Johnson County Program Expands Property Tax Relief Options
If you’re looking to save a bit of money this New Year, Johnson County has some good news. Starting this week, homeowners who qualify can apply for property tax relief aimed at covering the county’s portion of this year’s taxes.
The county is set to provide over $300,000 in property tax relief. Johnson County, Kansas, has been rolling out tax breaks for the past two years, but those were largely restricted to seniors, disabled veterans, and homeowners with properties valued below $384,600.
Last year alone, the county managed to help hundreds of individuals with more than $150,000 in tax relief. “We wanted to be able to help people directly,” remarked Mike Kelly, the Johnson County Commission Chairman. “By expanding the program, we aimed to get more people involved.”
By 2026, the previous restrictions will be lifted. The county plans to remove age requirements and increase the home value cap to $500,000. “We anticipate a surge in applicants this year compared to recent years,” Kelly noted. “Our goal is for every dollar allocated to truly benefit homeowners across Johnson County.”
Kelly has experience with similar initiatives; he started one in Overland Park before bringing it to the county level. He mentioned that the relief funds come from already designated federal money.
“This program won’t compromise our ability to deliver quality service through our paramedics, sheriff’s department, Health and Environment Department, parks, libraries, and the other essential services Johnson County offers,” he said.
This year, the county is ready to allocate $369,000 in relief, which is more than double the amount from last year. Kelly assured that the board intends to sustain this program even after federal funds are used up. “We fully expect to identify funding sources for 2027 and beyond,” he added.
However, there is still an income limit for applicants. Homeowners within the set limits can receive a portion of their county taxes back. You can find those income guidelines available on their official site.
“In relation to property tax, returning that 17% to residents can significantly impact their lives,” Kelly mentioned, emphasizing the program’s importance.
Depending on where you live in Johnson County, additional personal city property tax reduction programs are accessible in places like Overland Park, Lenexa, and Olathe.
“We get that property tax is a burden, and we’re committed to making sure everyone has a fair opportunity to live in Johnson County,” said Kelly.
Applications will open on January 15th and will continue through April. If your application is accepted, you can expect to receive checks later in the year. More details will be available once applications are open.
