February 27, 2024

To: County Treasurers, Real Property Listers

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR), State and Local Finance Division would like to remind you of the upcoming 2023 XML Tax Roll Filing deadline on March 15, 2024 (sec. 59.25(3)(e), Wis. Stats.).

Filing Information

• Due date – March 15, 2024
• Review the XML schema and other relevant data – Assessment and Tax Roll Electronic File Transmissions
• 2024 specific information (including sample files and file definitions) – 2024 Assessment and Tax Roll Electronic File Transmissions

Filing Reminders/Tips

• Include a full and accurate zip code:
  • If zip codes are missing, we can't properly respond to tax lookups for those addresses
  • If possible, verify your addresses are using USPS standard format – check addresses on the USPS website
• Report all:
  • Properties – including tax exempt and municipal owned properties. If properties are missing, DOR can't properly perform tax lookups for those addresses, which affects our ability to identify other nearby addresses.
  • Addresses for a parcel – including when a parcel has multiple buildings, multiple units or multiple entrances with separate addresses
• Important:
  • Only include characters or words in an address you would include when sending mail to that address (do not include extra symbols like + @ % $)
    • Correct: 123 S MAIN ST
    • Incorrect: 123 + S Main ST
  • Report multiple addresses, such as townhomes, as three separate address entries (do not use a range)

    Correct:

    • 1012 Main St
    • 1014 Main St
    • 1016 Main St

    Incorrect:

    • "1012 – 1016" Main St
    • "1012 – 16" Main St
    • "1012 – 14 – 16" Main St
    • "1012,1014,1016" Main St

Why is Accurate Filing Important?

• Property assessment and tax rolls are vital components to a fair and accurate property tax process
• DOR uses property tax information to maintain a street address database and sales tax rate lookup
• Determining the proper jurisdiction and tax rate for sales and use tax purposes is important (ex: when goods are delivered to a particular street address in a taxable county or city)
• DOR worked with county and municipal officials to create a standard set of assessment and tax roll data to ensure efficient government and simplify the exchange of information
  • Standard format is Extensible Markup Language (XML), which is the prescribed form for electronically submitting files from local governments to DOR
  • Fewer errors because data is streamlined

Questions?

Contact us at otas@wisconsin.gov.