Steps to File a Formal Objection
- To file a formal appeal, give notice of your intent (through this written notice of intent or by calling the City Clerk’s office at 414-479-8917) at least 48 hours before the Board of Review begins.
- You must also complete the Objection to Real Property Assessment form. The form must be filed before or during the first two hours of the Board of Review’s first meeting.
- Forms can be filed electronically to boardofrevie[email protected], or by physical copy to the City Clerk’s Office.
- The objection form must be completed in its entirety and signed. The Board of Review reserves the right to dismiss incorrect or incomplete objection forms.
- Any person filing an objection on behalf of a corporate entity or as the owner’s representative must provide an Agent Authorization form signed by the property owner. Paper forms are also available at the City Clerk’s office.
- Objections may proceed to a formal hearing before the Board of Review. Similar to a court, the Board of Review has the responsibility for resolving differences of opinion of valuation. The Board of Review hears oral testimony and evidence presented by the property owner and the Assessor’s staff. After hearing the evidence, the Board of Review may lower, raise, or sustain the assessment.
Please view the Department of Revenue – Guide for Property Owners.
About the Hearing
- You will receive written notice of the date and time of your hearing before the Board.
- Prior to your scheduled hearing, you will be asked to provide a copy of the documents you will be presenting to the Board during your hearing.
- If you submit an appraisal, the appraiser must be present at the hearing for follow-up questioning.
- You will have the opportunity to question the assessor.
- Per state statute, the assessed valueAn estimate of value assigned to taxable property by the assessor for purposes of property taxation. State law requires all assessments periodically be within 10% of market value. Assessed values most closely reflect market value following a revaluation. In non-revaluation years, assessments typically reflect a fraction of market value due to the changing real estate market. is presumed to be correct; it is your responsibility to prove that the property is over-assessed in comparison with similar property in Wauwatosa. You should have considerable information that is relevant to the market valueThe amount a typical, well-informed purchaser would be willing to pay for a property. For a sale to represent market value, the seller must be willing (but not under pressure) to sell and the buyer must be willing (but not under any obligation) to buy. The property must be on the market for a reasonable length of time, the payment… of your property. This may include a recent arm’s length sale of your property, or recent sales of comparable properties
- The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has a Guide for Property Owners that contains more information.
- You may find the Board of Review Rules and Procedures helpful.
Information to submit before a Hearing
The following should be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office prior to the appeal hearing:
- Asking price, offering sheets, ads
- Copy of closing statement
- Copy of mortgage, notes, and/or contract
- Discount points involved
- Terms of sales, special financing
- Copy of appraisal – appraiser must be present
- Listing of recently sold properties which you will be citing as comparisons
- Cost estimates of major repairs
- Income and expense statements*
- Cost and depreciation schedules*
- Balance sheets*
- Copy of leases, if leased*
*Applies to commercial properties; accountant should be present.
Please submit ten (10) sets for residential and commercial cases.