FAQ

Market Value is how much property would sell for, in an open market, under normal conditions. Before assessing any parcel of property, the assessor estimates its market value. To estimate market values, the assessor must be familiar with all aspects of the local real estate market, such as: what different properties are selling for, local construction and repair costs, normal operating expenses, typical rents, and current financing charges for borrowing money to buy or build property.

A property’s value can be determined in three different ways:

1. Property is compared to others similar to it that have sold recently, using only sales where buyer and seller both acted without undue pressure. This method is called the market approach and is normally used to value residential, vacant, and farm properties.
2. The second way is to calculate what it would cost, using today’s labor and material prices, to replace the structure with a similar one. If the structure is not new, the assessor determines how much is has depreciated since it was built. The resulting value is added to an estimate of the market value of the land. This method is used to value special purpose and utility properties, and is called the cost approach.
3. The third way is to analyze how much income a property, like an apartment building, a store, or a factory will produce if rented. Operating expenses, insurance, maintenance costs, financing terms, and how much money owners expect to make on this type of property, are considered. This is the income approach.

Properties can be revalued with the following information:
* Recent appraisals
* Insurance policies
* Sales of similar properties
The PVA will evaluate the information you provide, and compare with sales information available in the office.

An exemption may be granted for homestead (for persons over 65 years of age), disability (if you can provide the PVA Office with the required documentation).

Please see the homestead/disability page for specific information.

The Property Valuation Office requires documentation verifying age. Appropriate documentation might include Medicare cards issued by Social Security, birth certificates, and driver’s license. When applying for the disability exemption, the same form will apply. However, documentation verifying total disability and that payments have been issued throughout the entire year must follow. Because of this, a taxpayer needs to provide proof of his or her disability status every year.

The PVA is responsible for reviewing all properties in the county every four years. Any area of the county may be reviewed at any time.

The Kentucky Department of Revenue requires PVAs to have documentation on any motor vehicle or boat that is taken off the tax roll. A bill of sale, receipt from a junk or salvage yard, or an accident report is acceptable proof.

City of Hardinsburg and City of Irvington bills are paid to the respective address below. City of Cloverport tax bills are included with the county bills and paid directly to the Breckinrdige County Sheriff office.

Sheriff William “Billy” Richardson
PO Box 127
Hardinsburg KY 40143
270-756-2361

City of Hardinsburg
PO Box 149
Hardinsburg KY 40143
270-756-2213

City of Irvington
PO Box 374
Irvington KY 40146
270-547-3835

The PVA offers a free basic property search that will help you find information about property ownership. If you are looking for more detailed information, you can purchase a Subscription Service for access to more detailed information such as transfer history, property photos, improvement characteristics, property class, and tax information. See our subscription service area for more information.

The PVA’s Subscription Service allows you to view the transfer history for any property, when available, perform a Sales Search or view a list for Property Sales for a specific date range. Sales Search allows you to search by sale price and date range, acreage, year built, type of sale, neighborhood, limit to qualified sales and other features.

You can find out if you’re eligible for an exemption in the Exemptions section of this website.

Each year, you can appeal your current property assessment. To learn more about how to appeal your assessment, visit Real Estate Appeals Process.

Contact Us if the PVA has information about your property that is inaccurate to ensure it is corrected. Also, you may receive an assessment notice in the mail if your property’s assessment has changed.

Although the County Sheriff’s Department is responsible for the collection of the tax bill, all name changes are made in the PVA office. If you wish to add, change or remove a name on your property record and/or tax bill, you must record an official document such as a deed or will with the appropriate office or submit a death certificate to the PVA.

The Property Valuation Administrator’s duties are to discover, list and value all properties within the county. Property not exempted from taxation is to be assessed for taxation at its fair cash value, estimated at the price it would bring at a fair voluntary sale. The PVA is charged with assessing all property equitably and accurately. Learn more by visiting Real Property Tax Information and Personal Property Tax Information pages.

Your assessment is often based on what comparable homes are selling for in your neighborhood. Also, your property is usually only revalued once every four years. The increase reflects all four years’ worth of appreciation.
House Bill 44 was enacted to limit the increase of countywide tax revenue to 4% per year. This is a very complex formula that dictates only the tax rate, not the assessment value. Although, our office strives to keep up with the fair cash value of every home in the County, sometimes the reality is that market values have increased that much in your neighborhood. We would be happy to meet with you any time to discuss the sales and reasons behind your assessment.

The person down the street from you with acreage may have a lower value because they qualify for an exemption.

If you purchased property after January 1, then it depends on several items. First off it depends if a complete sale or only a partial sale. If you purchased a house in April, then you will receive a tax bill, however it may just be in care of you for the current year. If you only purchased a couple of acres of a farm, then the taxes may still be included with the farm until the following year. Sometimes the buyer and seller will have to work out some issues with the tax bill among themselves if items were not prorated at closing. If you have any questions , please contact the PVA office to make sure and to ensure that all the taxes get paid.

The tax rate consists of a state tax rate, county tax rate, library tax rate, extension tax rate, school district rate, soil conservation rate, and health rate. Also there is a $40 fire dues added to most bills in the county–this does exclude those properties in the city limits or in the Falls of Rough fire district.The tax rate consists of a state tax rate, county tax rate, library tax rate, extension tax rate, school district rate, soil conservation rate, and health rate. Also there is a $40 fire dues added to most bills in the county–this does exclude those properties in the city limits or in the Falls of Rough fire district.

Real Estate taxes are determined AS OF JANUARY 1st. You will not be eligible for the Homestead Exemption until you are in the property, as of January 1st.

Real Estate taxes are determined AS OF JANUARY 1st. Therefore, the value at that date is what our office has determined to be the value at the beginning of the tax year. Your real estate taxes may be adjusted for the purchase price the following tax year. However, you are responsible for paying the entire amount of the tax bill.

Your neighbor may be getting a special exemption because they are elderly or disabled.

The Homestead/Disability Exemption for 2023 is $46,350 which comes off of your assessment every year for both county and city taxes.

You may get a Homestead/Disability Exemption for Commercial Property only if you own AND occupy the building (e.g. you live on the second floor of the commercial building).

All automobiles, trucks, boats, boat trailers, motorcycles, aircraft, and recreational vehicles must be assessed as of January 1 of each year. Motor vehicles are generally taxed in the county of registration. If you have assessment questions regarding motor vehicles or boats, please contact the PVA office at 270-756-5154.

The PVA may be able to lower the value of your vehicle if you have excessive mileage or damage. If you have assessment questions regarding your motor vehicle assessment, please contact the PVA office at 270-756-5154.

To remove your vehicle from the tax roll, you can supply the PVA with either:
* A copy of a bill of sale or
* A copy of the front and back of the KY title indicating you transferred the vehicle. If you moved out of state, you may provide the PVA with a copy of your new title, or a copy of your registration.

Other states do not make Kentucky aware when a vehicle is transferred out-of-state. Unfortunately, you have to contact both offices to ensure that the vehicle has been properly removed from one state and registered in another state.

Your tangible property assessed value is based on the tangible return you filed with our office in May.