FAQs

What is the Open Book process?: Open Book is the period of time, just after the Assessor has completed the annual Assessment Roll. In Sun Prairie it is after the Assessment Change Notices have been mailed.

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Assessor

2. How does the assessment process work?: The law requires that the Assessor assess all property not exempt by law, which has any real or marketable value as of January 1st of each year. For more information please visit our Assessment Process page.

3. What is the tax rate or mill rate?: The local tax rate (also known as mill rate) is determined by dividing the tax levy by the tax base and is often expressed in terms of dollars of tax per $1,000 of value.

4. Isn't the assessment supposed to be less than that I paid for the property?: Assessed values must closely reflect actual market value following a revaluation. In non-revaluation years, assessments typically reflect a percent of market value due to changing market conditions. Please visit our Law Requirements page for more information.

5. I recently bought my property and it was assessed at that time. Why do you need to assess it again?: Most likely it was appraised for your lender not assessed by our department. However, we do request to inspect all new sales. We do this to verify our records and to gather pertinent information regarding the sale. This typically is done several months after the actual sale. Please contact us at 608-825-1186 for more information.

6. Why does the Assessor conduct property inspections?: Inspections help us to effectively maintain up to date property record data. The state requires that valuations be based on actually viewing the property or from the best information available. Please call us at 608-825-1186 for more information.

The Assessor’s staff conducts 4 types of inspections:

Call 608-825-1186 for more information.

8. Can I request a review of my property for next year?: See our Forms section to print a Request for Review form. It must be submitted to our office by December 1st.

Contact the Assessor’s Office at 608-825-1186.
If your question cannot immediately be answered you will be directed to the appraiser for your area. If you have recently received an Assessment Change Notice, we encourage you to contact our office to make an appointment to meet with the appraiser during Open Book.
Meet with the appraiser during Open Book.

10. Why did my assessment change when I haven't done anything to my home?: General economic conditions, such as interest rates, inflation, supply and demand, and changes in tax laws, will influence the market value of real estate. As property values change in the market place, those changes must be reflected on the Assessment Roll on an annual basis. Consequently, assessed values can go up or down even if you have made no changes to your property. Please call 608-825-1186 for more information.

11. My assessment changed how will that affect my taxes?: Though the assessed value of your property affects your share of taxes, the actual amount you pay is determined by the budget needs of the schools, city, county, technical college and state reforestation. All of these taxing bodies decide their budget needs based on services to be provided to the community. Therefore until the budget needs for all the taxing bodies are determined, the effect on your taxes cannot immediately be established. Please call 608-825-1186 for more information.

12. Why does the Assessment Change Notice say I made improvements to my property when I haven't made any changes?: For assessing purposes, improvements refer to building improvements (permanent structures) on the land. Land and buildings are assessed separately and then added together to determine the property’s total assessment. Feel free to call 608-825-1186 for more information.

13. What is the Open Book process?: Open Book is the period of time, just after the Assessor has completed the annual Assessment Roll. In Sun Prairie it is after the Assessment Change Notices have been mailed.

14. My neighbor received an Assessment Change Notice but I didn't, why not?: We only send out Assessment Change Notices to property owners if the assessment has changed from the prior year.

15. How do I object to my assessment?: You will need to file an objection with the City Clerk to appear before the Board of Review.

16. What is the Board of Review? How does it function?: The Board of Review is a quasi-judicial body that hears formal Objections to property assessments.

17. What evidence should I present to the Board of Review?: The board will consider recent arms-length sales of the subject property or reasonably comparable properties. If you intend to present an appraisal, the board will expect the appraiser to be available for testimony and you have received permission from the client named on the appraisal report. Keep in mind that the assessment date is always January 1st. Please visit our Assessment Objections page for more information about the evidence you should prepare.