The Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s Data at Your Fingertips
We live in an age where data is crucial for informed decision- making. Leveraging the power of technology, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) has created a suite of interactive tools and comprehensive reports that provide valuable insights to state and local leaders, as well as the general public. This commitment to transparency empowers Wisconsinites to engage with the numbers that shape their communities – the first step in building a better Wisconsin. Unlocking Local Government Insights DOR’s Division of State and Local Finance (SLF) provides a variety of comprehensive data that can assist local governments and the public. The data represents information from different levels of government on subjects including property data (values, taxes, sales), financial data (aids, credits, tax incremental finance, debt), and other local government statistics (ratios, compliance, apportionments). The information is not only accessible but easy to understand. The DOR website serves as a robust portal for a wealth of data, with dedicated sections for assessors, municipal officials, and county officials. Important resources such as fact sheets, reports, and common questions are organized by role. This ensures those who work directly with the data have the resources they need. A Navigating the Website tutorial helps users find what they’re looking for, removing barriers to access and promoting a deeper understanding of the data. DOR’s Research and Policy Division provides detailed interactive data visualizations on a wide range of topics, including the local government dashboard. This dashboard provides a snapshot of local government finances, allowing users to compare municipalities, analyze trends over time, and understand how various factors, such as shared revenue and tax levies, impact their local government’s budget. It’s an indispensable resource for gauging a community’s financial health. The additional visualizations transform raw data into easy-to-understand charts and maps, revealing trends and comparisons. For instance, visualizations on shared revenue illustrate how state aid is distributed to local governments, while those on assessed and equalized property values and net new construction offer insights into a community’s tax base and development activity. This visual approach helps clarify complex financial concepts, allowing users to understand the correlation between state policy and local outcomes.
Comprehensive Data for Informed Decisions
While interactive tools are invaluable for quick analysis, DOR also provides extensive, static reports for those who want to take a deeper dive. Data is organized alphabetically by subject, covering everything from municipal revenues and expenditures to property sales to tax incremental financing (TIF) districts. Reports are typically updated annually to ensure accuracy. The data is available in both a static, easy-to-view format and an interactive format (e.g., Microsoft Excel), which allows for a more thorough analysis. This comprehensive information empowers citizens and local government officials to ask better questions and make more informed decisions. For example, a resident concerned about their property taxes can see how their city’s tax rate compares to neighboring communities, while a municipal official can use net new construction data to gauge the success of a development plan or to identify areas for future growth. The ability to access data on town, village, and city taxes allows for a clear understanding of where tax dollars are going and how the tax burden is distributed, which leads to a more informed To ensure the public stays connected and informed, DOR offers several communication channels. You can subscribe to DOR E-News to receive notifications when new data and reports are available, choosing the list(s) you are most interested in (e.g., municipal clerks, assessors). If you do not see a list that fits your needs, you can email the SLF division directly at slf@wisconsin.gov. If you have additional questions, visit DOR’s Contact Us page (under “Governments”) to view contact information by topic and office location. By making this extensive data easily available and understandable, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue is fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry, strengthening local governance, and supporting data-driven decision making. and engaged public. Stay Connected
Cari Redington , Administrator, Division of Research and Policy, Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Contact Cari at cari.redington@wisconsin.gov
The Municipality - October 2025 | 15
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