Motor Vehicles

The assessment date for vehicles is January 1st. The taxable situs of a motor vehicle is presumed to be the county of registration as of the assessment date (KRS 132.227). The PVA office uses the following guides to determine a value for a vehicle using the trade-in value:

• Late model used cars one to seven years old: NADA Value Guides, Official Used Car Guide.
• Automobiles and light trucks 8–18 years old: NADA Appraisal Guides, Official Older Car Guide.
• Heavy and medium duty trucks: National Market Reports, The Truck Blue Book.
• Motorcycles: NADA Appraisal Guides, Motorcycles/Snowmobile/ATV/Personal Watercraft Guide.
• Recreation vehicles and camping trailers: NADA Recreational Vehicle Appraisal Guide.
• Commercial trailers: Department of Property Taxation, Appraisal Guide Heavy Duty Trailers.
• Boats, boat trailers, and motors: NADA Marine Appraisal Guide, ABIS Marine Blue Book.

The assessment of all motorboats as defined in KRS 235.010 shall be administered in the same manner and according to the same procedures provided for motor vehicles in KRS 132.487. The PVA may adjust values based upon the condition of the vehicle on the assessment date if the vehicle is not in average condition: high mileage on January 1; wrecked and unrepaired prior to January 1; salvage title on January 1. All protests of vehicle values shall be filed within 45 days of the date of the notice; the assessment is final after that period.

Documentation required for reduction

• Mechanical damage — an estimate for cost of repairs dated prior to January 1.
• High mileage — evidence of mileage on January 1.
• Branded title on January 1 — assessed at 85% of January NADA trade-in.
• Incorrect VIN — no documentation required.

Exonerations

• Vehicle sold out-of-state prior to January 1 — bill of sale.
• Kentucky residents in the military pay Kentucky property tax; non-resident military provide a wage and earning statement or Affidavit of Residency (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act); a civilian spouse is not exempt.
• Owner moved to another state prior to the assessment date — new-state income tax return, out-of-state registration/tax payment, or out-of-state title issued before the assessment date.
• Divorce decrees signed by a judge before the assessment date are honored.
• Bankruptcy: list all creditors on the petition.
• Public Service Companies pay locally on vehicles and report per KRS 136.132.

The Motor Vehicle Tax Exoneration form is on the Forms page.