Senate Tax Committee Passes Bills to Provide Property and Income Tax Extension

SENATE TAX COMMITTEE PASSES BILLS TO PROVIDE PROPERTY AND INCOME TAX EXTENSION ALONG WITH TAX TRANSPARENCY

TOPEKA, KS – The Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee met at the State Capitol today to send S Sub for HB 2118 and HB 2446 to the Senate floor. This legislation will provide relief to Kansans worried about paying their income and property taxes on time due to COVID-19. The measures would guarantee much needed deadline delays regardless of whether an Emergency Declaration is in effect in Kansas.

The package will delay property tax deadlines, with no penalties or interest, until August 10, 2020 and ensure income tax deadlines remain extended through July 15, 2020. The tax transparency portion makes it mandatory to inform taxpayers if a rate increase will occur. The final language also doesn’t allow counties to increase appraisals for normal home maintenance and repairs.

Property taxes in Kansas increased 164% from 1997 to 2018. The rate of inflation during that time period was only 49.5%, according to the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Senate President Wagle says the problem clearly precedes COVID-19 and is proud of the forward-looking legislation. “Senior citizens living on a fixed income are, in some cases, paying the same amount they paid in a mortgage payment before they owned their home. They need relief. Young people trying to build a future also need relief. Property taxes should not stop Kansans from the American dream of owning a home,” says Wagle.