Behind on property taxes in Sedgwick or Butler County

Kansas property taxes are billed once a year and paid in two halves. The first half is due December 20 and the second half is due May 10. When a payment is missed, interest starts adding up. If taxes stay unpaid for a few years, the county can foreclose and sell the house at a tax sale.

Check these first

• Call the county treasurer. Ask exactly what’s owed and the date of the next deadline. Sedgwick County and Butler County each run their own treasurer’s office.
• Look into state refunds. Kansas has property tax refund programs for some homeowners, including the Homestead refund and the SAFESR refund for seniors. The Kansas Department of Revenue has the rules.
• Check your mortgage. If you have a mortgage with an escrow account, the lender may pay the taxes and add them to your payment.

If you decide to sell

Back taxes, interest, and penalties are paid out of the sale at closing, along with any mortgage. You don’t need to catch up before you sell. Tell us roughly what’s owed and we’ll factor it into the offer, and the title company confirms the exact amount before closing.

If the taxes and mortgage together are more than the house is worth, we’ll tell you, and we’ll talk through what else might work.

This page is general information, not tax or legal advice.

Where we buy

We buy houses in Wichita, Andover, Augusta, Derby, Goddard, Haysville, Park City, and other towns in Sedgwick and Butler counties. See all areas.

Other situations

• Inherited a house

  Selling a house that's in probate, in a trust, or still in a parent's name.

• Behind on payments

  Selling before a sheriff's sale, and what to try first.

• Rental with tenants

  Selling a rental without evicting anyone or waiting for the lease to end.

• Needs major repairs

  Foundation, roof, sewer line, fire or water damage, or decades of deferred work.

• Divorce or separation

  Selling a shared house on a timeline both owners can agree on.