Owensboro Property Tax rates for 2026 reflect the Daviess County real estate tax rates set by the Fiscal Court, with a current real‑property rate of 12.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. Homeowners can view their Owensboro property tax assessment notice on the Daviess County Property Valuation Administrator online portal at daviesspva.org and use the Owensboro property tax calculator to estimate payment amounts. The first installment of the 2026 Owensboro property tax deadline falls in May, and payments are accepted through the Owensboro property tax online portal, phone, or in person at the tax collector’s office (270‑685‑8474). If you miss the deadline, Owensboro overdue tax penalties increase each month until the bill is settled. For those seeking relief, the Owensboro homestead exemption and senior exemptions can lower the taxable base.
Owensboro Property Tax appeals must be filed within 30 days of the assessment decision, and the “how to appeal property taxes in Owensboro” steps are outlined on the PVA website and at the Daviess County Clerk’s Office (270‑685‑8434). The Owensboro tax lien process begins when taxes remain unpaid after the deadline, leading to possible inclusion in the county’s tax sale listings. Property owners can request a refund or tax delinquency removal by contacting the Daviess County tax collector or submitting a written request through the online portal. Commercial owners should review Owensboro commercial property tax rates, which differ from residential rates. Mortgage and tax escrow statements often include the Owensboro property tax bill payment amount, helping borrowers stay current.
Search Owensboro City Property Tax
The Daviess County Property Valuation Administrator keeps the official public records for Owensboro City Property Tax assessments and ownership data. Property owners can start their search through the online portal at https://daviesskypva.org/data-online/ to look up parcels, view assessed values, and download tax records.
Follow these steps to complete a search:
- Open https://daviesskypva.org/data-online/ in a web browser.
- Enter the property owner’s name, parcel number, or street address in the search field.
- Select the matching record from the result list.
- Review the property details, including land value, improvement value, and total assessed value.
- Click on the tax bill link to view current and prior tax amounts.
- Print or save the record for your files.
The portal works around the clock, letting residents search records at any time without creating an account. For in-person requests, the PVA office accepts walk-in customers at the address listed in the contact section at the bottom of this page. Staff can help with parcel lookups, print copies of records, and answer questions about how the assessment was set.
Owensboro Real Estate Tax Rates
Owensboro sits within Daviess County, so the tax bill pulls from three main rates that stack together. The Commonwealth of Kentucky charges 11.5 cents per $100 of assessed value on real property. Daviess County recently lowered the county real property rate from 12.9 cents to 12.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. The City of Owensboro set the municipal real-property tax rate at 25.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for the current fiscal year, down from 26.1 cents the year before.
These three rates stack to form the base tax bill for a home or land parcel. Other special districts, such as fire districts, library districts, or extension districts, can add small extra amounts on top of these base rates. Most homeowners see a total effective rate of less than one dollar per $100 of value once all parts combine into the final bill.
| Taxing Authority | Rate Type | Rate per $100 of Assessed Value |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth of Kentucky | State Real Property | 11.5 cents |
| Daviess County Fiscal Court | County Real Property | 12.2 cents |
| City of Owensboro | Municipal Real Property | 25.6 cents |
Property owners can confirm the exact combined rate on their tax bill. The PVA portal shows the breakdown for each parcel and updates the rate each fiscal year. Tax rates can change based on the budget adopted by the Fiscal Court and the City Commission each year.
Daviess County Property Assessment Process
The Daviess County PVA reviews every property each year to set the fair cash value. Kentucky uses a fair-cash-value standard under the state constitution. Assessors look at recent sales of similar homes, the size and age of the structure, the lot size, and any new features like a deck, garage, or finished basement.
Property owners receive a Form 11 notice in the mail each spring. This form shows the assessed value of the land and any buildings on the lot. The value reflects what the property might sell for on the open market. The Daviess County PVA mails Form 11 notices to all property owners before the appeal window opens for that tax year.
Data Sources Used by Assessors
The PVA office uses aerial photos, building permits, and sales data to set values. New construction gets added to the rolls once a building permit receives a final inspection. Demolished structures get removed in the year the demo permit closes. Sales of comparable properties within the past 12 to 18 months carry the most weight in the valuation model.
- Recent sales of similar homes in the same neighborhood
- Building permits for new construction or major renovations
- Aerial photos that show changes to the lot or structure
- On-site inspections for properties with new features
Inspection Period
Property owners can ask to inspect the data the PVA used to set the value. The inspection takes place at the PVA office and shows the sales used, the land rate, and any building sketches. Owners can point out errors during the inspection and ask for corrections before the appeal window opens.
Owensboro Property Tax Bill Payment
Homeowners can pay the bill in three main ways. The Daviess County Treasurer accepts payments online through the county’s payment portal, by phone using a credit or debit card, or in person at the courthouse. Mail payments sent with a check or money order also work for those who prefer paper records.
Online payments post the same day in most cases. Phone payments carry a small convenience fee set by the payment processor. In-person payments at the Treasurer’s office receive a stamped receipt right away. The Treasurer’s office processes all real estate tax payments for parcels within Daviess County.
Most mortgage lenders set up an escrow account that pulls tax money from the borrower each month. The lender then pays the tax bill from escrow when the bill comes due. Property owners without a lender escrow must pay the bill on their own to avoid penalties and interest charges.
- Online payment through the county payment portal
- Phone payment using a credit or debit card
- In-person payment at the Treasurer’s office
- Mail payment with check or money order
Owensboro Property Tax Deadlines
Property tax bills in Kentucky use a two-installment system. The first installment of the 2026 payable 2026 tax year fell due on May 11, 2026. Tax statements for that year were mailed out on April 1, 2026. The second installment of each tax year has a separate deadline in the fall that owners must track on their own.
Anyone who did not receive a tax statement by mid-April should contact the Treasurer’s office right away. Missing the first deadline triggers a penalty on the unpaid amount. Missing the second deadline adds interest and fees on top of the first penalty, and the parcel moves closer to the delinquent list for the next tax sale.
The exact dates shift each year based on the calendar. Property owners can check the Daviess County Fiscal Court website for the current installment schedule. Bills can also be viewed online through the PVA portal even before the paper copy arrives in the mail.
| Installment | Typical Time Frame | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First Installment | Early May | First deadline after the spring mailing |
| Second Installment | Late Fall | Second deadline before the tax sale list forms |
| Delinquent Tax Sale | August | Delinquent properties move to the public sale list |
The Daviess County Delinquent Property Tax Sale for 2026 took place on August 20, 2026. Properties that do not pay the second installment on time can land on this list. Owners should set a reminder for the second deadline to keep the parcel off the sale list.
Owensboro Tax Lien Process and Delinquent Sales
Real estate taxes that remain unpaid after the second installment move to a delinquent status. The Daviess County Clerk’s Office tracks the unpaid bills and prepares the list for the annual tax sale. The county held the 2026 delinquent property tax sale on August 20, 2026, at the courthouse.
At the tax sale, investors buy a lien on the delinquent property. The original owner keeps the right to redeem the property by paying the taxes, penalties, and interest within a set time. The redemption period gives the owner a clear chance to clear the debt and keep the home or land.
Steps in the Tax Sale Process
The Clerk’s Office posts three separate lists before the sale. The first list shows parcels with remaining unpaid bills. The second list shows protected bills, which are parcels under a payment plan or pending court action. The third list shows bills already purchased at a prior sale that remain open.
- The Clerk’s Office prepares the delinquent list each summer
- Investors register and bid on liens at the public sale
- Winning bidders receive a certificate of delinquency
- Original owners can redeem the property during the redemption period
- Unredeemed properties may face a tax deed action later
Properties that do not sell at the first tax sale may be re-offered at a later sale. The Clerk’s Office keeps the records for each parcel and the status of the lien for the public to review.
How to Appeal Property Taxes in Owensboro
Property owners who think the assessed value is too high can file an appeal. Kentucky gives property owners a set window to appeal each year. The filing deadline for 2026 fell on May 4, 2026, which was the first Monday in May. The appeal window opens when the Form 11 notice arrives in the spring.
Appeals go to the Daviess County Board of Assessment Appeals first. Owners who lose at the local board can take the case to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals. The state board hears cases in Frankfort. Each step has its own deadline and form requirements.
Evidence to Gather for an Appeal
To strengthen an appeal, owners should gather evidence before the hearing. Recent sale prices of similar homes in the same neighborhood make strong evidence. Photos of problems with the property, like a bad roof or foundation cracks, also help. A licensed appraisal can serve as solid evidence at the local board hearing.
- Recent sale prices of comparable homes in the same area
- Photos of any physical problems with the property
- A licensed appraisal report for the parcel
- Notes on errors in the PVA records
Owners can find appeal forms on the PVA website and the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals site. Most local hearings take 15 to 30 minutes. Owners can represent themselves or hire a tax agent to speak for them. The filing fee for a local appeal is set by county policy and is often a small amount.
Owensboro Homestead Exemption
Kentucky offers a homestead exemption that lowers the taxable value of a primary residence. The exemption amount for the 2026-2026 biennium stands at $46,350. This means the first $46,350 of a home’s assessed value is exempt from certain tax rates for qualifying owners.
Owners who are 65 or older, or who are totally disabled, can claim the full exemption under KRS 132.810. Other owners can claim a smaller version of the exemption on the same parcel. The exemption applies only to the owner’s primary residence, not to rental homes or vacation property.
How to Apply for the Homestead Exemption
To apply, owners fill out a homestead exemption application with the PVA office. The form asks for proof of age or disability, a copy of the deed, and a Kentucky driver’s license with the home address. The PVA office processes the form and applies the exemption to the next tax bill.
- Fill out the homestead exemption form from the PVA office
- Provide a copy of the deed to the home
- Provide proof of age or disability status
- Provide a Kentucky driver’s license with the home address
Once the exemption is on file, the owner does not need to reapply each year. The exemption stays in place as long as the owner lives at the address. A change of ownership or move to a new home requires a new application with the PVA office.
Owensboro Overdue Tax Penalties
Late tax payments trigger a set of penalties and interest charges under Kentucky law. The state sets the penalty for late payment of the first installment and the second installment. The exact rate comes from the state revenue code and applies to all counties the same way across the Commonwealth.
Interest accrues on the unpaid amount each month. The interest rate can change each year based on a state formula tied to market rates. Penalties and interest keep adding to the bill until the owner pays the full balance. A tax lien can attach to the property even before the bill reaches the official sale list at the courthouse.
Options for Owners Who Cannot Pay
Owners who cannot pay the full bill can contact the Treasurer’s office to ask about a payment plan. Some owners may qualify for a hardship deferral that pauses collection efforts for a set time. The exact plan options depend on county policy and the total amount owed on the parcel.
- Set up a monthly payment plan with the Treasurer’s office
- Ask about a hardship deferral based on income or medical bills
- Apply for state tax relief programs for low-income seniors
- Borrow against the home equity to clear the tax debt
Owners who ignore the bill face the loss of the property at the tax sale. Selling or refinancing the home can clear the debt before the sale date. The Treasurer’s office can give a payoff amount that includes all penalties and interest through a set date.
Owensboro Commercial Property Tax Rates
Commercial properties in Owensboro pay a different rate than residential homes. Kentucky sets a state rate for commercial real estate that is higher than the residential rate. Local rates for commercial parcels also differ from residential rates in many cases, depending on how the city sets each class.
Business owners should check the PVA records to confirm the property class on their parcel. The class code on the PVA record shows whether the parcel is residential, commercial, agricultural, or some other class. The tax rate on the bill matches the class code on the PVA record for that parcel.
Steps for Commercial Owners
Commercial owners can still appeal an assessment that looks too high. The same appeal process and deadline apply. Some commercial owners hire a property tax consultant to handle the appeal and to look for ways to lower the bill each year. Consultants work on a contingency fee in many cases.
- Review the PVA record to confirm the property class
- Compare the assessment to recent sales of similar commercial parcels
- File an appeal by the first Monday in May if the value looks high
- Track the appeal deadline each year to protect the right to appeal
Owensboro Mortgage and Tax Escrow
Most home loans require the borrower to set up a tax escrow account. The lender collects a small amount each month with the mortgage payment. The lender then uses that money to pay the tax bill when the bill comes due each year, which keeps the borrower from missing the deadline.
Borrowers see the tax line on their monthly mortgage statement. The lender sends an annual statement that shows how much the borrower paid into escrow and how much the lender paid out for taxes. The lender may adjust the monthly escrow amount each year based on the new tax bill and the expected bill for the next year.
What Happens at Loan Payoff
Owners who pay off the loan get a refund of the extra escrow money. The lender closes the escrow account and sends a check for any balance within a set time. After that, the owner must pay the tax bill on their own through one of the payment methods listed in the payment section above.
- Borrower pays into the escrow account each month with the mortgage payment
- Lender pays the tax bill from escrow when the bill comes due
- Lender sends an annual escrow statement to the borrower
- Lender refunds any extra escrow balance when the loan pays off
Owensboro Property Tax Refund Process
Owners who pay too much can ask for a refund from the Treasurer’s office. Common reasons for overpayment include a duplicate payment, an incorrect bill, or an exemption that applied after the bill was paid. The refund request goes to the Daviess County Treasurer’s office for processing and review.
The owner fills out a refund request form and provides proof of the overpayment. A copy of the canceled check, a bank statement, or a payment confirmation works as proof. The Treasurer’s office reviews the request and issues a check or applies the credit to the next year’s tax bill on the parcel.
Refund Filing Window
Refund requests must be filed within a set window set by state law. The exact window comes from the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Owners who wait too long may lose the right to claim a refund on the overpayment, so a fast request protects the right to get the money back.
- Fill out the refund request form from the Treasurer’s office
- Provide proof of the overpayment with the request
- File the request within the state-required window
- Choose to receive a refund check or apply the credit to the next bill
Owensboro Property Tax History Trends
Daviess County has seen tax rate changes over the past several years. The county real property rate dropped from 12.9 cents to 12.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. The City of Owensboro set the municipal rate at 25.6 cents, down from 26.1 cents the year before. The state rate has stayed at 11.5 cents for recent years.
Property values in the county have moved up over time. New construction, renovations, and sales of comparable homes drive value changes. The PVA tracks these sales and uses the data to set the next year’s assessments. Higher values do not always mean a higher tax bill if the rate drops at the same time the value rises.
Compensating Rate and Fiscal Court Action
The Fiscal Court approved the largest tax cut in at least two decades when it adopted the compensating rate for real property. The compensating rate keeps tax revenue flat when property values rise. This tool helps prevent a large jump in the total tax bill during a strong real estate market, which protects homeowners from sudden tax increases.
- County real property rate dropped from 12.9 to 12.2 cents per $100
- City of Owensboro rate dropped from 26.1 to 25.6 cents per $100
- State rate holds at 11.5 cents per $100 of assessed value
- Compensating rate helps offset rising property values in strong markets
Owensboro Online Portal and Parcel Map
The Daviess County PVA runs the public search portal at https://daviesskypva.org/data-online/ for parcel data and assessment records. The portal shows the parcel map, ownership history, building details, and sales history for each property. Most records go back several years and update each tax season as new sales post.
The Daviess County Clerk’s Office runs a separate records portal for deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents. Property owners can search by name, document type, or recording date. The portal shows scanned images of the original documents on file with the Clerk’s Office.
Features of Each Portal
Both portals work without a login. Users can search records, view images, and print copies at no cost. The Clerk’s office charges a small fee for certified copies of recorded documents. The PVA office does not charge a fee for basic assessment records or for viewing the parcel map online.
- PVA portal: parcel map, ownership, building details, sales history
- Clerk portal: deeds, mortgages, liens, recorded documents
- Both portals: free to search, no account needed
- Certified copies: small fee from the Clerk’s office for official records
Owensboro Property Tax Relief Programs
Kentucky offers several relief programs for owners who qualify. The homestead exemption is the most common program. Senior owners, disabled owners, and disabled veterans can claim extra exemptions that lower the taxable value of the home and the final tax bill each year.
Disabled veterans may qualify for a full exemption on the primary residence. The amount of the exemption depends on the disability rating from the VA. The PVA office processes the application and confirms the disability status with the VA before applying the exemption to the parcel.
State Property Tax Relief Program
Low-income seniors may also qualify for a state program that helps pay the tax bill. The program sends a check to qualifying applicants each year. The application goes through the Kentucky Department of Revenue, not the county office. Applicants must meet income limits and age rules to qualify for the state program.
- Homestead Exemption for owners 65+ or totally disabled
- Disabled Veteran Exemption based on VA disability rating
- State Property Tax Relief Program for low-income seniors
- Hardship deferral for owners facing financial trouble
Contact, Local Details, and Map
The Daviess County Property Valuation Administrator handles all property assessments, valuation records, and parcel data for Owensboro residents. The PVA office sits in the Daviess County Courthouse complex in downtown Owensboro. Property owners can visit the office, call the main phone line, or use the public portal for most needs related to assessment, appeals, exemptions, and parcel lookups.
| Department | Phone | Official Website | Public Search Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daviess County Property Valuation Administrator | (270) 685-8474 | https://daviesskypva.org | https://daviesskypva.org/data-online/ |
| Daviess County Clerk’s Office | https://daviessky.org |
Tax Assessor
Department Name: Daviess County Property Valuation Administrator
Official Website URL: https://daviesskypva.org
Direct Public Search Portal Link: https://daviesskypva.org/data-online/
Main Phone: (270) 685-8474
Physical Address: 212 Saint Ann Street, Room 102, Owensboro, KY 42303
Mailing Address: 212 Saint Ann Street, Room 102, Owensboro, KY 42303
Deed Recorder
Department Name: Daviess County Clerk’s Office
Official Website URL: https://daviessky.org
Direct Public Search Portal Link:
Main Phone:
Physical Address: 212 St. Ann Street, Owensboro, Kentucky 42303
Mailing Address:
Frequently Asked Questions
Owensboro property tax matters affect every homeowner and business in Daviess County. Knowing where to pay, how to appeal, and what exemptions exist can save money and prevent penalties. Below are concise answers to the most common queries.
What is the current Owensboro real estate tax rate and where can I find the exact amount?
The Daviess County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) lists the latest rate on its website. For Owensboro, the rate is expressed in cents per $100 of assessed value. Visit daviesspva.org and select “Tax Rates” to view the current figure. Knowing the rate helps you estimate your bill before the statement arrives.
How do I pay my Owensboro property tax bill online?
Log in to the online portal at daviesspva.org/data-online. After entering your parcel number, choose “Pay Online” and follow the prompts. Payments are accepted by credit card or e‑check. The portal also shows due dates and allows you to set up payment reminders.
When is the 2026 Owensboro property tax deadline?
For the 2026‑2026 biennium, the first installment is due May 11, 2026, and the second installment is due October 10, 2026. Check the printed statement or the online portal for any changes. Late payments incur penalties and interest, so mark the dates on your calendar.
How can I appeal a property assessment in Owensboro?
Start by reviewing your assessment notice. If you disagree, file an appeal with the Daviess County Board of Assessment Appeals within 30 days of the notice date. Use the online portal to download the appeal form, attach evidence such as recent sales data, and submit it by the deadline. Successful appeals can lower your taxable value.
What senior or homestead exemptions are available for Owensboro property owners?
Owners age 65 or older, or those who are totally disabled, may claim a homestead exemption of $46,350 for the 2026‑2026 biennium. To apply, complete the exemption form available on the PVA website and return it to the office at 212 Saint Ann Street, Suite 102, or call (270) 685‑8474 for assistance. The exemption reduces the assessed value used to calculate your tax bill.