The Barren County PVA is a locally elected official charged with assessing all property, both real and personal, that lies within Barren County. There are some exceptions such as public service companies, bank shares, omitted tangible properties and vehicles, all values which the Kentucky Department of Revenue assigns in Frankfort. The PVA has the right to change vehicle values according to the January 1 NADA guidelines for high mileage or with estimates of repair from licensed automobile body shops. Please remember that the vehicle is assessed to the owner as of January 1 of each year and it is the condition of the vehicle and mileage that determines the value.
All property, unless specifically exempted by the Constitution, is taxable. The Constitution expressly prohibits exemption of any property or persons except those allowed by the Constitution itself. Therefore, taxation is the rule and exemption the exception.
Your Property Valuation Administrator’s office DOES NOT determine how much tax you pay. We only assess the “fair market value” of the property to be taxed. There are two components that determine your property bill. ASSESSED VALUE and TAX RATE. The TAX RATE is determined by elected officials such as County Governments, City Governments, School Boards, and taxing districts such as the library board and health board.
The PVA does not set property tax rates, nor do they collect property taxes. The Kentucky Constitution requires equality and uniformity through fair cash value assessments. Fair Cash Value is defined as the price that a piece of property will bring in a fair voluntary sale between a willing seller and a willing buyer.
