Tax bills will be less taxing for most in West Allis

Property tax bills are on track to be mailed this weekend, so West Allis residents and businesses will soon see how the mix of tax levies and credits actually affect them.

The total 2012 combined tax rate for all six taxing units is $26.14 per $1,000 of assessed value. That tax rate is 3 cents per $1,000 of assessed value higher than this year, bringing the property tax tab up $4.50 for the owner of a home assessed at $150,000.

However, larger lottery and first dollar credits - which are a combined $9 higher for 2012 - will more than wipe out that increase. Because of the larger credits, all taxpayers with properties assessed at less than $300,000 will pay less. That $300,000 is the break-even point where the higher tax bill is $9 and the increased credits are $9.

In terms of percentage, tax rates for the city (up 1.5 percent) and Milwaukee County (up 0.7 percent) were offset by decreases from the schools, MATC and the state. The rate for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District stayed the same.