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1. I bought a parcel of land in Douglas County. Why didn't I receive my tax statement?

First check to see if your deed was recorded with the Register of Deeds. If so, then check with the Real Property Lister to make sure the deed was accurate in terms of chain of title and legal description. Property tax records are not transferred unless the required information is correct. Register of Deeds

2. My spouse and I have divorced. Why does his/her name keep appearing on the assessment notices and tax bills?

The Real Property Lister is required to list the owners of real estate according to the recorded documents in the Register of Deeds office. If there was no type of documentation to change the ownership in the property (quit claim deed, divorce judgement, etc.), we do not have any way of changing the names. In this case, you may wish to check with the attorney handling the divorce about transferring the property.

3. My spouse has passed away, but the assessment notice and tax bill still shows the name. How can I get their name removed?

It depends on how the title to the property was held. If the property was held in joint tenancy or survivorship marital property, you can file a Termination of Decedent's Interest form with the Register of Deeds office. If the property was not titled this way, you may wish to contact an attorney to help transfer the property, especially if the property needs to go through probate.

4. I don't believe my property assessment is correct. Can you change it?

The Real Property Lister is required to maintain the values established by the assessor for your municipality. If you do not agree with your values, you should first contact your assessor to discuss it.

5. I get several tax bills for adjacent parcels of land. Is there any way to combine them?

If you would like the properties to be assessed together, you may contact the assessor for your municipality. If the properties are assessed together, you will get one assessment notice and one tax bill, but the properties will continue to be listed individually in the assessment roll. If you want the real estate parcels combined to create one assessment parcel, please contact the Real Property Lister so they may review the parcels.

6. We just bought a brand new lot this year, but the tax bill came in the previous owner's name. Why didn't you update this?

When new lots or parcels are created during the year, new parcel numbers are assigned. However, the thing to keep in mind is that assessments are based on how the property existed on January 1 of the given year. How the property existed on January 1 is how the tax bill will be printed at the end of the year. If a new Plat, CSM (certified survey map), or deed creates new parcels during the year, those parcels will not be assessable and taxable until the following year. What can you do to receive your tax bill? Contact the treasurer for your municipality, who is authorized by statute to split the tax bill for you upon your request. PLEASE NOTE: Some counties process splitting of tax bills differently. Check with your county's Real Property Lister for information.