Taxation of watercraft

79-5501. Taxation of watercraft. (a) Commencing on July 1, 2013, and through December 31, 2025, watercraft shall be appraised at fair market value determined therefor pursuant to K.S.A. 79-503a, and amendments thereto, and assessed at the percentage of value as follows: (1) 11.5% in tax year 2014; and (2) 5% in tax years 2015 through 2025. On and after January 1, 2014, the levy used to calculate the tax on watercraft shall be the county average tax rate. In no case shall the assessed value of any watercraft, as determined under the provisions of this section, cause the tax upon such watercraft to be less than $12. (b) As used in this section, the term "watercraft" means any watercraft designed to be propelled by machinery, oars, paddles or wind action upon a sail for navigation on the water which, if not for the provisions of this section, would be properly classified under subclass 5 or 6 of class 2 of section 1 of article 11 of the Kansas constitution. This section shall not be construed as taxing any watercraft which otherwise would be exempt from property taxation under the laws of the state of Kansas. Each watercraft may include one trailer which is designed to launch, retrieve, transport and store such watercraft and any nonelectric motor or motors which are necessary to operate such watercraft on the water. (c) Any watercraft which is designed to be propelled through the water through human power alone shall be exempt from all property or ad valorem taxes levied under the laws of the state of Kansas. (d) The "county average tax rate" means the total amount of general property taxes levied within the county by the state, county and all other taxing subdivisions divided by the total assessed valuation of all taxable property within the county as of November 1 of the year prior to the year of valuation as certified by the secretary of revenue. (e) On and after January 1, 2026, all watercraft shall be exempt from all property or ad valorem taxes levied under the laws of the state of Kansas. History: L. 2013, ch. 87, § 10; L. 2014, ch. 23, § 1; L. 2025, ch. 123, § 12; July 1. Previous | Next LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COUNCIL General Policies 2026 Archived LCC Documents Archived LCC Meetings REVISOR OF STATUTES Archived Session Documents Archived School Finance Documents USEFUL LINKS Session Laws Kansas Administrative Regulations OTHER LEGISLATIVE SITES Kansas Legislature Administrative Services Division of Post Audit Research Department Contact Us PDF Help www.ksrevisor.gov 2026