Low Income Rebates

***Please note that rebates from the previous year are only processed from January 2 through April 30 for telephone, stormwater and utility fees.***

Shawnee residents that have a "Very Low Income", as defined and set by the U.S. Department of Urban Housing Development (HUD) guidelines for the Johnson County Area Median Family Income, are eligible for a rebate of franchise fees paid on residential electricity and/or gas bills and the Stormwater Utility Fee paid on residential property as shown on the annual property tax bill paid to the County.

Franchise Fees Rebate (Gas and Electric Bills)
Eligible residents may apply for a refund of the franchise fee paid on gas and electricity bills for the previous year. The franchise fee amounts to be rebated may be identified on monthly gas and electric bills as "Shawnee Franchise Fee," "Franchise Fee," or "Special Municipal Charge." Application forms are not required.

Eligible residents can bring the following to the City Clerk's Office at City Hall to request a rebate:

• Originals or copies of your gas and electricity bills;
• A copy of your Federal Income Tax Return from the previous year. Income guidelines are based on total household income, not adjusted gross income. The City will not keep this information, but simply verify that you meet the income guidelines;
• Proof that you are the financially legal person responsible for payment of the utilities (Government issued identification such as a valid driver's license.).

Stormwater Utility Rebate
Eligible residents can bring the following to the City Clerk's Office at City Hall to request a rebate. Requests for the Stormwater Utility Fee Rebates are accepted between January 2 and April 30.

• The previous year's property tax statement (Property Taxes can be in two installments with the first installment paid in or before December and the second installment in or before May;
• A copy of your Federal Income Tax Return from the previous year. Income guidelines are based on total household income, not adjusted gross income. The City will not keep this information, but simply verify that you meet the income guidelines.

Property taxes can be paid in two installments, December and May. If a qualifying property owner does make two payments, the City will issue two refunds, after each portion of the property tax bill is paid. If the resident pays the property tax bill all at once, the City will make one refund. Stormwater utility fees are $72 per year and can be found on the annual Property Tax Bill received by Johnson County.


Property Tax Rebate Program
This program provides tax assistance to low income residents. The goal is to help residents remain in their homes and help make it more affordable to do so. The program will be for a 100% rebate (up to a maximum of $500) of the City’s property tax (excluding special assessments).

Applications are processed on an annual basis as budget permits. Applications will be accepted starting January 2 through April 30 and will be reviewed starting May 1 and checks will be mailed after June 3.

Eligibility
In order to qualify for the Property Tax Rebate Program you must:

• Be a current resident of the City of Shawnee, Kansas

• Live in and own your home

• Be current on your property taxes and special assessments.

• Meet the above income guidelines (HUD’s Very Low Income Guidelines)

Application Instructions

To apply for the program, submit the application and required documents to the City Clerk’s Office in person, by mail, or via email.

• Completely fill out and sign the application

• Submit proof of the most recent annual income for all household members, such as a tax return and/or Social Security statement (see last page of application for income types).

Senior Citizen Telephone Bill Rebate
The City offers refunds to senior citizens on the franchise tax charged on residential telephone bills. Each year the rebate is granted for the previous year's telephone franchise fee. This rebate is only valid on traditional landline phone service. This rebate may not be valid for Spectrum, Google Fiber, AT&T U-Verse, Time Warner or Consolidated Communications customers who have bundled services. Some of these services use a VoIP data system which does not get taxed under the franchise tax fee structure. Senior citizens who turned 62 on or before January 1 of the year, for which the refund is granted, are eligible for the rebate. Senior citizens who lived in Shawnee from January 1 to December 31 of the rebate year are eligible.

Qualifying residents may bring proof of age and copies of each telephone bill from the rebate year that shows the "Special Municipal Charge" to the City Clerk's office at City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203. Application forms are not required. Residents who did not save all their bills, can apply for a partial rebate for those months for which they do have their bills if they can show proof of residency from January 1 to December 31 of the rebate year. Applications are accepted from January 2 through April 30. Refunds take approximately four to six weeks to process.

Residents who have questions about rebates should contact City Clerk's Office at (913) 742-6014.