New Agricultural Forest
Assessment is in Place
MADISON, WI (March 18, 2005) - The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is urging owners of agricultural land to check their tax assessments this spring, especially with the continuation of two new classifications of land: undeveloped land and agricultural forest.
Tax assessment statements for most municipalities are issued in April and May to notify landowners of changes in property assessments. Not all landowners will receive notices.
Assessments for cropland and pastureland are determined by use value assessment of farmland formulas set for each township by the Department of Revenue. Changes in local assessment ratios may affect assessments on crop and pastureland. Farmers need to understand how cropland and pasture is classified, which determines what assessments apply.
A new law that went into effect last year classifies wetlands, swamp and wasteland as "undeveloped land." That land will still be assessed at 50 percent of the market value.
A new definition for "agricultural forest" was also created that will also be assessed at 50 percent of the market value. To be eligible for the lower tax rate, the woodlot must be classified as agriculture forest and must be next to a parcel that is entirely agricultural land or located on a parcel that contains land that is classified as agricultural land.
Landowners should receive a notice of the change in assessment if the overall assessment of a tax parcel changes. If not, they should contact the assessor and Board of Review. The Farm Bureau said landowners need to follow the correct appeals process or no changes can be made in assessments.
The Farm Bureau said if farmers have questions about their assessments, they should first talk with their assessors to make sure their land is properly classified, and understand which parcels of land are included on each assessment statement.
The Agricultural Assessment Guide can be downloaded from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau web site at www.wffb.com. Additional can be downloaded from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue web site at www.dor.state.wi.us, or by calling 608-266-2772.
Steps on checking property tax assessments: (1) Check with local assessor to make sure land is accurately classified. (Grade 1-3, or pastureland) (2) Verify that assessments for the property have been accurately applied from the Department of Revenue guidelines. (3) Compare any market value assessments of property (buildings, woodlots and wasteland) with comparable property in the township/taxing district if there is a question. (4) Talk with the assessor over any questions or disagreements. (5) Go to local Board of Review if there are disagreements with assessor. To do that, the property taxpayer must notify the Board's clerk at least 48 hours before the first scheduled meeting of the Board. A property owner must go to the Board of Review if they want to keep their options open to appeal their assessment.
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