Official sources checked October 18, 2026.
Johnson County’s November property-tax season is approaching. For homeowners considering a valuation challenge through payment under protest, paying the tax bill and submitting the protest application are separate steps. Before the bill arrives, gather your property records and check which filing rules apply.
First, check whether this route is available
Under K.S.A. 79-2005(b), a valuation protest generally is not available if an equalization appeal was already commenced for the same property and tax year. The statute includes limited exceptions, including certain subsequent owners. It also bars protesting the second-half payment when the first-half payment was protested.
If your property already had a 2026 appeal, confirm the applicable process with the county before treating payment under protest as another opportunity to appeal.
Match the filing deadline to the payment
The county’s appeal portal describes fall payment-under-protest filing as beginning when real-property tax statements are mailed, typically starting November 1. Treasury’s instructions describe a November 1–December 20 window with payment, while the linked application says after November 1.
These sources support a November filing period, but do not conclusively establish that applications will be accepted on Sunday, November 1, 2026. K.S.A. 79-2005(a) ties filing to tax payment and sets the December and escrow deadlines; it does not specify a November 1 opening. Before attempting a first-day submission, confirm the accepted filing date and payment instructions with Treasury at taxinfo@jocogov.org. The weekend rule for filing deadlines does not establish a different opening day.
- Ordinary payment timing: State law ties the written protest to payment; when taxes are paid before December 20, it permits filing by December 20.
- Escrow payments: If an escrow or tax-service agent pays at least half the taxes on or before December 20, the statute provides a January 31 deadline the following year.
- Later payments: The county says the application must accompany payment when taxes are paid after the applicable deadline. It will reject an application without the appropriate payment, including interest and fees.
These are the recurring dates in K.S.A. 79-2005(a). The county’s official calendar extends a filing deadline that lands on a weekend or legal holiday to the next business day. December 20, 2026, and January 31, 2027, are both Sundays. Applying that published rule gives Monday, December 21, 2026, and Monday, February 1, 2027, respectively. Those dates are calculated from the county’s rule; check the current Treasury instructions when filing.
Keep the payment and application instructions separate
Treasury links to an online protest portal and provides email and mail options for the application. Its regular tax-payment mailing address is a St. Louis lockbox; its protest-application mailing address is in Olathe. Use the instructions for each item rather than assuming one mailing handles both. Online payments can take two to three business days to post, according to the county payment page.
A useful next step now
Create a review folder with your property identifier, 2026 valuation notice, any earlier appeal documents, the tax bill when available, payment or escrow confirmation, and records supporting any property facts you want reviewed. Keep copies of the application and submission confirmation if you file.
Start with the county’s current payment-under-protest instructions to resolve eligibility, timing, and submission questions. Then use FairPath’s Johnson County guide to review the local process and document-preparation options. FairPath helps organize documents; you review the information and file or present your own protest.