealing an incorrect assessment can result in significant long-term savings.
What evidence do I need for a successful Jefferson County property tax appeal?
The strongest evidence for a Jefferson County property tax appeal includes recent sales data from 3-5 comparable properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessed value, ideally within 6-12 months of January 1st (the valuation date). You should gather properties similar in size, age, condition, and location to your home. Photographs documenting any property defects, damage, or condition issues that the appraiser may not have noticed are also valuable. If your property record contains errors such as incorrect square footage, wrong number of bedrooms or bathrooms, or inaccurate lot size, bring documentation proving the correct information. A recent professional appraisal, repair estimates for significant structural problems, and evidence of declining property values in your specific area can also strengthen your case substantially.
Can I appeal my Jefferson County property taxes if I pay through escrow?
Yes, you can absolutely appeal your Jefferson County property taxes even if you pay through a mortgage escrow account. The appeal process is the same whether you pay taxes directly or through escrow. You should file your appeal within 30 days of receiving your Notice of Valuation, which is typically mailed on or before March 1st. If you miss that deadline, you have until January 31st to file a Payment Under Protest appeal specifically because your taxes are paid through escrow (direct payers must file by the tax due date in November). When your appeal is successful and your taxes are reduced, contact your mortgage servicer to request an escrow analysis and potential refund of the overpayment, or to have your monthly payment adjusted downward for future savings.
What is Jefferson County's assessment ratio and how does it affect my taxes?
Jefferson County, like all Kansas counties, assesses residential real property at exactly 11.5% of its fair market value as mandated by the Kansas Constitution. This means if your home has a market value of $136,200 (the county median), your assessed value for tax purposes would be $15,663. Your property tax bill is calculated by multiplying this assessed value by the local mill levy rate. Understanding this 11.5% ratio is crucial when appealing because you must prove your market value is incorrect, not your assessed value. For example, if you successfully reduce your market value from $150,000 to $140,000, your assessed value drops from $17,250 to $16,100, saving you approximately $143 annually at Jefferson County's 1.31% effective tax rate.

Official Resources

Jefferson County Appraiser's Office Website →

Official county appraiser website with property information, appeal process details, and contact information for filing your appeal.

Kansas Department of Revenue - Homestead Refund Programs →

State website for homestead, SAFESR, and senior/disabled veteran property tax refund programs with application forms and eligibility requirements.

Kansas Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA) →

State agency handling formal property tax appeals after informal county-level appeals, with information on filing procedures and hearing schedules.

Jefferson County Property Tax Calendar →

Official county calendar showing important property tax dates including valuation notice mailing, appeal deadlines, and payment due dates.

For state-wide appeal information including Kansas's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Kansas Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Kansas Counties

Johnson County (Overland Park)Sedgwick County (Wichita)
← All Kansas property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.jfcountyks.com/99/Appraisers-Office | https://www.jfcountyks.com/107/Real-Property | https://www.jfcountyks.com/660/Personal-Property-Tax-Calendar | https://www.jfcountyks.com/108/Appeals-Process | http://www.tax-rates.org/kansas/jefferson_county_property_tax | https://www.ksrevenue.gov/perstaxtypeshs.html | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_County,_Kansas

Last verified: 2026-07-22