Use-Value Conversion Charge Guidelines

​Sec. 74.485. Wis. Stats., specifies the charge for converting property that has been classified agricultural. Conversion Charges, previously known as penalties, were first reflected on the January 1, 2003 assessment roll by 2001 Wisconsin Act 109. 2007 Wisconsin Act 210 amended the notice of assessment and use-value conversion charge laws. The following amendments are effective January 1, 2008.

  • The penalty for converting agricultural land is now referred to as a Charge for converting agricultural land.
  • The Assessor must provide the property owner with a notice that a Conversion Charge may be due.
  • The Assessor must also provide the County Treasurer with all of the information that is necessary to compute the Conversion Charges.
  • Additional detail is provided within the Assessor section below.

Generally, converting the use of the property and having had the opportunity to challenge the Assessor's decision to reflect that change in classification on the following years' roll, precedes the County Treasurer's issuance of the Conversion Charge. (For conversions prior to calendar year 2002, contact the Supervisor of Equalization for your county.) The Department of Revenue (DOR) has prepared a listing of frequently asked questions (FAQ), which can be reviewed at Use-Value Conversion Charge FAQ's

NOTE: The use-value conversion charge is separate and not associated with the rezoning conversion fee. The rezoning conversion fee was included in the 2009-2011 state budget as part of the Wisconsin Working Lands Program administered by the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection - https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/FarmlandPreservation.aspx.

For the Property Owner

The owner of the property at the time the change in use took place, and the buyer, where a sale takes place, want to be able to make reasonable estimates of the Conversion Charge. This worksheet can be used by the property owner, the Assessor or the County Treasurer to project a Conversion Charge. Note: When the calculation is made, the dollar per acre Conversion Charge is calculated using the county averages for the county where the parcels are located. The "Use-Value Charge for Converting Agricultural Land s. 74.485" lists the conversion charges by county. A description of this procedure is the "Agricultural Use-Value Conversion Charge Worksheet."

Assessor Responsibilities

Sec. 70.365, Wis. Stats., requires the assessor to provide notice when the person assessed may be subject to a conversion charge under sec. 74.485, Wis. Stats.:

  • When to provide notice a person may be subject to a conversion charge:
    • If land assessed under sec. 70.32(2r), Wis. Stats., for the previous year is no longer eligible to be assessed under sec. 70.32(2r), Wis. Stats., and the current classification is not undeveloped, agricultural forest, productive forest land or other
    • At least 15 days before board of review or board of assessors
    • At least 30 days before the board of review or board of assessors in any year the municipality conducts a revaluation

  • What information to provide:
    • Notify the person assessed that the person may be subject to a conversion charge under sec. 74.485, Wis. Stats.

  • How the notice is provided:
    • In writing
    • By ordinary mail

  • DOR prescribed forms:
    • Agricultural Land Conversion Charge (PR-298)
    • Notice of Changed Assessment and Conversion Charge (PR-402)
    • The NOA (PR-301) and the Notice of Conversion Charge (PR-298) may be sent separately, or a combined Notice of Changed Assessment and Conversion Charge (PR-402) may be used to provide the assessment change and potential conversion charge. The PR-402 is an optional form combining the information from PR-301 and PR-298.

Under sec. 70.09(3), Wis. Stats., vendors, counties or assessors who do not use the state prescribed forms, must submit the proposed form to DOR for approval: bapdor@wisconsin.gov.

Under sec 74.485(8), Wis. Stats., the assessor must provide the county treasurer with all information necessary to compute the agricultural land conversion charges for all properties in the municipality no later than 15 days after the Board of Review has adjourned. The assessor must provide the county treasurer with the following information on an annual basis:

  • Assessor and municipal information
    • Assessor name and company name, if applicable
    • Complete assessor mailing address, phone number, fax number, and email
    • Name of municipality
    • Board of Review completion date
    • Date of submission
    • Assessor's signature

  • Land subject to a conversion charge:
    • Parcel number for all parcels listed in the municipality
    • Owner's name at time of conversion
    • Complete mailing address of the owner
    • Number of acres converted
    • Provide the current use (classification) of the acres previously devoted to agricultural use.

In the event there are no conversions subject to a conversion charge, the assessor enters "None" on the Agricultural Use Value Conversion Charge Report and submits it to the County Treasurer.

For the County Treasurer

DOR has received feedback that a sample charge form be suggested for use in issuing the charge. Ultimately, collection is the responsibility of the County Treasurer, and this Issuance of Conversion Charge format is a suggested template that should be reviewed internally by the county and modified as seen fit.