Assessments fall into two broad categories: maintenance and revaluation. Maintenance consists of utilizing the assessment roll from the previous year and updating values to the current level of assessment when changes warrant. Examples of changes include new construction, combining or splitting of parcels, remodeling, demolition, annexation and zoning changes, changes in classification, and other occurrences that might affect value or the attributes of the parcel. These changes may, or may not, result in a change in value; nonetheless each of these requires the Property Record Card (PRC) to be updated. Reliable valuation depends on reliable data so ongoing maintenance and updating of information is a high-priority responsibility for all assessors.
On properties that do not require any data changes or corrections, the assessment should remain the same. If a property warrants a change then it may affect the assessed value. Examples of changes include new construction, combining or splitting of parcels, remodeling, demolition, annexation and zoning changes, changes in classification, and other occurrences that might affect value or the attributes of the parcel. These changes may, or may not, result in a change in assessed value.
If we discovered changes to a property that would alter the value, or an error was discovered, then the assessment would change. If we did not discover any changes or errors, then the assessment would remain the same.
No. Only owners of properties where the value changed from 2022 to 2023 will receive a 2023 Notice of Assessed Value. All other property owners will receive an informational postcard. If your value did not change but you would like a Notice of Assessed value, you may call (414) 286-6565 and request one to be emailed to you.
Yes. Regardless of whether it is a revaluation or maintenance assessment, property owners have the right to contest their assessment each year. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) provides many useful guides. The Guide for Property Owners describes the assessment process including Open Book and Board of Review processes.
Contact the Assessor’s Office one of three ways:
- Submit a request through the Ask the Assessor page at milwaukee.gov/AskAssessor
- Call (414) 286-6565 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:45 pm
- Visit the Assessor’s Office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:45 pm
No. While assessments determine the portion of property taxes a property owner is responsible for, the actual amount of property taxes per homeowner is determined by the total budgets for each overlying taxing jurisdiction (City, County, MATC, School District, etc.). For example, if all property values stayed the same, but the total budgets for each jurisdiction increased 3%, then all tax bills would increase 3%.