Does a Higher Assessment Mean Higher Taxes?

Not necessarily, and this is why.

Dodge County Treasurer, Kris Keith, says taxpayers with higher 2026 assessments are calling the Treasurer’s Office worried about how much their December tax bill will go up. “Many municipalities are doing revaluations, and taxpayers are getting a Notice of Changed Assessment in their mailbox”, she says.

Although 2026 tax bills cannot be created until late November, after the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (WDOR) releases some final numbers, Keith reminds taxpayers that in a revaluation year, assessed values increase uniformly across all property in a municipality, creating a greater overall property value base to spread taxes across. So, when that assessment change notice arrives, that does not necessarily mean higher taxes but does mean every taxpayer will pay their “fair share” of taxes.

Revaluation happens when a municipality’s assessment ratio (assessed value divided by market value) is outside the statutory range of 90%-110% and WDOR requires a revaluation be done. A revaluation is necessary to bring assessments back in line with market values and ensure uniformity and fair apportionment of taxes. Often, tax increases happen when municipality, school district, technical college, or county levies increase.

Keith tells taxpayers that “we have some excellent information about property assessments, revaluations and property taxes” on the Treasurer's Taxpayers webpage.