Anderson County PVA
Brian Stivers
101 Ollie Bowen Drive, Lawrenceburg,KY 40342 | Office: 502-839-4061 | Fax 502-839-3648
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS
Government Owned Property
Property that is both publicly owned and used for a public purpose is exempt from property taxation under the
constitution. The property must meet both requirements before an exemption can be granted.
Examples:
•
Municipal Buildings
•
Water treatment plants
•
Courthouses
Educational Institutions
To qualify for a property tax exemption under this classification an institution must:
•
Be non-profit
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Have its funds used exclusively for education and
•
Be located within Kentucky
The Court of Appeals has defined an institution of education as a place where systematic instruction in any and all
useful branches of learning is given by methods common in schools and institutions of learning.
The education exemption extends to any income producing property that may be owned by the institution provided the
income is used to further its educational programs.
When an organization requests an exemption they need to request an application from the Property Valuation Office,
complete it and return it to the PVA office for processing. All property tax related forms are accessable online through
the link at the left titled "Propety Tax Related Forms".
Churches
In 1990 legislative session, the General Assembly developed a constitutional amendment which expanded the
exemption that could be granted to church owned property. The specific language of the amendment, as approved by
the voters of Kentucky in November 1990, is as follows:
•
Real property owned and occupied by, and personal property both tangible and intangible owned by institutions
of religion.
Examples:
•
House of regularly scheduled Worship Services
•
Land & improvements used for Church camps
•
Buildings used for meetings and social events aimed primarily at church members
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Outdoor recreational areas held for use by church members
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Parking lots or garages essential for the congregations use to attend worship services, even if the lot or garage
is rented out during the week
The amendment now allows an exemption to be granted for all personal property owned by a church. This includes all
motor vehicles, equipment and investments that are held in the church's name.
The key issue to determine if a church is occupying a parcel of land is the use of the property.
When an organization requests an exemption they need to request an application from the Property Valuation Office,
complete it and return it to the PVA office for processing. All property tax related forms are accessable online through
the link at the left titled "Propety Tax Related Forms".
Other Exempt Properties
•
Purely Public Charities: In order to be recognized as a purely public charity an institution must:
o
Be non-profit and
o
Be a public charity instead of a private charity
The courts have defined a public charity as whatever is done or given for the relief of public burdens or for the
advancement of the public good. Where the public is the beneficiary, the charity is public.
Examples:
o
American Red Cross or subsidized low income housing project
o
Non-profit hospitals
o
Boy and Girl Scout Organizations
o
Non-profit rehabilitation services for drug and alcohol abusers or mentally retarded
•
Leasehold Interest: The 1990 General Assembly amended KRS 132.195 says that when exempt real or personal
property is leased to a business conducted for profit and a leasehold interest exists, that interest should be
assessed to the lessee.
•
Non-profit Cemeteries: Section 170 of the Constitution specifies that only places of burial not held for private or
corporate profit are to be exempted. Any income producing property must be placed on the tax roll even if the
income generated is used to maintain the cemetery.
When an organization requests an exemption they need to request an application from the Property Valuation Office,
complete it and return it to the PVA office for processing. All property tax related forms are accessable online through
the link at the left titled "Property Tax Related Forms".