Resolution To Create Legislation Changing Property Tax Assessment And Valuation for Large Commercial Retailers

The current law in Wisconsin allows large retail stores, commonly known as big-box stores, to use tax avoidance strategies to significantly reduce the assessed value and property tax of such properties.  Homeowners in Wisconsin already pay 70% of the total statewide property tax levy.  The current loophole, commonly referred to as the “Dark Store Loophole,” results in shifting a greater property tax burden from commercial establishments to residential homeowners. 

Over the last several months, municipal, county, city, and town officials have been in contact with state legislators testifying against the Dark Store tax loophole in order to avoid a property tax burden shift to other tax paying entities such as residential homeowners and other businesses and/or cuts in essential services provided by an affected municipality.

The Sauk County Board of Supervisors, by this resolution, urges the state legislature to enact legislation amending the current law on how the property tax assessment and valuation for large commercial retailers is determined, so as to remove the Dark Store Loopholes.