Taxation FAQ 2

Is property which is classified on January 1 as tax exempt, but which is subsequently sold to a taxable entity later in that year, subject to taxation in the year in which the transfer took place?

No. Property which is classified on January 1 as tax exempt, but which is subsequently sold to a taxable entity later in the year may not be assessed for property tax purposes for that calendar year. This is true even though the new owner may hold title to the property for the greater part of the year. Under Wis. Stat. sec. 70.10, the assessor must assess all real property as of the close of January 1. A transfer after that date does not affect the taxable status of that property for the remainder of the year. There is no mechanism under state law to prorate property taxes in the year in which the tax status of the property is altered (i.e., from exempt status to nonexempt status, or vice versa.) Consequently, if property is determined to be exempt from property taxes on January 1, it remains exempt from real estate taxes for the remainder of the year, regardless of whether the property has been sold to a taxable entity.