Tax Incremental Financing

A method of splitting the cost of public works in certain areas (tax increment districts) with the other taxing bodies that will benefit from an increase in the tax base. The way it works is any increase in value in the TID above the base value (the value at the time the TID is formed) is not included in determining the tax rate, however, the tax rate is applied to all taxable property in the TID.

The additional revenue generated (the tax increment) is used by the municipality to help pay for the public works that stimulated the increase in the value of the TID. This process continues until either the public works are paid for, the legislative body terminates the TID, or 23 years has elapsed.

Tax Levy

The total amount of property tax money that a taxing unit (such as the schools, city, county, etc.) needs to raise to provide services.

Tax Rate

The tax levy (as determined by the taxing bodies) divided by the tax base. It is often expressed in terms of dollars per thousand. The tax rate is multiplied by the assessed value to determine the amount of tax that each property must pay.

Taxing Bodies

The following taxing bodies determine the total tax levy for property located in the City of Wauwatosa:

  • City of Wauwatosa
  • Milwaukee Area Technical College
  • Milwaukee County
  • Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
  • State of Wisconsin (for reforestation)
  • Wauwatosa Public Schools

Visit the City of Wauwatosa Finance page for information on tax bills, Historical Tax Rate Information, and other helpful resources.

Uniformity

The Wisconsin State Constitution demands that all property values within the municipality be based on market value.