Sedgwick County, Kansas Appraiser's Office
Appraised Valuation Appeals

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an Informal Hearing?
2. What should taxpayers consider in order to choose between an Equalization Appeal or Payment Under Protest Appeal?
3. What is the deadline to request an Equalization Appeal?
4. What is a Valuation Notice?
5. How may a copy of a Valuation Notice be obtained?
6. When may one apply for Payment Under Protest?
7. What is the date and time of my Informal Hearing?
8. How much time should be allowed for the Informal Hearing?
9. Where will the Informal Hearings be held?
10. Is parking available?
11. What items should be brought to the Informal Hearing?
12. Who will conduct the Informal Hearing?
13. May someone else represent me at the Informal Hearing?
14. Will reschedules be allowed?
15. What options are available if circumstances beyond my control prevent my attendance?
16. Are options available to appeal a property value if the Informal Hearing is missed?
17. What actions are required to appeal Informal Hearing results?
18. What are the levels of appealing real property values up to and including Kansas District Court?

Q. What is an Informal Hearing?

A. An Informal Hearing is an opportunity for a taxpayer to question or appeal a property value or classification.

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Q.  What should taxpayers consider in order to choose between an Equalization Appeal or Payment Under Protest Appeal?

A. Normally taxpayers would choose an Equalization Appeal because the property value is appealed before any tax payment is due. Payment Under Protest can be used if the deadline for Equalization Appeal was missed. However, one half of the taxes will be due upon applying for a Payment Under Protest.

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Q. What is the deadline to request an Equalization Appeal?

A. You have 30 days from the date on the Valuation Notice to request an Equalization Appeal.

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Q.  What is a Valuation Notice?

A. It is the notification of the appraised value for the coming tax year. A copy of a Valuation Notice with explanations of the fields may be viewed online.

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Q.  How may a copy of a Valuation Notice be obtained?

A. You may request a duplicate notice online by clicking here. Otherwise, the information needed will be the Parcel Identification Number and correct mailing address. This information may be routed to the Appraiser’s Office at (316) 660-5439, by email or faxed to (316) 660-5479. Then the notice may be picked up at the Sedgwick County Courthouse located at 525 N. Main or mailed upon request.

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Q.  When may one apply for Payment Under Protest?

A. You may apply for Payment Under Protest when tax payments are made.

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Q.  What is the date and time of my Informal Hearing?

A. The date and time of your Informal Hearing is indicated on the front of the confirmation letter.

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Q.  How much time should be allowed for the Informal Hearing?

A. An Informal Hearing usually lasts approximately 15 minutes.

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Q.  Where will the Informal Hearings be held?

A. The map enclosed with the appointment confirmation letter gives directions to our office at 434 N. Market or see it online.

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Q.  Is parking available?

A. There is limited parking available under the canopy, and meter parking is also available along the streets.

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Q.  What items should be brought to the Informal Hearing?

A. Anything to support the taxpayer’s opinion of value should be brought to the hearing. Examples of what should support a taxpayer’s opinion of value would be photos, comparable sales, old value notices, etc.

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Q.  Who will conduct the Informal Hearing?

A. A qualified appraiser from our office will be assigned to conduct the Informal Hearing.

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Q.  May someone else represent me at the Informal Hearing?

A. Yes, only if you have furnished the Appraiser’s Office with a signed Declaration of Representative form, which can be obtained via the Internet or mailed upon request. The completed Declaration of Representative form can be faxed back to the Appraiser’s Office at (316) 660-5479 or mailed to Hearing Coordinator, 434 N. Market, Wichita, KS 67202 or by email.

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Q.  Will reschedules be allowed?

A. Due to the volume of hearings scheduled every year it is critical for the convenience of all taxpayers for everyone to keep their scheduled hearing appointment.

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Q.  What options are available if circumstances beyond my control prevent my attendance?

A. For taxpayers who are homebound, have residences outside of Sedgwick County or are otherwise physically unable to attend a hearing, a Declaration of Representative may be acquired online or mailed upon request and sent with your selected representative to the hearing. Another option for taxpayers (excluding those on vacation) would be to call (316) 660-5479 and schedule a phone hearing.

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Q.  Are options available to appeal a property value if the Informal Hearing is missed?

A. Failure to appear, or a cancellation of the scheduled Informal Hearing will result in forfeiture of the right to protest the tax year in question.

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Q.  What actions are required to appeal Informal Hearing results?

A. If the result of the Informal Hearing is not satisfactory, the appraiser who held the hearing will provide a form with instructions on how to appeal to the next level.

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Q.  What are the levels of appealing real property values up to and including Kansas District Court?

A. A guide to the Appeal Process in Kansas is available free of charge in your County Appraiser's Office or you may view the flowcharts online by selecting your type of hearing: Equalization Appeal or Payment Under Protest.

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last update: 03/13/07
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