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Finance

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1. When am I going to get my tax bill?

Every year, the bills are mailed on or about December 10. 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.

2. What is my tax amount?

You can also contact the Finance Department at (262) 797-2448, and we will get the tax amount to you as soon as it becomes available (generally the first week of December). The amount billed can also be viewed on the following webpage once the bill amount has been established. Property Assessments and Tax Information

3. What is the Tax Rate (net assessed value rate) for 2022

The City of New Berlin has 4 tax rates: 

• New Berlin School District (NB) 15.6290
• West Allis School District (WA) 16.0481
• Elmbrook School District (EB) 16.3910
• Muskego School District (MS) 14.2252

Your school district can be found on the tax bill on the upper right hand side below your name, and above the bill number

4. What is the amount of the 2022 First Dollar Credit?

The amount of the First Dollar Credit is:

• Elmbrook School District - $63.52
• Muskego School District - $53.32
• New Berlin School District - $58.53
• West Allis School District - $55.90

5. What is the amount of the 2022 Lottery Credit

• New Berlin School District - $192.11
• West Allis School District - $183.50
• Elmbrook School District - $208.50
• Muskego School District - $175.01

6. What forms of payment do you accept?

Checks (including money orders, cashier, and traveler's checks) and cash are acceptable payment methods. Neither debit cards or credit cards are accepted by the treasurer; however, you may pay taxes online or by phone at (888) 2PAY-TAX. You will be asked to enter the city's jurisdiction code (5801) and your tax key number (found on 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. Official Payments

7. 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.

8. To whom should I sign checks?

Checks should be paid to the City of New Berlin.

9. Who is in charge of collecting taxes?

Administration of property tax bills and collection is according to Wisconsin State Statutes, Chapter 74. 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, who collects all delinquent real estate taxes from previous years. The city treasurer collects personal property taxes (business-related), current and delinquent, year round. Wisconsin State Statutes Chapter 74

10. How are my taxes determined?

The assessor multiplies the total assessed value of property as of January 1 of the tax year by the tax rate to get your 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.

11. How can I change the ownership name on the bill?

Contact the county register of deeds at:
1320 Pewaukee Rd.
Waukesha, WI 53188
Ph: (262) 548-7589

12. How can I change my mailing address?

Contact the city assessor at:
3805 S. Casper Dr.
New Berlin, WI 53151
Ph: (262) 797-2465

You can also complete a change of mailing address form. 

13. When is the tax bill due? Do I have to pay the whole bill ?

There are two payment options after receiving your bill. You can pay the bill in full by January 31, or pay in three installments on January 31, March 31, and May 31. If you choose to pay in installments, please remember that 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 is nullified, and penalties accrue until paid in full.

14. If I choose the installment option, can I pay more than the installment amount due?

Yes. Anything over the amount of the installment due will be applied toward the next installment.

15. 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 31, March 31, or May 31, or your mailing envelope must be postmarked no later than January 31, March 31, or May 31. Do not depend on your mailed payment being postmarked on the day you deposit it in the mail.

16. What if I can't pay the amount due?

If the full payment is not received by January 31, or if 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.

17. How is penalty calculated?

Delinquent real estate taxes are subject to interest of 1% and a penalty of 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.

18. 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. During the last week of December, in particular, the wait can be 10-20 minutes. We recommend either mailing your payment or using the payment drop box located in the lower level parking lot.

19. What if I cannot mail the payment in time or make it in person before you close?

There is a drop box located outside City Hall on the lower level parking lot. Put your payment in an envelope marked "Treasurer" 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. Please do not place cash in the drop box. City Hall is located at:
3805 S. Casper Dr.
New Berlin, WI 53151

20. 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.

21. 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 for paying 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 on March 31, and (possibly) the amount of the third installment due on May 31. If the check is more than the total amount due, you will receive a refund by mail approximately two weeks from the date of payment. No cash refunds are given.

22. I just got my real estate tax bill in the mail. What do I do now?

You as 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.

23. 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 or your mortgage company is paying your taxes, you should call your mortgage company.

24. 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.

25. 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 is 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. Reassessment Information

26. 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.

27. How do I get the lottery credit?

To get the lottery credit, contact the Waukesha County Treasurer at:
1320 Pewaukee Rd.
Waukesha, WI 53188 WAUKESHA COUNTY TREASURER

28. How do I apply for the lottery credit after the fact?

Late lottery and gaming credit applications can be found on the following website. Department of Revenue

29. 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, contact the Department of Revenue at:
P.O. Box 8903
Madison, WI 53708
Ph: (608) 266-8641

For information on the Property Tax Deferral Loan Program, contact the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority at (800) 755-7835 or (608) 264-6855.