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1. Who is the Village's Assessor?

The Village contracts with Accurate Appraisal for all assessment services. All notices from Accurate Appraisal should contain their logo:

If you are unsure if a letter/document received is legitimate, please contact Accurate Appraisal directly at 800-770-3927 or the Village Administration office at 608-838-3153.

2. How does the Village do assessments for property within the Village?

The Village conducts full value maintenance. This means that every property has their assessed value reviewed annually and potentially changed based on market conditions. This ensures that the village maintains 100% value each year and stays up on current market conditions. This means every property has their property value looked at annually and adjusted for market conditions.

3. Does an increase in my assessed value mean my taxes will increase?

Not necessarily. There two components that drive your tax bill: your assessed value and how much each taxing jurisdiction imposes. Essentially assessed value tells us how to distribute the taxes. If everyone’s assessed value goes up 3%, and the amount of taxes imposed by each jurisdiction stays the same, everyone’s taxes remain the same.

Example Number 1

In 2017 the Village of Sparta has three houses does their full value maintenance and assessed value are as follows:

• House Number 1 - Assessed Value $100,000
• House Number 2 - Assessed Value $100,000
• House Number 3 - Assessed Value $100,000

If the Village of Sparta’s tax levy for the year is $300, here is what the property taxes look like on those same three houses:

• House Number 1 - Assessed Value $100,000 - Taxes $100
• House Number 2 - Assessed Value $100,000 - Taxes $100
• House Number 3 - Assessed Value $100,000 - Taxes $100

This breaks down as follows:

• Total Value: $300,000
• Total Taxes imposed on Sparta: $300
• Tax Rate: $300 divided by $30,0000 equals 0.001 per thousand
• 0.001 multiplied by 10,0000 equals $100 taxes owed

Example Number 2

In 2018, the Village of Sparta does their full value maintenance and assessed value go up as follows:

• House Number 1 - Assessed Value $100,000
• House Number 2 - Assessed Value $100,000
• House Number 3 - Assessed Value $120,000

If the Village of Sparta’s tax levy for the year is again $300, here is what the property taxes look like on those same three houses:

• House Number 1 - Assessed Value $100,000 - Taxes $93.75
• House Number 2 - Assessed Value $100,000 - Taxes $93.75
• House Number 3 - Assessed Value $120,000 - Taxes $112.50

This breaks down as follows:

• Total Value: $320,000
• Total Taxes imposed on Sparta: $300
• Tax Rate: $300 divided by 320,000 equals 0.0009375

Important Points

The example illustrates two important points:

• How your property tax assessment went up in relation to your neighbors is very important. If the average property value in the village went up 10% and yours only went up 1%, it is likely that your share of property taxes will decrease.
• How much each taxing jurisdiction levies is very important. Each year your tax bill breaks down how much of your tax bill goes to each jurisdiction. Additionally it tells you the percentage it increased or decreased from last year.

4. Does the Village get to impose more taxes if my assessed value increases?

No. In 2010 the State of Wisconsin set limits on the amounts taxing jurisdictions can impose each year. Currently those limits restrict taxing jurisdictions ability to increases taxes to the percentage of net new construction. This includes new houses and building projects that added completely new value to the Village. There are exceptions to the levy limit that include new debt service, annexations, and a variety of other exceptions. The full list of exceptions can be found in Wisconsin State Statute 66.0602(3).

5. Does the Village have to notify me if they change my assessment?

Yes. State Statute requires property owners be sent a notice indicating any changes in property value.

6. I received a sales questionnaire from Accurate Appraisal. Is this legitimate?

Yes. The Village’s contracted Assessor, Accurate Appraisal, sends a sales questionnaire to recent sales of residential properties. Additionally for the sale of commercial property, they will send a questionnaire to both the buyer and seller; view an Example Sales Questionnaire Letter (DOC). If you have questions about the questionnaire, or want to verify the letter is legitimate, contact Accurate Appraisal directly at 800-770-3927.

7. Is there any way to know how much my tax bill increased due to a referendum?

Yes. Each tax bill includes a section on the additional taxes, and how long the referendum will be on the taxes.

8. What should I do to make sure I understand my assessment and that it is correct?

The Village recommends each and every resident review their notice of assessed value every year in the Spring. If you have any questions about your assessment, or want to understand how it was calculated, make an appointment to sit down with the assessor at Open Book. Each year the Village holds two days in which the assessor is available to sit down with you and review your assessment. This is also your informal opportunity to dispute your assessment or review the assessment for errors. The assessor can correct your value at Open Book. Your change of assessment notice will contain information on making an appointment.

If you have any questions about this process, contact the Clerk/Treasurer at 608-838-3153. If, after Open Book, you still do not agree with your assessment, you will want to schedule a hearing to appear before the Board of Review to present your case.

9. Why did my improved value increase on my assessment if I did not build anything or do any improvements to my home?

Your assessed value is comprised of two parts, land value and improvement value. The land value refers to the value of the land, and the improvement value refers to an improvements or structures on the property such as a house or a shed. So an increase in your improvement value often means market conditions have indicated those improvements, such as your house, are now worth more.