Assessment Process

Informational Brochures

For those who want to know, two informational brochures are available over the counter and online, provided by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO). These publications explain the general assessment process:

• Understanding Your Assessment: Understanding Ketchikan (PDF)
• For the Property Owner Who Wants To Know: Property Owner Ketchikan (PDF)

Status

The status of all property, for valuation and taxation, is determined as of January 1 of the assessment year. Proration of taxes or partial year assessment is not allowed under current law.

Real property assessment notices are typically mailed by mid to late January and personal property notices are typically mailed in February. This notice will advise you of your current year valuation.

Predictions & Millage Rates

Assessed values are predicated on "full and true value" per state statute and Ketchikan Gateway Borough (KGB) Code. A millage (mill) rate is applied to those values to establish the tax amount for all taxable real and personal property located within the borough.

The borough mill rate is determined annually by the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly as part of the fiscal budget process. In addition, a mill rate is also determined for each service area and city that levies taxes within the borough. The mill rate is in effect during the boroughs fiscal year which begins July 1st and ends June 30th.

The present local mill rate in all tax code areas is available for viewing online.

Alaska Taxable

Detailed municipal taxation data is produced annually by the state assessor in a publication called "Alaska Taxable" for every state jurisdiction Alaska Interactive Taxable 2018

Informational Facts

• The capital system of taxation, commonly called property tax, is the way by which local property owners cooperatively contribute to the cost of public services.
• Providing public schools, roads, fire protection, police protection, public parks, etc., enhances the overall desirability of an area for homes, business, and recreation.
• Public services cost money. For example, we all pay for public schools, roads, fire protection, police protection, parks, and other public services.
• All residents of a community share services.
• Property taxes are one method of collecting revenues to pay for services we all enjoy.
• Property tax is measured by property value and not by the financial circumstances of the owner.
• Simply stated, property tax is a liability of the property as compared to an income tax, which is a liability of a person.