70.32 Annotation
A property tax assessment of retail property leased at above-market rent values should be based on market rents and not on the above-market rental terms of the actual lease. Walgreen Co. v. City of Madison,
2008 WI 80,
311 Wis. 2d 158,
752 N.W.2d 687,
06-1859.
70.32 Annotation
When an assessor only after looking at prevailing market conditions and all variables determined that the market for lakefront property had grown so strong that factors other than beach length and beach quality were being ignored by the marketplace, the approach was not formulaic and is not in violation of Campbell. Anic v. Board of Review of the Town of Wilson,
2008 WI App 71,
311 Wis. 2d 701,
751 N.W.2d 870,
07-0761.
70.32 Annotation
An assessment based on a Department of Revenue analysis of the sale of a mining company that owned the land was not based upon a recent arm's-length sale of the property. A value derived by analyzing a complex corporate transaction involving the sale of a variety of assets, tangible and intangible, independent and interdependent, is not equivalent to the price obtained in a sale of one component of that transaction. Forest County Potawatomi Community v. Township of Lincoln,
2008 WI App 156,
314 Wis. 2d 363,
761 N.W.2d 31,
07-2523.
70.32 Annotation
The Assessment Manual and case law set forth a 3-tier system for determining the fair market value of property. A recent arm's-length sale of the property is the best evidence of value, and is the basis for an assessment under tier one. If there has been no recent sale, an assessor must consider sales of reasonably comparable properties, which is the tier 2 approach. In the absence of comparable sales data, the assessor determines the value under tier 3, which permits consideration of all the factors collectively that have a bearing on value of the property in order to determine its fair market value. Nestle USA, Inc. v. DOR,
2009 WI App 159,
322 Wis. 2d 156,
776 N.W.2d 589,
08-0322. Affirmed Nestle USA, Inc. v. DOR,
2011 WI 4,
331 Wis. 2d 256,
795 N.W.2d 46,
08-0322.
70.32 Annotation
Absent sufficient proof that no market existed for a property having a specialized use, an assessment under the tier 2 comparable sales approach based on an expanded definition of highest and best use to include a use for which a market exists would be contrary to sub. (1). The taxpayer has the burden of proving the absence of a market for the property with its current specialized use. That there were no known sales of properties put to that special use merely suggests that such properties are rarely bought and sold. It does not necessarily indicate that the taxpayer would be unable to find a buyer who intended to maintain the property as its current use. Nestle USA, Inc. v. DOR,
2009 WI App 159,
322 Wis. 2d 156,
776 N.W.2d 589,
08-0322. Affirmed Nestle USA, Inc. v. Wisconsin Department of Revenue,
2011 WI 4, 331_ Wis. 2d 256,
795 N.W.2d 46,
08-0322 70.32 Annotation
When there are no sales of the property itself or of reasonably comparable properties, an assessment cannot be made under a tier one or tier 2 methodology. The assessment is then made using a tier 3 methodology. The cost of replacement approach is the preferred tier 3 method of valuation when, as here, the property has a highly specialized use resulting in there being no comparable properties. Nestle USA, Inc. v. DOR,
2009 WI App 159,
322 Wis. 2d 156,
776 N.W.2d 589,
08-0322. Affirmed Nestle USA, Inc. v. Wisconsin Department of Revenue,
2011 WI 4,
331 Wis. 2d 256,
795 N.W.2d 46,
08-0322.
70.32 Annotation
In situations when it has been determined that there is no potential market for the subject property, it is contrary to sub. (1) to conclude that the highest and best use of the property should remain the same. That was not the case when there was at least a limited market for powdered infant formula production facilities. Nestle USA, Inc. v. Wisconsin Department of Revenue,
2011 WI 4,
331 Wis. 2d 256,
795 N.W.2d 46,
08-0322.
70.32 Annotation
Reassessing one property at a significantly higher rate than comparable properties using a different methodology and then declining to reassess the comparable properties by that methodology violates the uniformity clause. U.S. Oil Co., Inc. v. City of Milwaukee,
2011 WI App 4,
331 Wis. 2d 407,
794 N.W.2d 904,
09-2260.
70.32 Annotation
Comparing a taxpayer's appraised value to lower values assigned to a relatively small number of other properties has long been rejected as a claimed violation of the uniformity clause. Lack of uniformity must be established by showing a general undervaluation of properties within a district when the subject property has been assessed at full market value. Great Lakes Quick Lube, LP v. City of Milwaukee,
2011 WI App 7,
331 Wis. 2d 137,
794 N.W.2d 510,
09-2775.
70.32 Annotation
A property's assessed value is based on fair market value but a property's assessed value is not necessarily equal to its fair market value. Assessors must base assessments of real property on the property's fair market value. However, as the plain language of the Property Assessment Manual makes clear, a property's fair market value is not synonymous with its assessed value. In most cases individual property assessments are different than the property's fair market value. Stupar River LLC v. Town of Linwood Board of Review,
2011 WI 82,
336 Wis. 2d 562,
800 N.W.2d 468,
09-0191.
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. This subsection does not apply to a church that is required to file a report under
sub. (1).
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. Berg Equipment Corp. v. Spencer Board of Review
53 Wis. 2d 233,
191 N.W.2d 892 (1971).
70.34 Annotation
When there are no actual sales, cost, depreciation, replacement value, income, industrial conditions, location and occupancy, sales of like property, book value, insurance carried, value asserted in a prospectus, and appraisals are all relevant to determination of market value for assessment purposes. Mitchell Aero, Inc. v. Milwaukee Board of Review,
74 Wis. 2d 268,
246 N.W.2d 521 (1976).
70.34 Annotation
A market data or sales approach was proper when 94% of machines were leased and only 6% were sold. An income capitalization approach has been used only when no sales exist. Xerox Corp. v. Department of Revenue,
114 Wis. 2d 522,
339 N.W.2d 357 (Ct. App. 1983).
70.34 Annotation
Although net income from billboard rentals may be a factor to consider, it cannot be the sole controlling factor in determining value. When the Madison city assessor acknowledged that he considered but rejected all other approaches and factors, his assessment contravened long-standing assessment principles, as well as the prevailing practice for assessing billboards throughout Wisconsin and the United States. Adams Outdoor Advertising, Ltd. v. City of Madison,
2006 WI 104,
294 Wis. 2d 441,
717 N.W.2d 803,
05-0508.
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, the taxable value thereof as defined in
s. 70.34 if the property is taxable and the fair market value if the property is exempt under
s. 70.11 (39) or
(39m). 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, and of the personal property that is exempt under
s. 70.11 (39) and
(39m), that is 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.
70.35(3)
(3) Each return shall be filed with the assessor on or before March 1 of the year in which the assessment provided by
s. 70.10 is made. The assessor, for good cause, may allow a reasonable extension of time for filing the return. All returns filed under this section shall be the confidential records of the assessor's office, except that the returns shall be available for use before the board of review as provided in this chapter. No return required under this section is controlling on the assessor in any respect in the assessment of any property.
70.35(4)
(4) Any person, firm or corporation who refuses to so testify or who fails, neglects or refuses to make and file the return of personal property required by this section shall be denied any right of abatement by the board of review on account of the assessment of such personal property unless such person, firm or corporation shall make such return to such board of review together with a statement of the reasons for the failure to make and file the return in the manner and form required by this section.
70.35(5)
(5) In the event that the assessor or the board of review should desire further evidence they may call upon other persons as witnesses to give evidence under oath as to the items and value of the personal property of any such person, firm or corporation.
70.35(6)
(6) The return required by this section shall not be demanded by the assessor from any farmer, or from any firm or corporation assessed under
ch. 76 or from any person, firm or corporation whose personal property is not used for the production of income in industry, trade, commerce or professional practice.
70.35(8)
(8) This section shall not be applicable to farm products as defined by
s. 93.01 (5) when owned and possessed by the original producer.
70.35 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also s.
Tax 12.10, Wis. adm. code.
70.36
70.36
False statement; duty of district attorney. 70.36(1)(1) Any person in this state owning or holding any personal property that is subject to assessment, individually or as agent, trustee, guardian, personal representative, assignee, or receiver or in some other representative capacity, who intentionally makes a false statement to the assessor of that person's assessment district or to the board of review of the assessment district with respect to the property, or who omits any property from any return required to be made under
s. 70.35, with the intent of avoiding the payment of the just and proportionate taxes on the property, shall forfeit the sum of $10 for every $100 or major fraction of $100 so withheld from the knowledge of the assessor or board of review.
70.36(1m)
(1m) Any person, firm or corporation that fails to include information on property that is exempt under
s. 70.11 (39) and
(39m) on the report under
s. 70.35 shall forfeit $10 for every $100 or major fraction thereof that is not reported.
70.36(2)
(2) It is hereby made the duty of the district attorney of any county, upon complaint made to the district attorney by the assessor or by a member of the board of review of the assessment district in which it is alleged that property has been so withheld from the knowledge of such assessor or board of review, or not included in any return required by
s. 70.35, to investigate the case forthwith and bring an action in the name of the state against the person, firm or corporation so complained of. All forfeitures collected under the provisions of this section shall be paid into the treasury of the taxation district in which such property had its situs for taxation.
70.36(3)
(3) The word assessor whenever used in
ss. 70.35 and
70.36 shall, in 1st class cities, be deemed to refer also to the commissioner of assessments of any such city and, where applicable, shall be deemed also to refer to the department of revenue responsible for the manufacturing property assessment under
s. 70.995.
70.365
70.365
Notice of changed assessment. When the assessor assesses any taxable real property, or any improvements taxed as personal property under
s. 77.84 (1), and arrives at a different total than the assessment of it for the previous year, the assessor shall notify the person assessed if the address of the person is known to the assessor, otherwise the occupant of the property. If the assessor determines that land assessed under
s. 70.32 (2r) for the previous year is no longer eligible to be assessed under
s. 70.32 (2r), and the current classification under
s. 70.32 (2) (a) is not undeveloped, agricultural forest, productive forest land, or other, the assessor shall notify the person assessed if the assessor knows the person's address, or otherwise the occupant of the property, that the person assessed may be subject to a conversion charge under
s. 74.485. Any notice issued under this section shall be in writing and shall be sent by ordinary mail at least 15 days before the meeting of the board of review or before the meeting of the board of assessors in 1st class cities and in 2nd class cities that have a board of assessors under
s. 70.075 and shall contain the amount of the changed assessment and the time, date, and place of the meeting of the local board of review or of the board of assessors. However, if the assessment roll is not complete, the notice shall be sent by ordinary mail at least 15 days prior to the date to which the board of review has adjourned. The assessor shall attach to the assessment roll a statement that the notices required by this section have been mailed and failure to receive the notice shall not affect the validity of the changed assessment, the resulting changed tax, the procedures of the board of review or of the board of assessors or the enforcement of delinquent taxes by statutory means. After the person assessed or the occupant of the property receives notice under this section, if the assessor changes the assessment as a result of the examination of the rolls as provided in
s. 70.45 and the person assessed waives, in writing and on a form prescribed or approved by the department of revenue, the person's right to the 15-day notice of the changed assessment, no additional notice is required under this section. The secretary of revenue shall prescribe the form of the notice required under this section. The form shall include information notifying the taxpayer of the procedures to be used to object to the assessment. The form shall also indicate whether the person assessed may be subject to a conversion charge under
s. 74.485.
70.365 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also s.
Tax 12.075, Wis. adm. code.
70.37
70.37
Net proceeds occupation tax on persons extracting metalliferous minerals in this state. 70.37(1)
(1)
Legislative findings. The legislature finds that:
70.37(1)(a)
(a) The existence has been announced of several economically significant ore bodies containing copper, zinc, lead, taconite and other metalliferous minerals in this state, including one of the largest zinc deposits in North America.
70.37(1)(b)
(b) Metalliferous minerals are valuable, irreplaceable natural resources which, once removed, are forever lost as an economic asset to the state.
70.37(1)(c)
(c) The activity of mining metalliferous minerals creates jobs, economic activity, tax revenues and other valuable benefits to the economy and residents of this state.
70.37(1)(d)
(d) The activity of mining metalliferous minerals creates additional costs to the state and municipalities for highways, sewers, schools and other improvements which are necessary to accommodate the development of a metalliferous mining industry.
70.37(1)(e)
(e) The activity of mining metalliferous minerals has a permanent and often damaging effect on the environment of the state.
70.37(1)(f)
(f) The activity of mining metalliferous minerals significantly alters the quality of life in communities directly affected by mining.
70.37(1)(g)
(g) As the size of a mining operation increases, the cost to the state and municipalities to support the operation increases, as does the damage to the environment. Furthermore, as the size of a mining operation increases, the person mining metalliferous minerals benefits from economies of scale in the mining operation.
70.37(1)(h)
(h) A graduated net proceeds occupational tax, by taxing profitability at rates which vary with the level of profitability, encourages important state goals, such as:
70.37(1)(h)1.
1. Gradual, continuous and complete extraction of metalliferous minerals.
70.37(1)(h)4.
4. Taxation based on the privileges enjoyed by persons mining metalliferous metallic minerals.
70.37(1)(i)
(i) Municipalities incur long-term economic costs as a result of metalliferous mineral mining after the mining operation shuts down. An impact fund, in which is deposited a portion of the tax revenues, should assure that moneys will be available to such municipalities for long- and short-term costs associated with social, educational, environmental and economic impacts of metalliferous mineral mining.
70.37(2)
(2) Legislative intent. It is the declared intent of the legislature to establish a net proceeds occupation tax on persons engaged in the activity of mining metalliferous minerals in this state. The tax is established in order that the state may derive a benefit from the extraction of irreplaceable metalliferous minerals and in order to compensate the state and municipalities for costs, past, present and future, incurred or to be incurred as a result of the loss of valuable irreplaceable metallic mineral resources.
