70.32(2)(c)1.
1. "Agricultural land" means land, exclusive of buildings and improvements, that is devoted primarily to agricultural use, as defined by rule.
70.32(2)(c)2.
2. "Productive forest land" means land that is producing or is capable of producing commercial forest products and is not otherwise classified under this subsection.
70.32(2)(c)3.
3. "Residential" includes any parcel or part of a parcel of untilled land that is not suitable for the production of row crops, on which a dwelling or other form of human abode is located and which is not otherwise classified under this subsection.
70.32(2)(c)4.
4. "Swampland or wasteland" means bog, marsh, lowland brush, uncultivated land zoned as shoreland under
s. 59.692 and shown as a wetland on a final map under
s. 23.32 or other nonproductive lands not otherwise classified under this subsection.
70.32(2r)(a)(a) For the assessments as of January 1, 1996, and January 1, 1997, or until the farmland advisory council under
s. 73.03 (49) makes its recommendation, but not to extend beyond January 1, 2009, the assessed value of each parcel of agricultural land is the assessed value of that parcel as of January 1, 1995.
70.32(2r)(b)
(b) For each year beginning with 1998 or upon completion of the farmland advisory council's recommendation and promulgation of rules and ending no later than December 31, 2008, the assessed value of the parcel shall be reduced as follows:
70.32(2r)(b)1.
1. Subtract the value of the parcel as determined according to the income that is or could be generated from its rental for agricultural use, as determined by rule, from its assessed value as of January 1, 1996.
70.32(2r)(b)2.
2. Multiply .1 by the number of years that the parcel has been assessed under this paragraph, including the current year.
70.32(2r)(b)4.
4. Subtract the amount under
subd. 3. from the parcel's assessed value as of January 1, 1996.
70.32(2r)(c)
(c) For the assessment as of the January 1 after the valuation method under
par. (b) no longer applies and for each assessment thereafter, agricultural land shall be assessed according to the income that could be generated from its rental for agricultural use.
70.32(3)
(3) Manufacturing property subject to assessment under
s. 70.995 shall be assessed according to that section.
70.32 Annotation
When market value is established by a fair sale of the property, or sales of reasonably comparable property are available, it is error for an assessor to resort to other factors in order to determine its fair market value, although such factors in the absence of such sales would have a bearing on its value. Rules on judicial review of valuation of real estate for tax purposes presuppose the method of evaluation is in accordance with the statutes; hence errors of law should be corrected by the court on certiorari and the failure to make an assessment on the statutory basis is an error of law. State ex rel. Markarian v. Cudahy, 45 W (2d) 683, 173 NW (2d) 627.
70.32 Annotation
While a sale establishes value, the assessment still has to be equal to that on comparable property. (2) (b) requires the assessor to fix a value before classifying the land; it does not prohibit him from considering the zoning of the property when it is used for some other purpose. State ex rel. Hensel v. Town of Wilson, 55 W (2d) 101, 197 NW (2d) 794.
70.32 Annotation
When an assessment must be based on a recent sale of the property the assessor cannot increase the value because no commission was paid a broker. State ex rel. Lincoln F. Warehouse v. Bd. of Rev. 60 W (2d) 84, 208 NW (2d) 380.
70.32 Annotation
Under the option agreement, the sellers' right to repurchase their homestead and their right of first refusal for the purchase of industrial buildings to be constructed on the property were factors going only to the willingness of the parties to deal and not their compulsion to do so; and the value of these rights, together with the monetary amount per acre, comprised the total sale price of the land. State ex rel. Geipel v. Milwaukee, 68 W (2d) 726, 229 NW (2d) 585.
70.32 Annotation
Evidence of net income from unique property was admissible to show market value. Assessor's unconfirmed valuation based on estimated replacement cost less depreciation could not stand alone because of uncontroverted evidence of actual costs of recent construction. Rosen v. Milwaukee, 72 W (2d) 653, 242 NW (2d) 681.
70.32 Annotation
District-wide use of comparative sales statistics to determine annual percentage increases of assessments was invalid under (1). State ex rel. Kaskin v. Board of Review, 91 W (2d) 272, 282 NW (2d) 620 (Ct. App. 1979). See also Lloyd v. Board of Review of City of Stoughton, 179 W (2d) 33, 505 NW (2d) 465 (Ct. App. 1993).
70.32 Annotation
Assessor erred in failing to consider disadvantages and liabilities which affect fair market value of dams. State ex rel. Wis. Edison Corp. v. Robertson, 99 W (2d) 561, 299 NW (2d) 626 (Ct. App. 1980).
70.32 Annotation
Lease of comparable property constituted "best information" regarding fair market value of leasehold improvements. State ex rel. Keane v. Bd. of Review, 99 W (2d) 584, 299 NW (2d) 638 (Ct. App. 1980).
70.32 Annotation
Sub. (1) requires use of cash equivalency adjustment in assessing property based upon sale of comparable properties. State ex rel. Flint v. Kenosha County Rev. Bd. 126 W (2d) 152, 376 NW (2d) 364 (Ct. App. 1985).
70.32 Annotation
Assessment largely based upon consideration of equalized value was invalid. Court erred by remanding with requirement that new assessment consider actual subsequent sale of subject property. State ex rel. Kesselman v. Sturtevant, 133 W (2d) 122, 394 NW (2d) 745 (Ct. App. 1986).
70.32 Annotation
Board erred as matter of law by basing assessment on "market" rental income when there was recent arms-length sale of property. Darcel v. Manitowoc Review Bd., 137 W (2d) 623, 405 NW (2d) 344 (1987).
70.32 Annotation
In determining market value under (1), board must determine whether financing arrangements between seller and buyer affected sale price; (1) prohibits assessment exceeding market value. Flood v. Lomira Board of Review, 153 W (2d) 428, 451 NW (2d) 422 (1990).
70.32 Annotation
Discussion of factors applicable to assessment of commercial property following sale. State v. Greendale Bd. of Review, 164 W (2d) 31, 473 NW (2d) 554 (Ct. App. 1991).
70.32 Annotation
Sec. 70.32 establishes a unitary taxing scheme; mineral rights are taxed as an element of the real estate and not separately. Cornell University v. Rusk County, 166 W (2d) 811, 481 NW (2d) 485 (Ct. App. 1992).
70.32 Annotation
Capitalization of income method based on estimated market rents rather than on actual rent was improper method of assessing subsidized rental property. Metro. Holding v. Milwaukee Review Bd. 173 W (2d) 626, 495 NW (2d) 314 (1993).
70.32 Annotation
Compliance with s. 73.03 (2a) assessment manual is not a defense when the method of assessment violates s. 70.32 (1). Metro. Holding v. Milwaukee Review Bd. 173 W (2d) 626, 495 NW (2d) 314 (1993).
70.32 Annotation
When an assessor disavows the correctness of comparable property shown on the tax roll, the burden is on the assessor to explain why the assessment is incorrect. Brighton Square Co. v. Madison, 178 W (2d) 577, 504 NW (2d) 436 (Ct. App. 1993).
70.32 Annotation
A taxpayer challenging an assessment has the burden of proving a sale was an arm's-length transaction. The taxpayer has the burden of proof on each "Property Tax Assessment Manual" condition that must be met. Doneff v. Review Board of Two Rivers, 184 W (2d) 203, 516 NW (2d) 383 (1994).
70.32 Annotation
The use of owner-operator income to value property is allowed if the net income reflects the property's chief source of value, the income is produced without skill of the owner or the owner's skill and labor are factored out and other valuation approaches are considered. Waste Management v. Kenosha County Review Bd. 184 W (2d) 541, 516 NW (2d) 695 (1994).
70.32 Annotation
There is no bright line rule for the number of comparable properties that must be shown to prove that the rule of uniformity is being violated. Assessments which are discriminatory and made based on arbitrary and improper considerations cannot stand. State ex rel. Levine v. Fox Point Board of Review, 191 W (2d) 363, 528 NW (2d) 424 (1995).
70.32 Annotation
Where property is encumbered by a bundle of rights, it must be appraised at its value using the current value of that bundle of rights. City of West Bend v. Continental IV Fund, 193 W (2d) 481, 535 NW (2d) 24 (Ct. App. 1995).
70.32 Annotation
Taxation of undeveloped real property in Wisconsin. Hack, Sullivan, 1974 WBB No. 1.
70.323
70.323
Assessment of divided parcel. 70.323(1)(a)(a) If a parcel of real property is divided, the owner of a divided parcel may request a valuation of the divided parcels. A request shall be in writing and submitted to the treasurer of the taxation district in which the property is located. If the taxation district treasurer is in possession of the tax roll, the treasurer shall make the requested valuation. If the tax roll has been returned under
s. 74.43, the taxation district treasurer shall forward the request to the county treasurer, who shall make the requested valuation.
70.323(1)(b)
(b) The appropriate treasurer shall, with the assistance of the assessor of the taxation district, attribute to each new parcel its value for the year of division. The value of each new parcel shall represent a reasonable apportionment of the valuation of the original undivided parcel, and the total of the new valuations shall equal the valuation of the original undivided parcel on January 1 of that year. The value of a new parcel as determined under this subsection is the value of that property for purposes of
s. 70.32 for the year of division.
70.323(2)
(2) Appeal. A determination under
sub. (1) may be appealed by bringing an action in circuit court within 60 days after the determination is made. The court shall determine whether the value determined under
sub. (1) represents a reasonable apportionment of the valuation of the original undivided parcel on January 1 of that year. If the court determines that the value does not represent a reasonable apportionment, the court shall redetermine the parcels' values, the total of which shall equal the valuation of the original undivided parcel on January 1 of that year.
70.323(3)
(3) Lien extinguished. Payment of all real estate taxes based on the value determined under
sub. (1) or
(2) extinguishes the lien against the parcel created under
s. 70.01.
70.323(4)
(4) Cooperation of assessor. The assessor of the taxation district shall assist the treasurer of the taxation district or of the county under
sub. (1).
70.323(5)
(5) Not applicable where written agreement. This section does not apply if there is a written agreement providing for the payment of real property taxes on the divided parcels in the year of division.
70.323 History
History: 1987 a. 378.
70.327
70.327
Valuation and assessment of property with contaminated wells. In determining the market value of real property with a contaminated well or water system, the assessor shall take into consideration the time and expense necessary to repair or replace the well or private water system in calculating the diminution of the market value of real property attributable to the contamination.
70.327 History
History: 1983 a. 410;
1995 a. 378.
70.337
70.337
Tax exemption reports. 70.337(1)
(1) By March 31 of each even-numbered year, the owner of each parcel of property that is exempt under
s. 70.11 shall file with the clerk of the taxation district in which the property is located a form containing the following information:
70.337(1)(a)
(a) The name and address of the owner of the property and, if applicable, the type of organization that owns the property.
70.337(1)(b)
(b) The legal description and parcel number of the property as shown on the assessment roll.
70.337(1)(d)
(d) A description of any improvements on the land.
70.337(1)(e)
(e) A statement indicating whether or not any portion of the property was leased to another person during the preceding 2 years. If the property was leased, the statement shall identify the portion of the property that was leased, identify the lessee and describe the ways in which the lease payments were used by the owner of the property.
70.337(1)(f)
(f) The owner's estimate of the fair market value of the property on January 1 of the even-numbered year. The owner shall provide this estimate by marking one of a number of value ranges provided on the form prepared under
sub. (2). The assessor for the taxation district within which the property is located may review the owner's estimate of the fair market value of the property and adjust it if necessary to reflect the correct fair market value.
70.337(2)
(2) By July 1 of each even-numbered year, the clerk of each taxation district shall complete and deliver to the department of revenue a form on which the clerk estimates the value of tax-exempt property, classified by type of owner, within the taxation district.
70.337(3)
(3) The department of revenue shall prescribe the contents of the form for reporting the information required under
sub. (1), including the categories of value of property that the department of revenue determines will result in the best estimate of the value of tax-exempt property in this state. The department of revenue shall also prescribe the contents of the form under
sub. (2). The form under
sub. (2) shall provide for estimates of the value of tax-exempt property in the taxation district that is owned by various categories of owners, including property that is owned by the benevolent and educational associations; fraternal and labor organizations; nonprofit hospitals; private colleges; and churches and religious associations. The forms under
subs. (1) and
(2) shall be prepared and distributed under
s. 70.09 (3).
70.337(4)
(4) The department of revenue shall tabulate data from the forms received under
sub. (2) and prepare an estimate of the value of tax-exempt property in this state by category of owner. The department shall include this information in the summary of tax exemption devices prepared under
s. 16.425 (3).
70.337(5)
(5) Each person that is required to file a report under
sub. (1) shall pay a reasonable fee that is sufficient to defray the costs to the taxation district of distributing and reviewing the forms under
sub. (1) and of preparing the form for the department of revenue under
sub. (2). The amount of the fee shall be established by the governing body of the taxation district.
70.337(6)
(6) If the form under
sub. (1) is not received by March 31 of the even-numbered year, the taxation district clerk shall send the owner of the property a notice, by certified mail, stating that the property for which the form is required will be appraised at the owner's expense if a completed form is not received by the taxation district clerk within 30 days after the notice is sent. If the completed form is not received by the taxation district clerk within 30 days after the notice is sent, the property shall be appraised either by the taxation district assessor or by a person hired by the taxation district to conduct the appraisal.
70.337(7)
(7) This section does not apply to property that is exempt under
s. 70.11 (1),
(2),
(13),
(13m),
(15),
(15m),
(21) or
(30), property that is exempt under
s. 70.11 (18) if a payment in lieu of taxes is made for that property, lake beds owned by the state, state forests under
s. 28.03 or
28.035, county forests under
s. 28.10, property acquired by the department of transportation under
s. 85.08 or
85.09 or highways, as defined in
s. 340.01 (22).
70.339
70.339
Reporting requirements. 70.339(1)
(1) By March 15 each person that owns property that is exempt under
s. 70.11, except
s. 70.11 (1) and
(2), and that was used in the most recently ended taxable year in a trade or business for which the owner of the property was subject to taxation under sections
511 to
515 of the internal revenue code, as defined in
s. 71.22 (4m), shall file with the clerk of the taxation district in which the property is located a statement containing the following information:
70.339(1)(a)
(a) The name, address and telephone number of the owner of the property.
70.339(1)(b)
(b) The name, address and telephone number of a person who can be contacted concerning the use of the property in a trade or business.
70.339(1)(c)
(c) A general description of the activities engaged in to conduct the trade or business.
70.339(1)(d)
(d) The location and a description of the property that is used in the trade or business including, if applicable, the specific portion of a building that is used to conduct the trade or business.
70.339(2)
(2) The format and distribution of statements under this section shall be governed by
s. 70.09 (3).
70.339(3)
(3) If the statement required under this section is not received by the due date, the taxation district clerk shall send the owner of the property a notice, by certified mail, stating that failure to file a statement is subject to the penalties under
sub. (4).
70.339(4)
(4) A person who fails to file a statement within 30 days after notification under
sub. (3) shall forfeit $10 for each succeeding day on which the form is not received by the taxation district clerk, but not more than $500.
70.339 History
History: 1991 a. 39,
269.
70.34
70.34
Personalty. All articles of personal property shall, as far as practicable, be valued by the assessor upon actual view at their true cash value; and after arriving at the total valuation of all articles of personal property which the assessor shall be able to discover as belonging to any person, if the assessor has reason to believe that such person has other personal property or any other thing of value liable to taxation, the assessor shall add to such aggregate valuation of personal property an amount which, in the assessor's judgment, will render such aggregate valuation a just and equitable valuation of all the personal property liable to taxation belonging to such person. In carrying out the duties imposed on the assessor by this section, the assessor shall act in the manner specified in the Wisconsin property assessment manual provided under
s. 73.03 (2a).
70.34 History
History: 1973 c. 90;
1991 a. 316.
70.34 Annotation
"True cash value" is not a figure that can be determined by bargaining with the taxpayer and such an agreement would be void. The unsupported statement of the taxpayer has no probative value. State ex rel. Berg E. Corp. v. Spencer Rev. Bd. 53 W (2d) 233, 191 NW (2d) 892.
70.34 Annotation
Factors considered relevant to determination of market value for assessment purposes discussed. State ex rel. Mitchell Aero v. Bd. of Review, 74 W (2d) 268, 246 NW (2d) 521.
70.34 Annotation
Market data or sales approach was proper where 94% of machines were leased and only 6% were sold. Income capitalization approach has been used only when no sales exist. Xerox Corp. v. Department of Revenue, 114 W (2d) 522, 339 NW (2d) 357 (Ct. App. 1983).
70.345
70.345
Legislative intent; department of revenue to supply information. The assessor shall exercise particular care so that personal property as a class on the assessment rolls bears the same relation to statutory value as real property as a class. To assist the assessor in determining the true relationship between real estate and personal property the department of revenue shall make available to local assessors information including figures indicating the relationship between personal property and real property on the last assessment rolls.
70.35
70.35
Taxpayer examined under oath or to submit return. 70.35(1)(1) To determine the amount and value of any personal property for which any person, firm or corporation should be assessed, any assessor may examine such person or the managing agent or officer of any firm or corporation under oath as to all such items of personal property and the taxable value thereof as defined in
s. 70.34. In the alternative the assessor may require such person, firm or corporation to submit a return of such personal property and of the taxable value thereof. There shall be annexed to such return the declaration of such person or of the managing agent or officer of such firm or corporation that the statements therein contained are true.
70.35(2)
(2) The return shall be made and all the information therein requested given by such person on a form prescribed by the assessor with the approval of the department of revenue which shall provide suitable schedules for such information bearing on value as the department deems necessary to enable the assessor to determine the true cash value of the taxable personal property owned or in the possession of such person on January 1 as provided in
s. 70.10. The return may contain methods of deriving assessable values from book values and for the conversion of book values to present values, and a statement as to the accounting method used. No person shall be required to take detailed physical inventory for the purpose of making the return required by this section.
