Property Value

Property value is the dollar-value placed on land and buildings for the purposes of administering property taxes.

The two commonly-used methods of valuing property in Wisconsin are "assessed" and "equalized." Assessed valuation is property value as determined by the local municipal assessor on January 1 in any given year. Equalized valuation results when the Department of Revenue (DOR) applies an adjustment factor to the assessed value. The adjustment factor incorporates, among other elements, actual property sales in the municipality during the past year and is meant to ensure each type of property has comparable value regardless of local assessment practices. Most state computations use equalized value, otherwise known as "fair market" value. Fair market value can be further defined as the value that would be agreed upon between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an "arm's length" transaction where neither is required to act.

The first time school districts receive the new-year information in an official value certification is in October. The October 1 Tax Apportionment Value Certification is used to apportion levies and determine municipal tax bills. After October 1, the Department of Revenue may refine this same set of numbers until a "final" version is issued the following May (almost 1 1/2 years after the original assessment). This final version is known as the School Aid Value Certification and will be used in the FOLLOWING year's Equalization Aid formula. So, as an example, property value as of January 1, 2007 will eventually be used in the 2008-09 Equalization Aid computation.

It is important that districts understand which values are used for what computations.

Click on Glossary of Finance Terms for further information on property valuation (includes a discussion of the Tax Incremental Finance TIF Increment).

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2011-2012 School Fiscal Year

Fall School District Certification of 2011 Values - Tax Apportionment - These values are used to set school levies for the 2011-12 school year.

Fall School District Certification of 2011 Values - Tax Apportionment. - These values are used to set school levies for the 2011-12 school year.

Spring School District Certification of 2010 Values - School Aid - These values, adjusted for any reorganization orders effective July 1, 2011, are used in the October 15, 2011 certification of school district equalization aid eligibility.

Spring School District Certification of 2010 Values by Municipality - School Aid

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2010-2011 School Fiscal Year

Fall School District Certification of 2010 Values - Tax Apportionment - These values are used to set school levies for the 2010-11 school year.

Fall School District Certification of 2010 Values - Tax Apportionment. - These values are used to set school levies for the 2010-11 school year.

Spring School District Certification of 2009 Values - School Aid - These values, adjusted for any reorganization orders effective July 1, 2010, are used in the October 15, 2010 certification of school district equalization aid eligibility.

Spring School District Certification of 2009 Values by Municipality - School Aid

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2009-2010 School Fiscal Year

*** Important Note Regarding Fall School District Certification of 2009 Values - Tax Apportionment. ***

Fall School District Certification of 2009 Values - Tax Apportionment - These values are used to set school levies for the 2009-10 school year.

Fall School District Certification of 2009 Values - Tax Apportionment. - These values are used to set school levies for the 2009-10 school year.

Spring School District Certification of 2008 Values - School Aid - These values, adjusted for any reorganization orders effective July 1, 2009, are used in the October 15, 2009 certification of school district equalization aid eligibility.

Spring School District Certification of 2008 Values by Municipality - School Aid

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2008-2009 School Fiscal Year

Fall School District Certification of 2008 Values - Tax Apportionment - These values are used to set school levies for the 2008-09 school year.

Fall School District Certification of 2008 Values - Tax Apportionment. - These values are used to set school levies for the 2008-09 school year.

Spring School District Certification of 2007 Values - School Aid - These values, adjusted for any reorganization orders effective July 1, 2008, are used in the October 15, 2008 certification of school district equalization aid eligibility.

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2007-2008 School Fiscal Year

Fall School District Certification of 2007 Values - Tax Apportionment - These values are used to set school levies for the 2007-08 school year.

Spring School District Certification of 2006 Values - School Aid - These values, adjusted for any reorganization orders effective July 1, 2007, are used in the October 15, 2007 certification of school district equalization aid eligibility.

Prior years' data on property valuation.

For questions about this information, contact dpifin@dpi.wi.gov (608) 267-9114

Last updated on 10/11/2011 11:55:12 AM