106 North Street West, Ripley WV 25271
304-373-2240
Brian K. Thomas, Assessor
I would like to welcome you to our website which has been created for the benefit of all Jackson County taxpayers. As a taxpayer you have every right to expect straight answers to your questions. We here at the Assessor's Office strive to provide the kind of public service that citizens need and deserve. Most people don't mind paying their taxes as long as they feel they are being treated fairly. Above all, an Assessor must strive to be fair. Here in Jackson County, we have been blessed by many factors in our favor. Interstate 77 and an excellent road system, one of the best public school systems in the state, and a major aluminum manufacturing facility which employs thousands of county residents. The taxpayers and their Assessor have a major part to play in the economic future of Jackson County. If you have any questions concerning your property assessment, please call me at 304-373-2240. Our office is now located in the Jackson County Courthouse Annex (Keller Building) at 106 North Street, W. in Ripley. The Office is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m and closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. If you, or an organization such as a school group would like to visit the Assessor's Office, please feel free to call us and we'll be happy to schedule a tour. We enjoy sharing with you, how your government works. I hope that you will find this website to be helpful in understanding the role of the Assessor's Office. Thank you. Brian K. Thomas Jackson County Assessor
The Jackson County Assessor's Office is an appraisal office, not a taxing office. This office is responsible for assessing all taxable property within the County and must work to treat tax payers as fairly as possible. The Assessor has the following basic responsibilities:
Locate all taxable property in the County and identify the ownership.
Establish a value for all property subject to property taxation.
List the value of all property on the assessment roll.
Apply all legal exemptions.
Deliver Certificates of Property Valuation to the County levying bodies.
Contrary to popular opinion the Assessor:
Does not determine your property tax bills.
Does not collect your property taxes.
Does not establish the property tax laws.
Does not set the rules for property appraisal. These rules are determined by the Legislature.
The Assessor does not impose property taxes. This office determines the value of all taxable property, both personal and real, in the County. The methodology for determining value is outlined in State Code. Property values constantly change with depreciation, inflation, and other market conditions. The State of West Virginia requires that each assessor review and update the Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal System (CAMA) on an annual basis for the appraisal of real estate. This means that your value may go up or down slightly in any given year. If your value increases over 10% in any given year, you will receive a written notice of increase of assessment. If you disagree with the value you should contact this office and share any information and reasons attesting to a different market value for your property. If an agreement on the value of your property cannot be reached, an appeal can be made to the County Commissioners who will convene as a Board of Equalization and Review during the month of February each year. You will be asked to state the value of your property and support that value with a certified appraisal, real estate insurance documentation, or other items. The assessment books maintained by the Assessor's Office are always available for public inspection.
The 1990 State Wide Revaluation Legislation and Property Valuation Commission requires that the Assessor must maintain all real estate at a value equal to existing market conditions. The Jackson County Assessor's Office maintains a highly trained staff to ensure that this County is assessing property equitably and as fairly as possible.
The actual levy rates are determined by the West Virginia Legislature (for the Board of Education), the County Commission and the two municipalities. Levy rate sheets are prepared for your convenience and may be obtained in the Assessor's Office. Current year levy rates for Jackson County can be viewed by clicking here or on the Levy Rate navigation button to the left.
Over 70%
of property tax dollars go to the Jackson County Board of Education. County government receives about 20% which is used to support the Courthouse and various services such as: Community Development Projects; County Health Department; Jackson County Public Library; Volunteer Fire Departments; Emergency Services; Senior Citizen Centers; and County Farm and Animal Shelter. For a History of Jackson County click here For Key Dates & Online Resources click here To view Levy Rates click here Frequently Asked Questions click here
Jackson County Assessor's Office 106 North Street West Ripley, WV 25271 304-373-2240