Owning in Wisconsin
Data from January 2026
Property tax in Wisconsin
The typical owner in Wisconsin pays $3,792 a year, about 1.42% of the home’s value (0.94% nationwide). Here are the exemptions and discounts the state publishes, the deadlines to claim them or appeal, and every county’s figure.
Key numbers in Wisconsin
- Typical tax
- $3,792
- per year, typical household
- 22% more than the U.S.
- Effective rate
- 1.42%
- tax ÷ value (estimate)
- 51% more than the U.S.
- United States
- 0.94%
- national effective rate
- Exemptions and relief
- 3
- published by the state, with the source
The state's rules
Wisconsin's rules, in one table
The assessment cap, the homestead exemption, when to protest and when to pay, as Wisconsin's official source states them. Tap "What the source says" to read the exact text.
| Rule | What Wisconsin says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What triggers a new assessment | Whenever the assessor changes your property's total assessment, you must be notified (though the change stands even if you do not get the notice). When a property sells, the assessor reviews the sale, and new construction or an improvement is assessed by how much it adds to market value, not by what it cost. What the source says· Wis. Stat. § 70.365“Under state law (sec. 70.365, Wis. Stats.), whenever an assessor changes the total assessment of any real property by any amount, the owner must be notified. … However, failure to receive a notice does not affect the validity of the changed assessment. … When a property sells, the assessor must review the sale … Under state law, the assessment must be based on the market value of the improvement.” | Wisconsin Department of Revenue Verified November 6, 2026 |
| Protest deadline Set by your county or town | First talk to your municipality's assessor or go to Open Book, the period the assessment roll is open before the Board of Review. To object, give the Board's clerk written or oral notice at least 48 hours before its first meeting, and fill out objection form PA-115A. Each municipality sets its date; the Board meets within the 45 days starting the fourth Monday in April. If you disagree with its decision, you can appeal to circuit court or the Department of Revenue. What the source says· Wis. Stat. § 70.47“If you intend to file an objection, you must provide the BOR clerk with written or oral notice of intent to file an objection at least 48 hours before the first scheduled BOR meeting (or, for a late BOR, the first scheduled meeting after the roll is complete) under sec. 70.47(7)(a), Wis. Stats. There is no specific form for your notice. … Each year, during the 45-day period beginning with the fourth Monday in April, but no sooner than seven days after Open Book.” | Wisconsin Department of Revenue Verified November 6, 2026 |
| When to pay | Unless your local government set another schedule, you pay in full by Jan. 31, or in two installments: the first by Jan. 31 and the second by July 31. If an installment is late, you lose the installment option and the whole balance is delinquent. Confirm the dates with your municipality. What the source says“State law provides the following payment schedule unless your local governing unit enacted a different schedule. … If you pay by installment, your first payment is due by January 31; the second installment is due July 31” | Wisconsin Department of Revenue Verified November 6, 2026 |
Not verified yet: Cap on your home, Cap on other property, Homestead exemption.
Did your assessment go up?By place
Every county, with its figure
What the typical owner pays in each county of Wisconsin, with the typical home value and the effective rate. Highest tax first.
| Dane County | $6,420 | $394,800 | 1.63% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ozaukee County | $4,631 | $390,200 | 1.19% |
| Waukesha County | $4,554 | $398,200 | 1.14% |
| Pierce County | $4,551 | $333,700 | 1.36% |
| Milwaukee County | $4,444 | $230,700 | 1.93% |
| St. Croix County | $4,420 | $377,700 | 1.17% |
| Kenosha County | $4,179 | $265,500 | 1.57% |
| Racine County | $4,099 | $251,400 | 1.63% |
| Iowa County | $4,038 | $265,000 | 1.52% |
| Walworth County | $4,036 | $302,700 | 1.33% |
| Jefferson County | $4,005 | $274,100 | 1.46% |
| Green County | $4,003 | $250,200 | 1.60% |
| La Crosse County | $3,947 | $257,000 | 1.54% |
| Menominee County | $3,926 | $110,200 | 3.56% |
| Calumet County | $3,877 | $274,200 | 1.41% |
| Columbia County | $3,855 | $283,200 | 1.36% |
| Washington County | $3,802 | $344,800 | 1.10% |
| Sauk County | $3,755 | $258,600 | 1.45% |
| Rock County | $3,703 | $231,600 | 1.60% |
| Winnebago County | $3,679 | $225,800 | 1.63% |
| Outagamie County | $3,668 | $267,300 | 1.37% |
| Brown County | $3,663 | $266,000 | 1.38% |
| Eau Claire County | $3,514 | $261,000 | 1.35% |
| Portage County | $3,492 | $243,100 | 1.44% |
| Door County | $3,486 | $342,600 | 1.02% |
| Dodge County | $3,422 | $231,900 | 1.48% |
| Dunn County | $3,380 | $243,200 | 1.39% |
| Trempealeau County | $3,372 | $216,700 | 1.56% |
| Fond du Lac County | $3,365 | $222,800 | 1.51% |
| Sheboygan County | $3,236 | $232,700 | 1.39% |
| Marathon County | $3,218 | $219,600 | 1.47% |
| Kewaunee County | $3,190 | $222,200 | 1.44% |
| Polk County | $3,075 | $271,900 | 1.13% |
| Lafayette County | $3,053 | $194,500 | 1.57% |
| Vernon County | $2,978 | $223,800 | 1.33% |
| Waupaca County | $2,924 | $211,400 | 1.38% |
| Pepin County | $2,922 | $214,800 | 1.36% |
| Crawford County | $2,861 | $183,400 | 1.56% |
| Barron County | $2,843 | $216,600 | 1.31% |
| Monroe County | $2,826 | $210,000 | 1.35% |
| Buffalo County | $2,808 | $213,300 | 1.32% |
| Chippewa County | $2,798 | $257,900 | 1.08% |
| Taylor County | $2,748 | $197,100 | 1.39% |
| Richland County | $2,735 | $197,500 | 1.38% |
| Grant County | $2,729 | $200,700 | 1.36% |
| Oconto County | $2,727 | $231,400 | 1.18% |
| Jackson County | $2,725 | $196,100 | 1.39% |
| Green Lake County | $2,718 | $215,400 | 1.26% |
| Wood County | $2,697 | $175,600 | 1.54% |
| Manitowoc County | $2,695 | $186,900 | 1.44% |
| Marquette County | $2,659 | $210,400 | 1.26% |
| Shawano County | $2,644 | $194,000 | 1.36% |
| Juneau County | $2,605 | $177,700 | 1.47% |
| Douglas County | $2,599 | $205,800 | 1.26% |
| Lincoln County | $2,549 | $192,700 | 1.32% |
| Clark County | $2,505 | $172,800 | 1.45% |
| Waushara County | $2,464 | $203,100 | 1.21% |
| Bayfield County | $2,425 | $240,800 | 1.01% |
| Ashland County | $2,413 | $170,300 | 1.42% |
| Adams County | $2,407 | $200,800 | 1.20% |
| Washburn County | $2,377 | $226,100 | 1.05% |
| Vilas County | $2,197 | $300,000 | 0.73% |
| Price County | $2,150 | $162,500 | 1.32% |
| Burnett County | $2,140 | $231,300 | 0.93% |
| Oneida County | $2,123 | $238,400 | 0.89% |
| Florence County | $2,096 | $173,200 | 1.21% |
| Forest County | $1,988 | $185,000 | 1.07% |
| Langlade County | $1,972 | $158,200 | 1.25% |
| Marinette County | $1,907 | $158,600 | 1.20% |
| Sawyer County | $1,897 | $236,200 | 0.80% |
| Rusk County | $1,834 | $163,400 | 1.12% |
| Iron County | $1,768 | $165,900 | 1.07% |
- Dane $6,4201.63%
- Ozaukee $4,6311.19%
- Waukesha $4,5541.14%
- Pierce $4,5511.36%
- Milwaukee $4,4441.93%
- St. Croix $4,4201.17%
- Kenosha $4,1791.57%
- Racine $4,0991.63%
- Iowa $4,0381.52%
- Walworth $4,0361.33%
- Jefferson $4,0051.46%
- Green $4,0031.60%
- La Crosse $3,9471.54%
- Menominee $3,9263.56%
- Calumet $3,8771.41%
- Columbia $3,8551.36%
- Washington $3,8021.10%
- Sauk $3,7551.45%
- Rock $3,7031.60%
- Winnebago $3,6791.63%
- Outagamie $3,6681.37%
- Brown $3,6631.38%
- Eau Claire $3,5141.35%
- Portage $3,4921.44%
- Door $3,4861.02%
- Dodge $3,4221.48%
- Dunn $3,3801.39%
- Trempealeau $3,3721.56%
- Fond du Lac $3,3651.51%
- Sheboygan $3,2361.39%
- Marathon $3,2181.47%
- Kewaunee $3,1901.44%
- Polk $3,0751.13%
- Lafayette $3,0531.57%
- Vernon $2,9781.33%
- Waupaca $2,9241.38%
- Pepin $2,9221.36%
- Crawford $2,8611.56%
- Barron $2,8431.31%
- Monroe $2,8261.35%
- Buffalo $2,8081.32%
- Chippewa $2,7981.08%
- Taylor $2,7481.39%
- Richland $2,7351.38%
- Grant $2,7291.36%
- Oconto $2,7271.18%
- Jackson $2,7251.39%
- Green Lake $2,7181.26%
- Wood $2,6971.54%
- Manitowoc $2,6951.44%
- Marquette $2,6591.26%
- Shawano $2,6441.36%
- Juneau $2,6051.47%
- Douglas $2,5991.26%
- Lincoln $2,5491.32%
- Clark $2,5051.45%
- Waushara $2,4641.21%
- Bayfield $2,4251.01%
- Ashland $2,4131.42%
- Adams $2,4071.20%
- Washburn $2,3771.05%
- Vilas $2,1970.73%
- Price $2,1501.32%
- Burnett $2,1400.93%
- Oneida $2,1230.89%
- Florence $2,0961.21%
- Forest $1,9881.07%
- Langlade $1,9721.25%
- Marinette $1,9071.20%
- Sawyer $1,8970.80%
- Rusk $1,8341.12%
- Iron $1,7681.07%
Effective rate: typical tax ÷ typical value, our estimate from two Census medians. Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (external site)
Exemptions
Which exemption fits you?
What Wisconsin publishes for each case. You have to apply for almost all of them: none is applied on its own.
-
If you are an older owner
Wisconsin has no age exemption on the property tax. The homestead credit is an income-based payment for owners and renters; for 2025 you qualify, among other conditions, if you (or your spouse) are 62 or older at the end of the year and household income is under $24,680. You claim it on Schedule H or H-EZ. The housing agency WHEDA lends older owners money to pay the tax; the loan is repaid when you sell or move.
What the source says
“You have less than $24,680 in household income for 2025. … You (or your spouse, if married) are 62 years of age or older at the end of 2025. … You own or rent your Wisconsin homestead that is subject to Wisconsin property taxes during 2025.”
Wisconsin Department of Revenue · Verified November 6, 2026
-
If you have a disability
If you or your spouse are disabled, you can qualify for the homestead credit with household income under $24,680 (for 2025), with the other conditions. You claim it on Schedule H or H-EZ.
What the source says
“You have less than $24,680 in household income for 2025. … You (or your spouse, if married, and reside in the same household) are disabled.”
Wisconsin Department of Revenue · Verified November 6, 2026
-
If you are a veteran
Wisconsin has no property tax exemption for veterans. The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs runs a refundable property tax credit for eligible veterans and surviving spouses; Wisconsin residency is one of the requirements.
What the source says· Wis. Stat. § 71.07(6e)
“State of Wisconsin does not offer a property tax exemption for veterans … Department of Veterans Affairs administers the Wisconsin veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit under state law (sec. 71.07(6e), Wis. Stats.) … Property tax credit provides a refundable property tax credit to eligible Wisconsin veterans and eligible surviving spouses”
Wisconsin Department of Revenue · Verified November 6, 2026
How it works
Where your bill comes from
The local government puts a value on your home, subtracts the exemptions you apply for and applies the rate of each body that taxes it: the county, the city, the school district and others.
- The value assigned to your home
- The exemptions you apply for
- The rates of each taxing body (county, city, schools)
- Your yearly bill
The effective rate on this page is something else: our estimate (typical tax ÷ typical value, from Census data) for comparing places. It is not the rate your local government sets.
Buying or selling
Taxes on the sale
Some states charge a tax or fee when the deed is recorded. What the official source says:
-
State real estate transfer fee
The seller (grantor) pays a transfer fee of 30 cents for each $100 of value (or fraction) on every conveyance that state law does not exempt or exclude. For example, if the value subject to the fee is $100,000, the fee is $300.
Wis. Stat. §77.22(1) · Wisconsin Department of Revenue (Filing a Real Estate Transfer Return guide) · Verified October 24, 2026
-
ID numbers on the real estate transfer return (RETR)
The real estate transfer return (RETR) lists a Social Security number (SSN), an ITIN or a FEIN (federal identification number) and the address of each seller and each buyer. A buyer without an SSN gives an ITIN. If you have neither an SSN nor an ITIN, you pick from a list the reason the number is not available. The RETR is confidential under state law, and the Department of Revenue restricts who can see it.
Wis. Stat. §77.265 · Wisconsin Department of Revenue · Verified October 24, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much is property tax in Wisconsin?
The typical owner pays $3,792 a year, about 1.42% of the home’s value, per the Census (Average 2020–2024). Nationwide the effective rate is 0.94%. Your bill depends on your county, city, school district and the exemptions you claim.
What is the deadline to protest the assessment in Wisconsin?
First talk to your municipality's assessor or go to Open Book, the period the assessment roll is open before the Board of Review. To object, give the Board's clerk written or oral notice at least 48 hours before its first meeting, and fill out objection form PA-115A. Each municipality sets its date; the Board meets within the 45 days starting the fourth Monday in April. If you disagree with its decision, you can appeal to circuit court or the Department of Revenue.
When is property tax paid in Wisconsin?
Unless your local government set another schedule, you pay in full by Jan. 31, or in two installments: the first by Jan. 31 and the second by July 31. If an installment is late, you lose the installment option and the whole balance is delinquent. Confirm the dates with your municipality.
Which county in Wisconsin pays the most property tax?
By amount, the highest typical tax is in Dane County ($6,420) and the lowest in Iron County ($1,768). By effective rate, the highest is Menominee County (3.56%) and the lowest Vilas County (0.73%).
What is the effective rate?
The typical tax divided by the typical home value in the same place. It is our estimate from two Census medians, not the rate your local government sets; it is for comparing places.