How to Pay Kansas State Income Tax and Property Taxes
Where Kansas tax payments go and how to send them
Kansas state income tax goes to the Kansas Department of Revenue, and you send it either with your tax return or through their online payment system. Property taxes go to your county assessor's office or the tax collector who handles your specific county — not to the state. The two systems are separate, use different deadlines, and require different payment methods, so it matters which one you're paying.
For state income tax, the Kansas Department of Revenue accepts payments online through their website, by mail with your return, or by phone through an automated system. For property taxes, most Kansas counties now accept online payments through their own websites or through a third-party processor, though some still require checks or in-person payments at the county office. Knowing which tax you owe and where it goes saves you from sending money to the wrong place.
Key Takeaways
- Kansas state income tax is due April 15 unless you file an extension, and you can pay online, by phone, or by mail through the Kansas Department of Revenue.
- Property taxes are due to your county assessor or tax collector, not the state, and deadlines vary by county — usually between December and May depending on where you live.
- Online payment through the Kansas Department of Revenue website or your county's website is the fastest way to confirm your payment was received.
- If you owe both state income tax and property tax, you need separate transactions for each because they go to different offices.
- Payments made by mail can take two to three weeks to process, so mail early if you're close to a deadline.
Kansas state income tax payment methods and deadlines
State income tax is due on April 15 each year, the same as federal tax. If you file an extension with the IRS, you automatically get an extension on your Kansas return as well, moving the deadline to October 15. You do not need to file a separate extension with Kansas — the federal extension covers both.
The Kansas Department of Revenue offers three ways to pay: online through their website (kstaxonline.kdor.ks.gov), by phone at 1-800-894-0318 using an automated system, or by mail with your return. Online and phone payments process immediately and give you a confirmation number the same day. Mail payments take two to three weeks to post to your account, so if you're mailing a check, send it at least three weeks before April 15 to be safe.
If you pay online or by phone, you do not need to mail your return — you can file electronically and pay electronically at the same time. The payment and the return are linked in the Kansas Department of Revenue system. If you mail a check, include it with your paper return in the same envelope.
Property tax payment to your county
Property taxes in Kansas are collected by your county assessor's office or tax collector, not by the state. The deadline and payment method depend on which county you live in. Most counties have two payment dates per year — one in December and one in May — but some counties use different schedules. Your property tax bill will show your county's specific due date.
Many Kansas counties now accept online payments through their websites or through a third-party processor like GovPayNet or PayIt. You can usually find the link on your county assessor's website or on the bill itself. If your county does not offer online payment, you can mail a check to the address on your bill or pay in person at the county office during business hours. Some counties also accept payments by phone, but this is less common.
If you are unsure of your county's payment deadline or method, call your county assessor's office directly — the number is on your property tax bill. Do not assume your property tax deadline matches your state income tax deadline, because it does not.
What happens if you miss a Kansas tax deadline
If you miss the April 15 state income tax deadline without filing an extension, the Kansas Department of Revenue will charge a failure-to-file penalty of 5% of the tax owed per month, up to 25% total. You will also owe interest on the unpaid tax, calculated daily from the original due date. The longer you wait, the more interest and penalties accumulate.
If you miss a property tax deadline, your county will charge a penalty — usually 1% to 2% of the tax owed — and may charge interest as well. If property taxes remain unpaid for several years, the county can place a lien on your home or eventually foreclose and sell the property to recover the debt. Property tax debt is serious and moves faster than income tax debt.
If you cannot pay by the deadline, contact the Kansas Department of Revenue (for state income tax) or your county assessor (for property tax) before the deadline passes. Both offices have payment plans and hardship options that can stop penalties from growing while you arrange to pay.
Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full
The Kansas Department of Revenue offers installment agreements for state income tax debt. You can request one by calling 1-800-894-0318 or by submitting Form DR 0104 (Application for Installment Agreement) to the department. The agreement lets you pay your tax debt over several months instead of all at once. Interest and penalties continue to accrue during the payment plan, but at least you avoid additional failure-to-pay penalties.
For property taxes, contact your county assessor's office to ask about a payment plan. Not all counties offer them, but many will work with you if you are behind. Some counties will defer part of your property tax if you meet income requirements, though this is less common than an installment plan.
If you are facing financial hardship, mention it when you call. Both the state and counties have some flexibility in how they structure payment plans, and they would rather set up a plan than send your debt to a collection agency.
Checking the status of a Kansas tax payment
If you paid state income tax online or by phone, you received a confirmation number immediately. Keep that number — you can use it to check your payment status on the Kansas Department of Revenue website or by calling 1-800-894-0318. The department can tell you whether the payment posted to your account and when.
If you mailed a check, wait at least three weeks before checking the status, because mail payments take time to process. Once three weeks have passed, call the Kansas Department of Revenue with your Social Security number and the amount you paid. They can tell you whether the payment has been received and applied.
For property taxes, log into your county assessor's website if they offer online access, or call the county office directly. Most counties can tell you the current balance on your account and whether a recent payment has posted.
Paying Kansas taxes if you live out of state
If you moved out of Kansas but still own property there, you still owe property tax to that county. You can mail a check to the county assessor's office, or if the county accepts online payments, you can pay through their website from anywhere. The deadline and amount do not change because you moved.
If you worked in Kansas but now live in another state, you may owe Kansas state income tax on the income you earned while you were a resident. Check with the Kansas Department of Revenue to find out whether you still have a filing requirement. Some states have reciprocal agreements that prevent you from owing tax to both states on the same income, but you have to file correctly to claim that protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Kansas state income tax and property tax together?
No. State income tax goes to the Kansas Department of Revenue, and property tax goes to your county assessor. You need two separate payments. If you try to send one check for both, one office will receive it and the other will not know you paid.
What if I file my Kansas return late but pay on time?
You will owe a failure-to-file penalty even if you paid the tax owed. The penalty is 5% per month of the tax amount, up to 25% total. Filing late and paying late triggers both penalties. File as soon as you can, even if you cannot pay yet, to reduce the failure-to-file penalty.
Do I have to pay Kansas state income tax if I only lived there part of the year?
You owe tax on income you earned while you were a Kansas resident. If you moved mid-year, you file a part-year resident return and pay tax only on the income earned before you left. Contact the Kansas Department of Revenue to confirm your filing status.
Can I pay my property tax online if my county does not have a website?
Some smaller counties do not have their own websites but may accept payments through a third-party processor. Call your county assessor's office to ask what payment methods they accept. If online is not available, you can mail a check or pay in person.
What if my payment was lost in the mail?
If you mailed a check and it never arrived, the Kansas Department of Revenue or your county will show no record of payment. Call with your check number and amount, and they can help you determine whether it was received. You may need to stop payment on the original check and send a new one, or pay by phone or online to ensure it arrives.