Guide to Property Assessors Offices - Wyoming

Property assessors' offices in Wyoming can be an investor's best friend for tax information
By Kelly Shetsky

Wyoming property assessment is formulated around the property's assessed value. The revenue trains, supports and guides local government agencies. WY assessors use a "fractional assessment" formula. This means that property taxes only apply to a percentage of the property's full market value. Usually, the market value amount that's subject to being taxed is 9.5%. For example, a $100,000 home is taxed on $9,500 in assessed value.

There is a lot of information to aid your real estate investments at your Wyoming property assessor's office, including property descriptions, records of property value, ownership changes for properties and up-to-date maps of property lines. Wyoming property assessors also analyze the cost of building a new property, trends in property sales prices and the average expense for renting property. There are many ways that the information obtained through Wyoming property assessment is useful. Consider the following when dealing with assessors:

1. Track property market trends by checking out the rise and fall of Wyoming property records.

2. Determine true market value.

3. Evaluate whether a land assessment is fair based on comparisons with similar properties.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Become familiar with Wyoming property assessors' laws on land values Statutes limit property tax rate increases in Wyoming. For county revenue, the property tax rate cannot be higher than 1.2% of assessed value. In towns and cities, the rate is limited to 0.8%.

I recommend: The Wyoming Department of Revenue helps you understand the property tax system and who must pay for what. Bankrate.com explains how property assessments are completed; just click on the "Property" tab for more information.

Get property records online from Wyoming assessors Assessors in Wyoming make it a whole lot easier to search through records because most post them in online databases. Wyoming property values are public record, so anyone can take a look at anyone's property information.

I recommend: Skipease lists information about Wyoming property records as well as specific links to property assessors offices in Wyoming. For a nominal fee, DirectPass, Searchsystems.net’s online database, allows you to get information from a Wyoming property appraiser. Register with Intelius to search property records for a fee.

Estimate your taxes based on a similar Wyoming property value If you're buying an investment property that's similar to several others nearby, it's safe to assume that the Wyoming assessor will assess your property at an amount close to what the neighbors will pay. Unless there are vast discrepancies in the age, size or condition of the building or lot, your taxes will be comparable.

I recommend: Get property tax information by simply typing in your neighbor's address or the address of an investment property into Assessor Links USA’s search tool, a free Wyoming property database. Several municipalities, including Weston County and Laramie County have information on their websites about the property tax assessment process. Register free of charge with LoopNet, which will link you to assessors in Wyoming.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

If you can't find online property tax records, WY assessors are available over the phone or in person. Contact them to set up an appointment.
Don't be afraid to fight an unfair property assessment. Ask your Wyoming assessor for an informal hearing or fill out a grievance form.