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Drone view of a brownfield housing development on the edge of an East Anglian village.
Drone view of a brownfield housing development on the edge of an East Anglian village. A water tower in the distant supplies water to the sprawling village.

In a recent decision, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals addressed the obligations of property owners when contesting property tax assessments, specifically regarding the requirement to provide income and expense information to assessors. The case, Middleton Westbrook Property Owner LLC, et al. v. Village of Menomonee Falls Board of Review, clarifies the statutory duties of property owners related to their obligation to turnover financial information and the consequences of failing to comply.
Case Background
Middleton Westbrook Property Owner LLC…
Continue Reading Wisconsin Tax Appeals: Must Owners Disclose Financial Data?

The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison. Welcome to the July issue of the Capitol Connection.

 In this issue:

  • Governor Tony Evers Signs 2025–2027 Wisconsin Biennial Budget into Law
  • K-12 Education and Child Care
  • UW System and Technical Colleges
  • Tax Relief for Household Affordability
  • Investments in Tourism Industry
  • Health care and Public Health
  • Transportation and Infrastructure Development
  • Support for Veterans and Military Families
  • Agriculture, Conservation, and Clean

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Continue Reading Capitol Connection, July 2025

The TCJA and Estate Taxes could be up in the air depending on the presidential election outcome. With the 2024 election looming, uncertainty hangs over the fate of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. This landmark legislation included a significant increase in the estate tax exemption, allowing individuals to transfer much larger sums to heirs without incurring federal estate tax. However, some key provisions of the TCJA, including the high estate tax exemption, are set to

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Continue Reading The TCJA and Estate Taxes- Start Preparing Now

As the demand for renewable energy sources continues to grow worldwide, landowners and developers have realized the potential in harnessing the power of solar and wind energy in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is well known for having large swaths of flat, open land, often used for traditional farming activities. Such topography is perfect for energy companies looking to expand their generating capacity, often paying landowners a premium for the use of such land.  

Leasing and easement arrangements are the essential methods…
Continue Reading Solar and Wind Lease Agreements

Commercial property owners across Wisconsin have seen declines in revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wisconsin property tax assessors are required to take revenues and expenses into account when valuing commercial property using the income method of valuation. Property owners should expect to receive their notices of assessment in the mail beginning this spring. But whether these assessments will accurately reflect the decline in value for commercial property as a result of the pandemic is an open…
Continue Reading As Commercial Property Values Fall, Property Owners Should Prepare to Appeal Their Property Tax Assessments

Owners of hotels and others in the hospitality industry have been some of the hardest hit by COVID-19. Relief has been few and far between for many.  On the one hand, they might be fighting business interruption claims because of the downturn in their business, and on the other hand, they are paying the same, if not more in property taxes at a time when their occupancy and customer traffic are at an all-time low.

The business climate makes…
Continue Reading Hotel Tax Assessment Appeals: Be Ready for the Assessor Early