Do I Have to Continue Paying Property Taxes After Filing an Appeal?

Ownership of residential or commercial real estate provides many benefits, but it also brings tax liabilities. Wisconsin property owners must pay property taxes every year, and these taxes are based on the assessed value of the property. However, errors are sometimes made during property tax assessment, and property owners may appeal the assessment of their property in order to reduce their tax burden.

The Assessment Appeal Process

Municipal assessors conduct assessments of properties on an annual basis, and property owners are notified if the assessment of their property changed from the previous year. If a property owner believes the assessment of his or her property’s value is not correct, he or she should first contact the assessor to review records and determine the factors that influenced the assessment.

If the owner wishes to appeal the assessment of his or her property, he or she may file an appeal with his or her local Board of Review (BOR). If his or her city has a Board of Assessors (BOA), then the claim will first be investigated by the BOA before the case is heard by the BOR.

The property owner will present evidence about the estimated value of the property to the BOR, and the BOR will reach a decision about whether the value of the property should be reassessed. If a property owner does not agree with the BOR’s decision, he or she may file an appeal with the circuit court or with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

Taxes During an Appeal

After appealing a property tax assessment with the BOR, a property owner may file a claim to recover incorrect property taxes paid due to an excessive assessment. He or she may also file a claim to recover any unlawful taxes, such as taxes on property that were exempt, taxes based on errors made during assessment, or taxes that were calculated incorrectly due to mathematical or clerical errors. However, a claim can only be made if taxes have been paid on time. This means that even when filing an appeal, a property owner must pay property taxes when they are due.

Contact a Milwaukee Property Tax Attorney

Property taxes can have a significant effect on the finances of any property owner, and it is important to ensure the value of property is assessed correctly and that no excessive or unlawful taxes are being paid.

If you have any questions about appealing a property tax assessment or filing a claim to recover incorrect taxes, the attorneys of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP can help you understand your rights and work to protect your financial interests. Contact our Wisconsin property tax assessment lawyers at 414-271-1440.

Sources:

https://www.revenue.wi.gov/DOR%20Publications/pb055.pdf

https://www.wisbar.org/NewsPublications/WisconsinLawyer/Pages/Article.aspx?Volume=84&Issue=7&ArticleID=2258