Wauwatosa Open Book Period Is May 4 – May 15, 2020

Press release from the City of Wauwatosa:

May 1, 2020

Based on the assessment roll, the City of Wauwatosa is required by state law to send a notice to property owners when there is a change in their assessed value from the prior year. Roughly 4% of property owners will receive a change of assessment notice in the mail. Not all property owners will receive this notice, just those that changed.

If you feel that your assessment is reasonable, you do not have to do anything.

If you do not feel that your assessment is reasonable, you would:

1. Review your property information. You can also search comparable properties. The 2020 values are scheduled to be available on the city’s website by May 4, 2020.
2. Contact the Assessor’s Office by May 15. If you are requesting a change in your property value, you must email tassessor@wauwatosa.net with evidence of a change in property value. This could include a copy of a recent appraisal, market analysis, or photos of your property showing certain features not listed on your property's record.
3. Our appraisers will contact property owners to ensure a complete review of the property owner's concerns are met. If a change in value results after contacting the Assessor’s Office, a follow up change of value will be generated.
4. If you disagree with the Open Book determination, you have the right to appeal your assessment to the Board of Review. You would have to give notice of your intent to file a formal appeal at least 48 hours before the first meeting of the Board of Review. The first meeting of Board of Review is May 29. No cases will be heard on this first meeting, as the purpose of the first meeting is to determine logistics of the Board of Review. You would fill out the Objection to Real Property Assessment form and submit it to the City Clerk's office via mail or email: boardofreview@wauwatosa.net. We highly encourage you to contact the Assessor’s Office prior to filing an appeal, and we can address your questions and concerns.

This press release was produced by the City of Wauwatosa. The views expressed here are the author’s own.