File an Appeal

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Making the Decision to File an Appeal

The best indicator of market value is a recent arm's length sale of the subject property.
Actual sales of comparable properties are the next best suitable evidence of the value of the subject property.
If you are still unsatisfied with your property's assessment, complete and file an objection form with the City Clerk's office.
- You must also fill out the Objection to Real Property Assessment form.
The Agent Authorization form is also available online or in paper form at the City Clerk's office.

You will receive written notice of the date and time of your hearing before the Board.
You will be asked to provide a copy, before your hearing, 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 value 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 value 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.

For more information, please contact:

City Clerk's Office
(414) 479-8917
boardofreview@wauwatosa.net

City Assessor's Office
(414) 479-8969

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.
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.

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