The improvement plan will stipulate the type of improvement to be made, renderings, a time table for completion and any supporting documents appropriate for the type of application. Prior to beginning the project, the owner shall apply for a building permit and attach a copy to the application.

Once the application and the building permit have been submitted, the Economic Development Office shall authorize approval of the project.

At completion of the project, the owner shall request a reappraisal by the County Appraiser which will determine the property value and shall be used to calculate the tax value increment added by the improvements.

At the customary time, the County Treasurer shall mail tax statements based on the new appraised value. The property owner shall submit proof of payment of the entire tax bill to the County Treasurer to initiate the tax rebate procedure. Only the increase in taxes will be rebated less any applicable administrative fees.

By law, the rebate must be issued within thirty days after proof of payment has been submitted by an approved applicant. Only projects which have been predetermined to be eligible shall receive a rebate.

This program is scheduled to begin receiving applications on and after its adoption by the governing body of the City of Wichita and the execution of Interlocal Agreements with Sedgwick County and the Board of Education of Unified School District #259. Thereafter, the City will process applications as they are submitted with no monthly or quarterly deadlines. Applications will be available in the Economic Development Office, Finance Department, 12th Floor, City Hall, 455 North Main and posted with local lenders and real estate agents.

Questions about the program should be directed to the Economic Development Office, Finance Department, at 268-4524.

The County Treasurer will perform the calculation of the final rebate amount based on the actual appraised value.

1. The applicant shall obtain an Application for Tax Rebate from the Economic Development Office, Finance Department, 12th Floor, City Hall, 455 North Main, Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Or you can download the Application for Tax Rebate - NRA Program here.

2. The applicant shall complete and sign Part I of the application and file the original with the Economic Development Office, within one hundred eighty (180) days of issuance of the building permit. A valid copy of the building permit must be attached to the application.

3. The Economic Development Office, shall determine if the taxes and special assessments are current.

4. The applicant shall certify that the improvement project is complete by returning to the Economic Development Office, to complete and sign Part 2 of the application. The Economic Development Office shall then file the application with the Sedgwick County Appraiser’s Office. In order for the applicant to receive a rebate the current year, the application should be completed no later than December 1 of the prior year.

5. The Appraiser’s Office shall conduct an on-site inspection of the construction rehabilitation project and determine the base value and new valuation of the real estate.

6. Upon payment of the real estate tax for the subject property for the initial and each succeeding tax year extending through the specified rebate period, a tax rebate shall be made to the applicant less applicable administrative fees as specified in the Inter-local Agreements. The tax rebate shall be made within thirty (30) days following each tax distribution date. The tax rebate shall be made by the Sedgwick County Treasurer through the Neighborhood Revitalization Fund established in conjunction with the City of Wichita and other taxing units participating in the Inter-local Agreement.

• Construction of an improvement must have begun on or after the date of the designation of the Neighborhood Revitalization Area and be located within the Neighborhood Revitalization Area.

• An application for a tax rebate must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days of issuance of a building permit.

• The MINIMUM investment is $10,000 for residential property, as determined by the building permit value. The MAXIMUM rebate is 95% for single family.

• The minimum investment is $10,000 for non-residential property and Multi-Family, as determined by the building permit value. The maximum rebate is 75% up to the maximum building permit value of $500,000 for Multi-Family and $250,000 for commercial/industrial.

• Properties listed on the national, Kansas or local historical register or located within a designated historic district are eligible for a 95% rebate.

• The improvements must conform to the City of Wichita’s Comprehensive Land Use and Zoning Ordinance in effect at the time the improvements are made.

• The new, as well as existing improvements on the property must conform to all applicable codes, rules, laws, ordinances and regulations in effect at the time the improvements are made, and for the length of the rebate or the rebate may be terminated.

• Any property that is delinquent in any tax payment or special assessment shall not be eligible for any rebate or future rebate until such time that all taxes and assessments have been paid. If such delinquency occurs after entry into the rebate program, the owner shall have no more than 90 days to bring the taxes current. If such delinquency continues beyond 90 days, the property shall no longer be eligible for a rebate.

• Tax rebates for multi-year projects shall be one-time rebates unless the applicant secures prior written approval of a phased plan.

• The following improvements are not eligible for a tax rebate:

  • Surface parking lots except as an accessory to a contiguous improvement

  • Multi-family housing except as defined hereinbelow

  • Railroads and utilities

  • Swimming pools, gazebos, new unattached garages and workshops. Rehabilitation of existing unattached garages (including accessory apartments) are eligible for rebates.

  • Mini warehouses

  • All property within a Tax Increment Financing District

  • Conversion of single family to multi-family housing units

  • Mobile homes

  • Any property located outside of USD #259

  • Any property which has or will receive IRB financing and/or a tax abatement

The maximum rebate is 75% for new multi-family construction and multi-family rehabilitation (excludes conversion of single family to multi-family units) up to $500,000 maximum building permit value.

Eligibility for commercial and industrial improvements is capped at a maximum of $250,000 based on the value of the building permit. The maximum rebate is 75%.

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