Every year, the assessor's office prepares a preliminary assessment roll. This reflects property values as of January 1 each year.

In 2025, the Open Book Review period will tentatively be held in Summer 2025. 

The Open Book Review period is set aside to answer questions posed by property owners and to correct obvious clerical errors that were made in compiling the assessment roll.

If an error was made, or if there is evidence that the assessment is different than the actual fair market value of property, the Assessor's Office will review the facts and may make appropriate adjustments. The best evidence of value is a recent arm’s length sale of the property or sales of comparable properties.

Contact the Assessor's Office with your questions.

Why did my assessment change?

In 2025, the City of Wauwatosa Assessor's office will conduct a city-wide revaluation. All property owners will receive a notice of assessment in the mail regardless of a change in value.  

Many factors play a part in determining a property's assessed value. Examples of factors that may affect value are: 

• Location
• Condition of property
• New construction or remodeling
• Demolition
• Combining or splitting of parcels

Subtle differences between individual properties and neighborhoods can cause assessment to change at different rates and result in different value changes from one property to another. Market factors, such as recent sale prices, can also vary from one neighborhood to another neighborhood and style of home. Therefore, it’s possible that property values in one location of the city may increase, while another portion of the city may see values decrease or stay the same. Assessment will always follow market trends and which properties are in demand.

For more information about the revaluation process, please see our Revaluation Frequently Asked Questions.

Comparing Assessments

You can research property assessment / tax data. Available information includes property address, legal description, sales information, as well as details about physical characteristics.

Owners who disagree with their assessment should personally discuss it with the neighborhood appraiser. If an error was made, or if there is evidence that the assessment is more than the actual fair market value of property, the Assessor's Office will review the facts and may make appropriate adjustments.

Formal Objections

After talking with the Assessor's Office, owners who still feel that the value of property is overstated may file formal written objections to the Board of Review (BOR). Objections must be submitted to the City Clerk on forms that are available in the City Clerk's Office or on-line.

Formal 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 hears oral testimony and evidence presented by the property owner and the Assessor's staff. After hearing the evidence, the Board may lower, raise, or sustain the assessment.

For additional information on procedures, please view the Department of Revenue's guide for property owners.

To request or submit the formal objection forms, please contact the City Clerk’s Office and the Board of Review at boardofreview@wauwatosa.net.

Contact

For more information, please email the Assessor's Office or call (414) 479-8969.

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