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Assessor - Appeal Process

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1. Want to file your appeal online?

You may now file the Taxpayer's Notice To Initiate An Appeal (Form 130) online by visiting our Beacon Website. There you can search for the desired property for which you need to file an Appeal. After locating the subject property, begin the appeal process by clicking the “File an Appeal” button located under the Assessment Appeals Process header. Complete all of the steps and finish with an electronic signature. A copy of the completed Form 130 will be sent to your email and another copy sent directly to the Assessor. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our office at 317-477-1102 or email Salliann Flake, Appeal Coordinator.

2. Submitting In-Person?

We are located in the Hancock County Annex Building at 111 American Legion Place in Greenfield. Our office is Suite 204 on the second floor.

3. Submitting via email?

If you have access to a scanner, you may also scan your form and supporting evidence and email it to our office. Please email Salliann Flake, Appeal Coordinator.

4. Submitting via US mail?

To send a Form 130 (PDF) via mail, send the form and your evidence to:

Hancock County Assessor
111 American Legion Place, Suite 204
Greenfield, IN 46140

We are open from 8 am to 4 pm. Monday through Friday. We do not close for lunch. We will be closed on County Holidays (PDF).

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Assessor - Property Tax Exemptions

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1. What properties may qualify for an exemption?

Property may be granted an exemption if an Application for Property Tax Exemption (Form 136) (PDF) has been timely filed and it is proven that the property qualifies for an exemption specifically identified by statute. Generally, such statutes require ownership or occupancy of the property by a qualifying entity and use of the property for an exempt purpose as defined by laws which govern the decisions made by the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals (PTABOA).

Indiana Code 6-January 1, 2010-16 provides guidelines that aid in determining whether or not an entity is eligible for a tax exemption. Property that is owned, occupied, and used for charitable, educational, religious, literary, or scientific reasons may be eligible for a full or partial tax exemption.

Forms may be submitted via mail, email, fax, or in-person to:

Hancock County Assessor
111 American Legion Place, Suite 204
Greenfield, IN 46140
Email Crystal Stanley
Fax: 317-477-1104
Phone: 317-477-1102

2. What must I file and when?

Form 136 (PDF) must be filed with the County Assessor by April 1st of the assessment year in which the property becomes eligible. With this application, the taxpayer is required to submit copies of the following documents:

• Bylaws
• Articles of Incorporation or other organizational documents
• Financial Statements for the previous three years which includes balance sheets and summary of income and expenditure
• Property Record Card (this document may be obtained from the County Assessor)

3. Want to file online?

You may now file the Application for Property Tax Exemption (Form 136) online by visiting our Beacon Website. There you can search for the desired property for which you need to file an application. After locating the subject property, find Form 136 located on tool bar at the top of the page. Complete and submit the form electronically. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our Exemption Deputy, Crystal Stanley, by phone or email. 

4. What happens after I file?

PTABOA considers the application and issues a determination of approval, partial approval, or denial. If denied, the taxpayer has the opportunity to appeal that decision to the Indiana Board of Tax Review (IBTR). To appeal a denial, the taxpayer must file a Petition to the IBTR for Review of Exemption (Form 132) within 45 days from the date the notice of rejection is given by the county PTABOA, and a copy must also be mailed to the county assessor.

5. How often do I file?

Once an exemption under IC 6-1.1-10-16 is granted for a property that is owned, occupied, and used by a person for charitable, educational, religious, literary or scientific purposes there is no need to refile unless a change in use, value, character or ownership occurs. If one of these changes occurs, the change will not affect the property’s eligibility for an exemption for that assessment date. However, the entity that obtained the exemption or the current owner of the property must notify the County Assessor of the change in the year that the change occurs by filing Form 136-CO/U (PDF) (Notice of Change of Ownership or Use of Exempt Property) with the County Assessor. The submission of this form aids the Assessor in knowing whether or not the exemption should remain in place or to remove the exemption in the following assessment year. If the exemption is removed, the County Assessor will notify the entity that filed or the new owner, if applicable, that a new Application for Property Tax Exemption (Form 136) will be required in the following assessment year to maintain, or initiate, the exempt status.

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Assessor - Reassessment

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1. What should I expect from a reassessment?

A reassessment will result in a new value being established for your property. This new value will replace the value currently on your property and will be the basis used for taxing property. Please remember that an increase in property value does not automatically mean an increase in your property taxes.

2. How is reassessment conducted?

A data collector will visit each property to gather information. Each of our data collectors will carry a photo identification card. After checking to see if anyone is home, our data collector will conduct the following for each property.

• Take a picture of the outside of your property
• Identify any physical changes and improvements to the property
• Record any necessary measurements

3. How can I make sure my assessment is correct?

First of all, talk with the Assessor's Office. We want to do the best possible job. Please don't ignore notices or letters to your property.

4. Why do we have reassessment?

Reassessments are required by law and are to insure that each property is valued fairly. The purpose of the reassessment is to realign the values of Real property.

5. What are property tax caps?

Beginning with the 2010 tax bills, property owners have been entitled to a circuit breaker cap on the amount of property taxes over:

• 1% homestead properties
• 2% long-term care facilities
• 2% residential properties
• 2% agricultural land
• 3% nonresidential properties
• 3% personal property

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Auditor

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1. I have refinanced my home, do I have to reapply for my property tax deductions?

If you refinance your mortgage, you must reapply for your property tax deductions at the Hancock County Auditor's Office.

2. I have recently married and taken my spouses last name, do I need to reapply for my property tax deductions?

If you change your name, you must reapply for your property tax deductions with the Hancock County Auditor's Office.

3. Are there tax deductions for those over 65, Veterans or the disabled?

In order to apply for the Over 65 deductions and disability deductions, you must bring your Federal Tax return from two years ago and proof of disability from your doctor. If you are a disabled American Veteran, you must bring your Award of Compensation showing the percentage the VA has determined for your service-connected disability.

4. Who do I contact if I changed my tax mailing address?

Please complete the address change form (PDF) and mail or email the form to:

Hancock County Auditor
Attention: Address Change
111 S American Legion Place, Suite 217
Greenfield, IN 46140

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Auditor - Property Tax Deductions

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1. Have you filed for all the property tax deductions that you might be eligible for?

For questions regarding your current deductions call the Hancock County Auditor at 317-477-1105. To view all available deductions types or to obtain deduction forms please view the Indiana Property Tax Benefits Form (PDF).

2. Have you refinanced your mortgage, changed your name, changed ownership or moved?

If you refinance your mortgage, change your name, change ownership or move to a new property you must reapply for your property tax deductions with the Hancock County Auditor.

3. Are you over 65, a Veteran or disabled?

In order to apply for the Over 65 deductions and disability deductions, you must bring your most recent Federal Tax return and proof of disability from your doctor or Social Security Administration. If you are a disabled American Veteran, you must bring your Award of Compensation showing the percentage the VA has determined for your service-connected disability.

4. Do you need to change your tax mailing address?

Please complete the Address Change Form (PDF) and mail or email the form to:

Hancock County Auditor
Attention: Address Change
111 S American Legion Place, Suite 217
Greenfield, IN 46140

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Elections

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1. What is the date of the next Election?

The MUNICIPAL Primary Election for the City of Greenfield, Town of Cumberland, Town of Fortville and Town of McCordsville will be held on May 2, 2023.  

2. When does early voting begin for the May 2, 2023 Municipal Election begin?

Early voting will begin Tuesday, April 4, 2023.  Please watch for the Vote Center Schedule following the March 9, 2023 meeting of the County Election Board. 

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Emergency Management - Earthquakes in Indiana

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1. Can an earthquake happen here?

Yes, Hancock County, and all of Indiana, may feel the effects of an earthquake. Hancock County Emergency Management is working to increase public awareness of the threat posed by an earthquake.

Preparedness and planning are crucial for reduction of the threat to life and property posed by an earthquake. Because an earthquake strikes without warning it is crucial that our homes, schools and businesses develop plans and be prepared to react appropriately.

2. What can we do to prepare?

1. Identify and Correct Hazards

Before an earthquake strikes you can check your home, school or business for hazards that may cause injury during an earthquake. Typical hazards include wall mounted objects, items suspended from the ceiling, glass from breaking windows, freestanding bookshelves, file cabinets, and other objects which may break or fall causing injury. Many of these hazards can be corrected by properly anchoring the objects to the wall or ceiling.

2. Develop an Earthquake Plan

Plan ahead for what you will do should an earthquake strike. Remember earthquakes strike without warning so it is important to develop a plan now. Carefully consider the needs of small children, the elderly and those with disabilities.

Incorporate the following in your plan:

• When indoors during an earthquake duck to the floor, take cover under a desk or sturdy table, and hold on to it until the shaking stops. Remember the phrase duck, cover, and hold. Regular practice drills should be held.
• When outdoors during an earthquake move rapidly, but safely out into the open, away from buildings, power lines and trees. Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops.
• If you are in a moving vehicle during an earthquake stop as quickly and safely as possible and pull to the side of the road. Stay away from utility poles, overhead wires, and underpasses or overpasses. Stay in your vehicle, set the parking brake and wait until the shaking stops. If you drive on after the shaking stops watch carefully for hazards created by the earthquake.
• Your plan should include what you will do after the earthquake.
• Determine all exit routes and be sure everyone is familiar with them. Plan for how you will account for everyone. Develop a location where you will reunite with others. Learn how to shut off the gas, water and electricity.
• You should plan and prepare to be self- sufficient and react independently for at least 72 hours due to the extreme demands placed on local emergency responders. Stay off the telephone unless you must report an emergency.
• If possible, listen to the radio for instructions. For your safety, always obey any order of evacuation that may be issued.
• Be prepared for possible aftershocks that may cause additional damage or destroy already weakened structures.
• Do not attempt to move any injured or unconscious people unless they are in immediate danger.
• Please respond to any requests for volunteer assistance, but do not enter any damaged area unless instructed to do so.

3. Put Together an Emergency Kit

The kit should include a three day supply of drinking water, food you don't have to refrigerate or cook, first aid supplies, blankets, clothing, a wrench and other basic tools, a flashlight, work gloves, emergency cooking equipment, essential medications, portable radio, extra batteries, and a fire extinguisher. Many other items may be included in your kit to meet your specific needs.

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Health

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1. How can I get a birth or death certificate?

You can get a birth or death certificate by either coming into our office or by mailing a request. You will need to provide birth/death information, payment, and identification for yourself. Print out the form and fill it out, return it to our office, or provide the following information:

For a Birth Certificate

Name at birth, date of birth, parents' names, mother's maiden name, and the state each parent was born in. Include identification for yourself. A copy of a current driver's license is sufficient or send other signature/picture identification. Include payment for the certificate: $15 for a combo certificate (includes regular size and laminated wallet size). The passport office does not recommend lamination of birth certificates if applying for a passport.

For a Death Certificate

Provide the name of the deceased and date of death. Indicate the number of copies needed. Include payment: $15 for each copy requested.

2. How can I add the father of my child to his birth certificate?

If the birth occurred in Hancock County, you will need to call and set up an appointment to come into the office to complete a Paternity Affidavit to make this correction. Both parents will need to come in. If the mother was married before she will need to provide a copy of her divorce decree. If the parents have been married since the child's birth you may both come into the office to fill out a Paternity Affidavit upon Marriage. You will need to call for an appointment and be sure to bring your marriage certificate. Another way to add the father's name is by contacting the Prosecutor's office and following their procedure.

If the name is wrong on a birth or death certificate- how can get it changed? Call our office for an appointment. On a birth certificate (as long as the person is still living) we need three documents at least 10 years old showing the correct way the name should be. We then file an affidavit of the amendment and change the record.

3. How can I get a copy of my birth certificate if I don't have any identification?

A family member can get a copy for you by providing their identification. We can issue to parents, grandparents, or siblings (must be 18 years of age).

4. How do I find genealogy records?

Come into our office between the hours of 8:30 am and 3:30 pm to check our indexes to see if the records are available. Our records go back to 1882 for births and deaths. Or you can write to our once with a list of records that you are looking for. We will check the indexes and provide you with a list of what is available. We do not photocopy records. We charge $15 for each birth certificate and $15 for each death certificate.

These are certified copies that we type from the birth/death registers. All information will be typed on the certificate as listed in the register. Other sources for genealogy records are:

• Greenfield Public Library
  900 W McKenzie Road.
  Greenfield, IN 46140
  Phone: 317-477-5141
• Indiana State Library
  Genealogy Division
  140 N Senate Avenue
  Indianapolis, IN 46204
• Hancock County Historical Society
  28 N Apple Street
  Greenfield, IN 46140
  Elayne Stewart, Phone: 317-326-5255

We also have a book of Tombstone Inscriptions, 1833 to 1933. This is also available at the Greenfield Public Library.

5. What is the procedure for installation of a septic system?

See copies of The Application Process for Septic Systems and Requirement for Plot Plan.

6. What is the cost of soil borings?

Soil Borings are the responsibility of the Homeowner or Contractor. A Septic Application is required. The fee for this application is $50.

7. Is there a time limit on soil boring results?

No, not as long as the soil is not disturbed.

8. What is the cost of septic permits?

Septic Permits cost $50.

9. Is there a time limit on septic permits?

Yes, one year from the time it is obtained.

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Recorder - Preparing Documents for Recording

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1. Planning to transfer property?

Consider contacting an attorney or other licensed real estate professional. For your convenience, please visit the Hancock County Bar Association website.

2. Did you decide to prepare your own legal documents?

Please keep in mind the Recorder's Office does not prepare documents nor provide legal advice.

3. How much is it going to cost to record your documents?

Please see the Recording/Copy Fees page.

4. Does your document need notarized or another standard statement?

The majority of documents are required to be acknowledged or notarized. In addition, many documents need to have a "Document Prepared By" statement and a separate Social Security Statement: "I affirm, under the penalties for perjury, that I have taken reasonable care to redact each Social Security Number in this document, unless required by law __________." IC 36-2-11-15(d)

5. Does the document meet the exemption for any standard statement?

Federal tax lien, judgments, order and writs of the court, wills, death certificates, Uniform Commercial Code documents instruments executed before July 1, 1959 and documents prepared or acknowledged outside the State of Indiana may be exempt; however, keep in mind there may be other requirements before that document can be recorded.

6. Does the document involve real estate or personal property?

A legal description is usually required for most documents pertaining to real estate, as well as, the Assessors Sales Disclosure Stamp and the Auditor's Transfer Stamp. As far as personal property, a list of the property and location may be required.

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Surveyor

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1. What are section corners?

Section corners were created when the government originally surveyed Indiana into "mile square" parcels. Section corners refer to the four corners of the "mile square" parcel. The intermediate half-mile corners are referred to as "quarter corners" because they divide the section into quarters. These corners are usually found near the centerline(s) of this County's roads. They are marked by monuments set under the direction of a licensed surveyor.

2. Where can I get a county map?

Printed maps are available through the County Surveyor. Digital maps of individual tax parcels are available on the GIS Mapping.

3. Where can I get a recorded plat of my property?

If within a subdivision, the County Recorder can provide a copy of the plat of each subdivision and lot(s) for a small fee.

If not within a subdivision, the County has only a few recently recorded copies of non-subdivision surveyed parcels. Those are also available through the County Recorder.

4. Why was my survey drawing not recorded when my property was surveyed?

Indiana has only recently required the recordation of surveys in specific circumstances as in a) the creation of a new tax parcel; b) a previously unrecorded survey; or c) when the recent survey differs significantly from the description of record.

5. Why do I see people from your office working or digging in the middle of the road?

The County Surveyor is required to maintain records indicating the location of each original government horizontal monument within his county. Many of these monuments develop the centerlines of county roads. (IC 36-2-12 sec. 10&11)

6. When do I need a drainage permit?

You will need a drainage permit in the following situations.  First, if a building or septic permit are required.  Secondly, for the relocation or improvements of a county tile or other regulated watercourse.

7. What is the process for a drainage permit?

The Hancock County Stormwater Ordinance explains the process for obtaining a drainage permit. The Ordinance is available at the County Surveyor's Office in CD format. Once you have a plot plan for a house or a layout for development and identified the outlet, then an engineer or surveyor can submit drainage calculations for your project. The general release rates for the county are a 10-year return period storm may not exceed 0.1 Cubic feet per second (CFS) per acre and a 100-year return period storm may not exceed 0.3 CFS per acre.

8. What is the Hancock County Drainage Board and who are the members?

The Hancock County Drain Board is currently comprised of the County Commissioners, two pointed members, the County Surveyor (ex officio), a secretary, and an attorney.

9. How can I contact the Hancock County Drainage Board?

You may contact with them by leaving a message at the County Surveyor’s Office.

10. When do I need to go before the Hancock County Drainage Board?

The Drainage Board has jurisdiction over the Regulated Drains. The following conditions require Drainage Board approval - encroachments into easements, variances from ordinances or standards, relocate or replace a drain, and all monetary actions for drains (assessments, repairs, brushing, dredging, spraying, etc.)

11. When and where does the Drainage Board meet?

The Board usually meets the first Thursday of each month in the Commissioners' meeting room at 8 am in the Courthouse Annex, 111 South American Legion Place, Greenfield, IN. Information about the activities of the Board is available at the County Surveyor's Office 317-477-1150 - also in the Annex building.

12. What is a floodplain?

A Floodplain is: The channel proper and the areas adjoining the channel which have been or hereafter may be covered by a regulatory or 100-year flood.  Any normally dry land area that is susceptible to being inundated by water from any natural source.  The floodplain includes both the floodway and the floodway fringe districts.

13. What is a flood zone?

A flood zone is: A letter assigned to the Flood Insurance Rate Map to determine insurance rates.

14. What is a floodway?

A Floodway is: The Channel of a river or stream and those portions of the floodplains adjoining the channel which are reasonably required to efficiently carry and discharge the peak flow of the regulatory flood of any river or stream.

15. What is a flood fringe?

A Flood Fringe is: That portion of the flood plain lying outside the floodway, which is inundated by the regulatory flood.

16. Who sets the standard for what is a floodplain, flood zone, floodway, and flood fridge?

These standards are by studies of the channels or streams and are set by FEMA.

17. Who can help me with a flood zone determination?

A land surveyor, an engineer, or the County Surveyor’s office

18. Can I build in a floodplain? Floodway?

All requests must go through IDNR.

19. What is an elevation certificate? When do I need one?

An elevation certificate is a form from FEMA that is used in relationship with floodplains. The form is used to determine the lowest floor, lowest adjacent grade, number of openings below the first floor, and other useful information, in order to determine if a structure is in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If a structure or improvements to that structure are within a designated flood zone then, the elevation certificate must be used. The certificate must be filled out completely and have the seal of a registered surveyor, engineer, or architect.

20. What is a regulated drain?

A regulated drain is an open or tiled drain that was created by landowners under a drainage statute.

21. Where do I find maps of regulated drains?

Maps are on file at the County Surveyor’s Office.

22. I have a tile that connects to a regulated drain. Does this mean that maintaining this tile is the county’s responsibility?

No, the county is responsible for the regulated drain only. Any private tile connecting to a regulated drain tile is the responsibility of the land owner.

23. What do the terms “brushing” and “dredging” mean?

The terms "brushing" and "dredging" are used in the Surveyor's Office when discussing the maintenance of regulated drains. "Brushing" is the removal of trees, and small woody vegetation from the top of the bank to the flow line of the drain. Brushing occurs when the woody vegetation has become overgrown on the banks of the regulated drain and is limiting the amount of water that can flow through this channel. "Dredging" is the process of excavation excess sediment in the channel of the drain in order to increase flow and the storage capacity of the drain. These two operations are performed by contractors under the direction of the County Surveyor's Office.

24. What is a “watershed”?

A watershed is an area of land from which all storm runoff water drains to a common point.

25. Why do I pay a drainage assessment and the drain is not on my property?

Even through the actual drain is not on you property, it does drain the storm runoff water from your property.

26. How do I petition to make a drain a regulated drain?

See IC 36-9-27-18 and 19

27. What is the general drainage improvement fund?

The general drain improvement fund is used as a "bank" to loan monies without interest for construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of regulated drains.

28. What is a drain maintenance fund?

A drain maintenance fund includes monies paid by landowners within a watershed for the specific purpose of repair and maintenance of their drain. This fund does not include monies derived from County property taxes.

29. Who contributes to the general drain fund?

General drain fund: Is provided by appropriations from the County general fund, taxes levied by the County Council; monies received from assessments upon land receiving special benefits in the construction or reconstruction of a drain; interest and penalties on collection of delinquent drain assessments; repayment from a drain maintenance fund, etc.

30. How is the interest gained from investment applied to drainage funds?

Interest for invested drain funds is applied to the general drain fund.

31. How long does a drain stay on assessment?

Re-assessment length is a maximum of 5 years in the case of a construction or reconstruction project. For maintenance funds, the duration of the assessment is based on the balance in the fund at the end of each year. However, when a maintenance fund has an unencumbered balance equal to or greater than four times the estimated annual cost of periodically maintaining the drain - the fund is not to collect in that year (IC 36-9-27-43). Urban drains may be assessed for a duration of 20 years (IC 36-8-27-88).

32. Where do I pay my drainage assessment?

All drainage assessment payments are made at the County Treasurer’s Office.

33. How is a drainage assessment determined?

Drainage assessments are determined by the Drain Board after consideration of the following item: the number of acres per tract; the total volume of water passing through the drain; land use; soil types; elimination or reduction of damage from floods; any increased value to a tract(s) of land benefited from the drainage provided; or any other item that provides a benefit or liability to a tract of land (IC 36-8-27-112).

34. What are benchmarks?

Benchmarks in land surveying usually refer to a monument containing an elevation relative to sea level. The County Surveyor's Office tries to maintain and perpetuate these for use by the development community, floodplain determinations, and stormwater management.

35. What is a “legal survey”?

A legal survey is a process whereby a landowner may establish the location of the line between the landowner's land and that of an adjoining landowner. This usually occurs when a discrepancy exists in title descriptions or poor boundary monumentation exist. IC 36-2-12-10(b)

36. Do you do private surveys?

No, you will have to hire a private surveying company.

37. What is the Community Rating System (CRS) program?

Community Rating System (CRS) is a rating system associated with insurance premiums for parcels within federally determined flood plains.  The determination of the insurance liability associated with the County’s flood plain program.

38. How do I get in touch with IDNR? FEMA? Army Corps of Engineers? NRCS?

• IDNR website
• FEMA website
• Army Corps of Engineers website

NRCS - Local
Hancock County Soil & Water
1101 W Main Street
Greenfield, IN 46140

Phone: 317-462-2283, ext. 3

39. What is NPDS Phase II?

On December 8, 1999, Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, was published in the Federal Register. The NPDES program, as authorized by the 1072 amendments to the Clean Water Act, controls water pollution by regulation point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Phase II of NPDES requires permit coverage for stormwater discharges from regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and for small construction activity that results in the disturbance of equal to or greater than one acre. This Federal regulation went into affect March 10, 2003. In response to Phase II of NPDES, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management enacted Rule 13 (237 IAC 15-13) and revised Rule 5 (327 IAC 15-5). Under these new State and Federal regulations, Hancock County is required to establish a regulatory mechanism for regulating stormwater quality management. Therefore, the "Hancock County Drainage Code" was modified to address stormwater quality and quantity.

40. How does a licensed surveyor locate your property lines?

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