Locally verified PVA and County Treasurer office info — hours, payment options, deadlines, and exemptions for Boone, Kenton, Campbell, and Hamilton counties.
Select your county for verified office locations, hours, phone numbers, payment options, and local deadlines.
🕐 Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Walk-in accepted. No appointment required for general inquiries. Appeals require scheduled hearing.
🕐 Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tax payments accepted Oct 1 – Dec 31. After Jan 1, delinquent taxes transfer to County Clerk.
🕐 Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Located inside the Kenton County Courthouse. Parking available on Court St. Assessment appeals window: Jan 1 – Mar 1 each year.
🕐 Mon–Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Also accepts payments at: 5272 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051 (same hours).
🕐 Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Detailed page coming soon
🕐 Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Handles assessments, exemptions, and Board of Revision appeals. Homestead exemption applications also here.
🕐 Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Drop box available outside Room 402. Drive-through payment available at 250 William Howard Taft Rd (seasonal hours — call ahead).
🕐 Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Detailed page coming soon
🕐 Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Detailed page coming soon
The two states have completely different systems. Here's what you need to know before you pay.
Estimate your annual property tax for NKY/Cincinnati area counties. This is an estimate — your actual bill depends on your specific taxing district, levies, and exemptions.
Kentucky counties: Assessed at 100% of market value. County, state, school, and special district rates are added together. Typical combined rate in NKY is $0.90–$1.20 per $100.
Ohio counties: Assessed at 35% of appraised value. Millage rates are applied to that 35% figure. Hamilton County effective rate is approximately 1.5–1.8% of market value.
The 2% early-pay discount (KY) and the owner-occupancy rollback (OH) are shown when applicable.
You may qualify to reduce your property tax bill. These programs are often under-used because homeowners don't know they exist.
Reduces the assessed value of your primary residence by $46,350 if you are age 65 or older, or totally disabled. Apply once with your county PVA — it renews automatically unless your status changes.
Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence by $26,200 for seniors 65+ or permanently disabled homeowners. An enhanced exemption exists for qualifying low-income seniors.
Ohio automatically reduces the tax on your primary residence by 2.5%. This is applied automatically — you don't need to apply separately. Rental properties and second homes don't qualify.
If you believe your property is assessed at more than its fair market value, you can appeal. Both states have a formal process with specific windows.
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating may qualify for a full exemption on their primary residence. Apply with your County PVA with your VA disability rating letter.
Ohio offers a $50,000 reduction in appraised value (not taxable value) for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating or unemployability status.
Each county offers multiple ways to pay. Here's what's available and what it costs.
| Payment Method | Boone KY | Kenton KY | Campbell KY | Hamilton OH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay online (card) | ✓ 2.5% fee | ✓ Fee applies | ✓ Fee applies | ✓ 2.35% fee |
| Pay online (eCheck/ACH) | ✓ Free | ✓ Free | Call to confirm | ✓ Free |
| Pay in person | ✓ Burlington | ✓ Covington & Independence | ✓ Newport | ✓ Cincinnati + drop box |
| Pay by mail (check) | ✓ Postmark counts | ✓ Postmark counts | ✓ Postmark counts | ✓ Postmark counts |
| Drop box | ✓ Outside Sheriff | ✓ Outside Courthouse | Confirm locally | ✓ Room 402 exterior |
| Installment plan | Not available | Not available | Not available | ✓ Delinquent only |
⚠ KY property tax is one lump payment per year, not installments. Ohio is two payments. If your mortgage servicer escrowed your taxes, they will pay directly — but always verify on your escrow statement.
If your lender has an escrow account set up for property taxes, they will receive the tax bill and pay it directly. You should still verify this each year by checking your annual escrow statement or logging into your loan servicer's portal. If you pay off your mortgage mid-year, notify your county's tax office immediately to redirect future bills to you.
In Kentucky, the County Sheriff has historically been the primary tax collector for real property taxes — it's embedded in state statute going back to the 1800s. The PVA assesses the value; the Sheriff sends the bill and collects the payment. This is different from most other states (and from Ohio, where a Treasurer handles it). If you have a billing dispute, contact the PVA. If you have a payment question, contact the Sheriff's tax division.
In both Kentucky and Ohio, property taxes are assessed as of January 1 of each year. The person who owned the property on January 1 is technically liable for that year's full tax bill. In practice, at closing, taxes are typically prorated between buyer and seller — check your settlement statement (HUD-1 or Closing Disclosure) to see how this was handled on your transaction. If you closed without a proration, consult a real estate attorney.
A 10% penalty is added to your bill on January 1. After that, the unpaid taxes are transferred from the Sheriff's Office to the County Clerk, who will eventually file a Certificate of Delinquency. That certificate can be purchased by third-party investors, who then have the right to collect the debt plus interest (up to 18% per year). If left unresolved long enough, the property can eventually be sold at a tax sale. Don't wait — contact your county's tax division as soon as you know you'll miss the deadline.
You can file a complaint with the County Board of Revision (BOR) between January 1 and March 31 of the year following the tax year in question. Use form DTE 1. You'll need to show evidence that your property's assessed value exceeds its market value — a recent appraisal, recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, or documentation of property condition issues (structural problems, environmental issues) all help. The process is free; attorneys aren't required but some homeowners find a tax attorney or tax consultant useful for complex disputes.
No — Hamilton County charges a 2.35% convenience fee for credit card payments. To pay with no fee, use eCheck (ACH bank transfer) through the Hamilton County Treasurer's website. You'll need your routing and account number. There is no fee for eCheck payments. Checks by mail (postmarked by the due date) are also free.
The Kenton County PVA is at 303 Court St, Room 210, Covington, KY 41011 — inside the Kenton County Courthouse. Street parking is available on Court Street and adjacent blocks. The nearest parking garage is the Fifth Third Center Garage on Pike St. The office is open Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Walk-ins accepted for general inquiries; appeal hearings require a scheduled appointment.
No. The homestead exemption in both Kentucky and Ohio is only available for your primary residence — the home you actually live in. Rental properties, vacation homes, and investment properties are not eligible. You must occupy the property as your main dwelling as of January 1 of the tax year.
