Milwaukee County Property Tax Appeal — Wisconsin

Rob Hartley·Updated February 16, 2026

Milwaukee County is home to the City of Milwaukee, established in 1846 and home to nearly 600,000 residents, built on water with over 10 miles of lakefront shoreline. Milwaukee County is Wisconsin's largest county by population and sits on the western shore of Lake Michigan, a little less than 100 miles north of Chicago. It also has some of the highest property tax rates in Wisconsin. With a median home value of $232,500 and a median property tax bill of $4,210, Milwaukee County has an effective tax rate of 1.81%, which is more than double the national average of 0.89% and significantly above the Wisconsin state median of 1.58%.

Notable cities: Milwaukee, West Allis, Wauwatosa, Greenfield, Oak Creek

Median Home

$232,500

Tax Rate

1.81%

Annual Tax

$4,210

Population

Nearly 1 million

2026 Appeal Deadline: The third Monday in May

Each year the deadline to appeal your assessment is 4:45PM on the third Monday in May. When you receive your tax bill in December, it is too late to file an objection

Property in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Milwaukee County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: City of Milwaukee Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Spring each year, typically reaching mailboxes by the middle of May

In Wisconsin, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning the assessed value equals the estimated fair market value. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill. For example, if your home's market value in Milwaukee County is $232,500, at Wisconsin's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $232,500 (minus any exemptions), resulting in approximately $4,210 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.81%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Review. The City of Milwaukee Board of Review is an independent board of citizens appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council to hear assessment objections. The Board will hear detailed arguments and evidence, including all relevant information and explanations of factors that should have been considered during assessment

During Open Book period (April 20-May 18, 2026, from 8:00 am-4:45 pm, Monday-Friday), call and talk with an appraiser about your assessment

Obtain and complete the property-specific appeal form online or by contacting the assessor's office. Forms must be filled out in full with telephone number and/or email address

Submit your appeal form by the third Monday in May deadline. Supporting evidence may be submitted after the appeals deadline

An assessor will be assigned to review your appeal and may inspect your property. After review, the assessor recommends a value to the Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors reviews all appeals and makes necessary changes to arrive at market value. You will receive written notice of their determination

If you disagree with the Board of Assessors' determination, you may request a Board of Review hearing

If unsatisfied with Board of Review, you may appeal to circuit court within 90 days or to Wisconsin Department of Revenue under different procedures

Required form: Property-specific form that can be filled out online, or will be emailed or mailed to you

Filing Methods

online:Property-specific form can be filled out online

mail:Forms can be emailed or mailed to you by the assessor's office, must be returned by the third Monday in May

in-person:City of Milwaukee Assessor's Office, 200 E. Wells Street, Room 507, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Evidence to Bring

Recent appraisal representative of market conditions as of January 1Market analysis from a local real estate agent representative of market conditions as of January 1Photos of interior or exterior showing deferred maintenance as of January 1Comparable sales dataCost to cure property deficiencyIncome and expense statements (Form PR-323 required for commercial properties)

Milwaukee County Assessor Contact

City of Milwaukee Assessor's Office

Phone: General inquiries: (414) 286-3651, Property value questions: (414) 286-6565

Address: 200 E. Wells Street, Room 507, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Website: https://city.milwaukee.gov/assessor

Online Portal: https://assessments.milwaukee.gov

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:45pm

Tax Exemptions in Milwaukee County

Homestead Credit

Credit depends on interaction of household income and property taxes, with formula including income threshold and maximum property taxes

Directs property tax relief to low-income homeowners and renters. Relief is provided as a refundable credit which reduces individual income tax liability or provides a cash refund if the credit exceeds the liability

Eligibility: Maximum income is $24,680 from prior calendar year. Must be 18 years or older and Wisconsin resident for entire yearDeadline: April 15 of the year following the tax year

Lottery and Gaming Credit

Varies annually based on state funding

State-funded credit that reduces property taxes on primary residences

Eligibility: Must own the home as of January 1 and use it as primary residenceDeadline: January 31

Property Tax Deferral Loan Program

Defers payment of property taxes

For senior homeowners to defer property tax payments

Eligibility: Senior homeowners (age 65+)Deadline: Contact WHEDA for details

Tax Exemption for Qualifying Organizations

Full exemption if approved

Organizations' tax-exempt status does not automatically make their property exempt. Thorough review of exemption requests and documentation required

Eligibility: Must complete Form PR-230 when initially applying for exemptionDeadline: March 1 for the year the exemption is sought (March 2, 2026 since March 1 falls on Sunday)

Official Resources

City of Milwaukee Assessor's Office →

Official website for property assessments, appeals, exemptions, and forms

Milwaukee Property Search Tool →

Look up assessed values for all properties in Milwaukee

Wisconsin Department of Revenue Property Tax Resources →

State resources for property tax exemptions and appeal guidance

Wisconsin Homestead Credit Application →

Instructions and forms for claiming the Homestead Credit for property tax relief

Check Your Milwaukee County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Milwaukee County property is overassessed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Milwaukee County?

The deadline to appeal your property tax assessment in Milwaukee County is the third Monday in May at 4:45 PM. When you receive your tax bill in December, it is too late to file an objection. For 2026, property owners will have the opportunity to appeal their values starting mid-April, 2026. While the appeals form is due by the third Monday in May, supporting evidence may be submitted after the appeals deadline. It's important to mark your calendar early in the year to ensure you don't miss this critical deadline.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Milwaukee County online?

To file an appeal online, you need a property-specific form that can be filled out online through the assessor's office. You can send an email to assessor@https://milwaukee.gov requesting an objection form, making sure to provide the property address and the property tax parcel number. Forms must be filled out in full and include a telephone number and/or email address. You can also look up all assessed values of all properties at https://assessments.milwaukee.gov. The online system makes it convenient to file your appeal without visiting the office in person.

What happens during the Open Book period in Milwaukee County?

Open Book will be held April 20-May 18, 2026, from 8:00 am-4:45 pm, Monday-Friday. During this period, you are encouraged to call and talk with an appraiser about your assessment. Open Book refers to a period of time when the completed assessment roll is open for examination and is an opportunity to discuss your property value with the assessor and provide reason for changing the value, if appropriate. Sometimes, a telephone call and/or an informal discussion with the Assessor may help you understand your assessment and no further action may be required. This is your chance to resolve concerns informally before filing a formal appeal.

What evidence do I need for a Milwaukee County property tax appeal?

It is recommended that evidence be submitted with all appeals. Strong evidence includes a recent appraisal representative of market conditions as of January 1 of the current year, a market analysis from a local real estate agent, and photos of the interior or exterior showing deferred maintenance areas. The assessor may also consider comparable sales, cost to cure a property deficiency, actual construction cost statements, operating statements, vacancy rates, and income and expense statements. For commercial properties, Wisconsin DOR form PR-323 is required, and if you have not submitted this income and expense statement, you may be prohibited from testifying before the Board of Review.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Milwaukee County?

The Homestead Credit in Wisconsin directs property tax relief to low-income homeowners and renters through a refundable credit which reduces individual income tax liability or provides a cash refund if the credit exceeds the liability. The amount of the credit received by claimants depends on the interaction of household income and allowable property taxes or rent, with the formula including the income threshold, maximum income level and maximum property taxes. To qualify, your household income must be less than $24,680 from the prior calendar year. The deadline for filing a Homestead Credit Claim is April 15 of the year following the tax year. This credit can provide significant relief for qualifying low-income homeowners struggling with property tax burdens.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Milwaukee County?

The potential savings from a successful property tax appeal in Milwaukee County can be substantial given the county's high property tax rates. With a median property tax bill of $4,210 on homes valued at $232,500 and an effective tax rate of 1.81%, even a modest 10% reduction in assessed value could save homeowners over $400 annually. When assessments are inaccurate or inflated, property owners can face excessive tax burdens, and appeals help ensure fair and accurate valuations. The actual savings will depend on the evidence you provide and how much your property was overassessed. Many property owners find that gathering strong evidence like recent appraisals or comparable sales data significantly improves their chances of a successful appeal.

What happens at a Board of Review hearing in Milwaukee County?

The City of Milwaukee Board of Review is an independent board of citizens appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council to hear assessment objections. If issues cannot be resolved during the open book period, property owners have the right to appeal their assessments before the Board of Review, which is an administrative body that hears appeals and makes determinations on property tax disputes. During the hearing, attorneys or property owners will present detailed arguments and evidence to the Board, including organizing all relevant information and explaining the factors that should have been considered during an assessment. If you're not satisfied with the Board's decision, you can appeal to circuit court within 90 days, and the court's decision is based solely on the evidentiary record that was presented to the Board of Review.

Do I need to appear in person for my Milwaukee County property tax appeal?

After you file your appeal, it will be assigned to an assessor from the office who will need to inspect your property to properly review the assessment. During the inspection, you can provide any information you feel will be helpful. The Board of Assessors reviews all appeals and makes necessary changes to arrive at market value, and will send a written notice of their determination. Only if you do not agree with the Board of Assessor's determination would you need to request a Board of Review hearing. The property owner cannot appeal to the circuit court or to Wisconsin Department of Revenue unless the property owner first appears before the Board of Review. Many appeals are resolved at the Board of Assessors level without requiring a formal hearing appearance.

For state-wide appeal information including Wisconsin's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Wisconsin Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Wisconsin Counties

Dane County (Madison)Waukesha County (Waukesha)

← All Wisconsin property tax appeal info

Sources: https://city.milwaukee.gov/assessor | https://city.milwaukee.gov/assessor/RealProperty/AnnualInfo | https://city.milwaukee.gov/assessor/AppealsandAssistance676/AppealinganAssessmen846 | https://smartasset.com/taxes/wisconsin-property-tax-calculator | https://www.badgerinstitute.org/numbers/effective-property-tax-rates-in-wisconsins-largest-counties/ | https://revenue.wi.gov/dor%20publications/pb060.pdf

Last verified: 2026-02-16