Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do my taxes keep going up with all the new houses being built?

A: Because the spending % increase keeps going up faster than the new construction % increase in value. (the tax bill will show where the spending is increasing) in general the School / County / Tech College make up 85% to 90% of the tax bill (this is where spending needs to stay in control to lower taxes. (the township in usually 10 to 14% of tax bill, they don't change spending much from year to year)

Q: Are Portable Storage Sheds taxable?

A: Yes, they are taxable, but I don't put as much value on them because they're portable.

****You can contact Wis Dept of Revenue Property Assessment Office at 715-842-5885 to verify this.

Q: Do I have to leave the assessor the inside of my house to view it? 

Section 70.05(4n) of the Wisconsin statutes requires the following notice:

You have the right to refuse entry into your residence pursuant to section 70.05(4m) of the Wisconsin statutes. Entry to view your property is prohibited unless voluntarily authorized by you. Pursuant to section 70.05(4m) of the Wisconsin statutes, you have the right to refuse a visual inspection of the interior of your residence and your refusal to allow an interior inspection of your residence will not be used as the sole reason for increasing your property tax assessment. Refusing entry to your residence also does not prohibit you from objecting to your assessment pursuant to section 70.47(7) of the Wisconsin statutes.

However, if facts exist making an interior view necessary to complete an accurate valuation, the assessor may seek a special inspection warrant per section 66.0119 of the Wisconsin Statutes to view the interior of the home.

Q: What is Open Book?

A: The assessor can review and change values if he feels your property is not fairly assessed in comparison to the current sales & other property in the township.

Q: What is Board of Review?

A: The Town Board can change your assessment, if you provide good evidence that you are being unfairly assessed in comparison to recent sales or other property in the township.

You need to provide good evidence, not just that my taxes are too high.

Q: Does the mill rate(tax rate per thousand dollars of value) ever go down?

A: Yes it can, but it doesn't happen to often(only if spending goes down), Except after a Complete Revaluation of all land & buildings the mill rate will be lowered, but values will be higher also.

Q: We're doing a Complete Revaluation for the township will my taxes go up?

A: Taxes could go DOWN or UP or STAY THE SAME. Your % change in value in comparison to the average % change for the township as a whole will determine this. The mill rate will be lower after a revaluation, but values will be higher (mill rate will be lower only if values changed for all buildings & land in the township) You pay a higher mill rate when you are below 100% full value. You pay a lower mill rate if you are above 100% full value. Mill rate is adjusted up or down each year to this % of full value and current budget changes.

Q: How is 100% Full Market Value(Equalized Value) of the Township Determined?

A: The Wisconsin Dept of Revenue asks the Assessor to provide all the current Assessed Values for every Usable Sale in the Township. The Dept of Revenue divides the Assessed Value by the Sale Value to come up with a % of full value the current assessment are at. This is done for every different class of land & buildings in the township. This percentage shows up on your tax bill every year to determine your estimated fair market value.

Q: Does Everyone pay the same mill rate(tax rate) on buildings or land in township?

A: Yes and No

Yes, if they are in the same school district & township & county & tech school.

No, Different School Districts in your Township could have a higher or lower mill rate than you.

Example Below: Town of Arcadia mill rates for 2017 tax bill (only difference is school district)

Whitehall School District -------- $20.38 per thousand value

Blair / Taylor School District------ $21.14 per thousand value

Arcadia School District ------------ $22.48 per thousand value

Independence School District --- $23.51 per thousand value

Q: How are taxes calculated from the assessed value or estimated fair market value?

A: The taxes are the current assessed value multiplied by the current mill rate for your tax district. Then the lottery credit(for your main residence) is subtracted. Then 1st dollar credit is subtracted for each parcel with buildings on it.