Finance Department: Frequently Asked QuestionsGeneral Questions
What are your hours ?
Monday thru Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where are you located ?
In the City Hall Building, 3805 S. Casper Drive, New Berlin WI (1st Floor)
Who should I make my check payable to ?
Checks should be paid to the order of "City of New Berlin"
What forms of payment do you accept ?
Checks (including money orders, cashier and traveler's checks) or cash are acceptable payment methods. Neither debit cards or credit cards are accepted by the Treasurer, however, you may pay taxes online at www.officialpayments.com , or by phone at 1-888-2PAY-TAX. You will be asked to enter the City's jurisdiction code (5801), and your tax key number (found at the upper right hand corner of your tax bill) Please remember to wait for your confirmation / transaction number before you conclude your phone call or internet connection. This number will assist you should there be a problem with your payment. Please be aware that Official Payments charges a fee based on the amount you charge.
Property Tax Questions
Understanding Property Tax:
Administration of property tax bills and collection is according to Wisconsin State Statutes, Chapter 74. To view the statutes (Chapter 74) regarding property taxes, go to http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=WI:Default&d=stats&jd=74.03
The City Treasurer collects current real estate taxes from mid-December to July 31. After July 31, real estate tax records are turned over to the Waukesha County Treasurer, 1320 Pewaukee Rd, Rm 148, Waukesha WI 53188. The County Treasurer collects all delinquent real estate taxes from previous years. The City Treasurer does collect personal property taxes (business-related), current and delinquent, year round.
When am I going to get my tax bill ?
Every year, the bills are mailed on or about December 10th. Remember.....it is your responsibility to obtain and pay the tax bills on your property. The mailing of tax bills is for your convenience and according to Wisconsin Statutes, Section 74.09 (6), failure to receive a bill does not exempt any property owner from paying penalties in the event of late payment.
What is the tax rate (net assessed value rate) for 2009 ?
The City of New Berlin has 4 tax rates: New Berlin School District (NB)..16.7004 West Allis School District (WA)..17.2092, Elmbrook School District (EB). 16.9118 and Muskego School District (MS)..16.2852 (Your school district can be found on your tax bill on the upper right hand side... below your name, and above the Bill Number)
What is the amount of the 2009 lottery credit ?
New Berlin School District $80.00, West Allis School District $75.45, Elmbrook School District $81.30 and Muskego School District $83.32 What is the amount of the "First Dollar Credit"?
New Berlin School District $70.12, West Allis School District $66.13, Elmbrook School District $71.26 and the Muskego School District $73.03 What is my tax amount ? The amount billed can be viewed on the ASSESSOR'S page once the bill amount has been established. You can also call a member of the New Berlin Finance staff, or send an email to finance@newberlin.org and we will get the tax amount to you as soon as it becomes available (generally the 1st week of December).
How are my taxes determined ?
Total Assessed Value of Property (as of Jan 1 of tax year) X Tax Rate = Tax Bill
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. All of these tax units decide what services they will provide in the coming year and how much money they will need to provide those services. This amount is divided by the assessed value of all City property minus the school tax credit to arrive at the net tax rate. The tax rate is the rate that is necessary to raise sufficient money for the property tax to meet the levy. The levy is determined by totaling all expected sources of revenue such as state aids and shared revenues, license fees, etc. This amount is then subtracted from the estimated expenditure figure and the remainder must be raised from the property tax.
Where do my tax dollars go ?
Although your tax payments are made to the Treasurer, a large share of your tax dollars are turned over to other governmental units such as the schools, county, technical college, and the state. Taxes also pay for City services such as Public Safety, Public Works, Administration, Grant and Aid Projects, and Culture and Recreation. Changing Name & Address on Tax Bill How can I change the ownership name on the bill ?
Contact the County Register of Deeds, 1320 Pewaukee Rd, (262) 548-7589 How can I change my mailing address ?
Contact the City Assessor, 3805 S. Casper Dr. (262) 797-2465, or go to the ASSESSOR'S page on the City's webpage for an online address change form. Due Dates and Penalties
When is the tax bill due and do I have to pay the whole bill ?
There are two payment options after receiving your bill:
Full Payment Option:
BY JANUARY 31 - Pay the total amount of the tax due
Installment Option:
BY JANUARY 31 - Pay the amount of the first installment due
BY MARCH 31 - Pay the amount of the second installment due
BY MAY 31 - Pay the amount of the third installment due
If you choose to pay in installments, please remember:
The bill is divided into 3 installments. The due dates are Jan 31, Mar 31 and May 31. The amount of the installment due on your bill must be paid by the appropriate due date. If any portion of the installment is paid late, the ENTIRE balance of the real estate tax bill becomes delinquent, the installment plan nullified, and penalties accrue until paid in full.
If I choose the installment option, can I pay more than the installment amount due ?
Yes, anything over the amount of the installment due would be applied toward the next installment.
What determines a timely payment ?
To be considered a timely payment, your tax payment must be received by the City Treasurer on or before January 31st, March 31st, or May 31st or your mailing envelope must be postmarked no later than January 31st, March 31st or May 31st Do not depend on your mailed payment being postmarked on the day you deposit it in the US Mail.
What if I can't pay the amount due ?
If the full payment is not received by January 31st, or ANY installment is not paid by the appropriate due date, the total remaining unpaid balance of the bill is DELINQUENT. The unpaid balance will accrue penalties until it is paid in full. Wisconsin Statutes 74.12 (7)(8) www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/stats.html
How is penalty calculated ?
Delinquent real estate taxes are subject to interest of one percent (1%) and penalty of one-half percent (1/2%) per month or fraction of a month, computed back to February 1. If any installment is delinquent, the total remaining unpaid balance becomes delinquent. Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 74.47, 74.12 (10), 74.12 (7)(8) www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/stats.html
How to Make Payments
How do I make out my check and where do I send it ?
Make checks payable to, and mail to City of New Berlin, 3805 S. Casper Dr New Berlin WI 53151
Do I have to wait in a long line if I come in person to pay my taxes ?
As soon as the tax bills are mailed, we have very long lines of people waiting to pay. The last week of December, in particular, the wait can be from 10 to 20 minutes. We recommend either mailing your payment, or using the payment drop box located in the lower level parking lot.
What if I cannot mail the payment in time, or make it in person before you close ?
There is a drop box located outside the building on the lower level parking lot. Put your payment in an envelope marked "Treasurer" (please do not deposit cash) and place it in the drop box any time of the day or night. Payments received in the box prior to the due date are considered paid on time.
Do I need to endorse the back of my escrow check ?
If you are listed as the payee or co-payee on your escrow check, you must endorse the check. If more than one payee is listed, every payee listed must endorse the check.
What do I do if the escrow check from my mortgage company is not enough (or too much) to cover the amount due ?
If the check is not enough to pay the first installment, you are responsible to pay the difference by January 31. However, if it covers more than the first installment, the overage will reduce the amount of the second installment due March 31st, and (possibly) the amount of the third installment due May 31st. If the check is more than the total amount due, you will recieve a refund. (BY MAIL, approximately 2 weeks from date of payment) NO cash refunds are given.
Responsibilities of the Property Owner
I just got my real estate tax bill in the mail, what do I do now ?
You, the property owner are responsible for paying the bill. If you have a mortgage on your property, contact your lender for information on how payment from your escrow account is handled.
I am not sure if I am supposed to pay my property taxes, or if my mortgage company is paying them. How do I find out ?
If you do not know if you are to pay, or your mortgage company plans to , you should call your mortgage company.
I recently purchased this property. I thought the taxes were already paid. Why am I getting a bill ?
You should read your closing documents to determine if any portion or proration of the taxes were credited to you by the previous owner. You, the new owner, are responsible for any taxes.
Disagreeing with Property Taxes
Do I have any recourse if I disagree with this bill ?
No. Early in the year, the assessed value for the property is established by the Assessor, and the owner notified. At that time, the property owner may file an objection to their assessed value. However, the period for appealing has passed by the time the taxes are determined. For more information on assessment objection, visit the ASSESSOR'S page on the City's website.
Personal Property Taxes
What are personal property taxes ?
This type of tax usually pertains to a business. It is based on the assessed value of tangible items, for example, furniture and machinery. Wisconsin Statutes 70.04 www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/stats.html
Lottery Credit
How do I get the Lottery Credit ?
Contact the Waukesha County Treasurer, 1320 Pewaukee Rd, 262-548-7029, or, visit their website at http://www.waukeshacounty.gov, or the Department of Revenue at www.dor.state.wi.us/forms/lottery/index.html How do I apply for the Lottery Credit after the fact ?
Late Lottery and Gaming Credit applications can be found on the Department of Revenue website at http://www.revenue.wi.gov/forms/lottery/index.html . You can use the online fill-in form, or if preferred, print the form to hand print. Property Tax Programs
Are there any programs to help me with my property taxes ?
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue administers two programs to help people with their property taxes, the Homestead Tax Credit Program and the Property Tax Deferral Loan Program.
For information on the Homestead Tax Credit Program:
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8903 Madison, WI 53708-8903
(608) 266-8641
http://www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/ise/home.html
For information on the Property Tax Deferral Loan Program:
WHEDA (Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority)
1-800-755-7835 or in the Madison area 608-264-6855
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