(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will soon certify state municipalities’ 2025 equalized values, which determine how statewide property tax levels are distributed.
The DOR’s 2025 preliminary equalized values report, posted Monday, is used to tell municipalities how their share of school district and county-level taxes will be allocated.
Equalized values are also used to determine how general state aid, such as school aid, is distributed among municipalities and school districts.
The preliminary report allows municipalities to review the values before certification Aug. 15, although the DOR notes that figures “often change before they are certified.”
While equalized values are calculated annually and used to ensure fairness and equity in statewide property tax distribution, the report states that some changes will not necessarily result in higher tax bills.
“Changes in equalized value do not necessarily translate into a change in property taxes,” the agency said.
Local government officials and assessors statewide have until Thursday to review preliminary equalized values reports and inform the DOR of any inaccuracies.
