• You are expected to pay state taxes on property you own in Wisconsin.house image by hans slegers from Fotolia.com
  
  If you purchase real estate in Wisconsin, you will be expected to pay state property taxes on the value of the property. Real estate includes any land and buildings you may own. In addition, any personal property that you own that has a marketable value may also be taxed. Some things are excluded from the property tax, such as vehicles, computers and livestock.
  
  

Tax Rate

• Property tax rates are determined by the municipality based on how much revenue they need to bring in. The value of your property is multiplied by the tax rate to determine the tax that you will owe on the property. Property tax money is then distributed at the city, county and state level.
  
  

Property Value

• The value of the property or assessment is the value at which the property could be reasonably sold. If the land has not been developed, the assessment is valued at 50 percent of the real value of the property. Property assessments are done by individuals who have been certified by the Department of Revenue.
  
  

Appeals

• If you disagree with the assessed value of your home, you may file and present an appeal to a Board of Review. The Board of Review is conducted by the municipality where you live. You should have evidence of similar properties holding a different value.
  
  

Tax Refund

• If you were taxed illegally, you may file for a refund with your municipality. Illegal or unlawful taxes would include a clerical or computational error in determining the tax, taxing exempt property or taxing property located in a different municipality.
  
  

Tax Credit and Deferral

• The State of Wisconsin offers a Homestead Credit to help offset property taxes. This credit is available to individuals with lower income and is open to both owners and renters.
  
  The Property Tax Deferral Loan Program is a loan program available to individuals 65 years of age or older who has $20,000 per year or less in income. The loan can be used to by individuals to pay property taxes so that they do not lose their home. Loans are available up to $2,500.