Property tax in Wisconsin: estimating your annual bill
Estimate Wisconsin property tax from assessed value and your local rate, and plan for it monthly.
Key facts
| Place | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Sales tax | State sales tax |
| Standard rate on file | 5% |
| Multiply net price by | 1.05 |
| Tax share of a gross price | 4.76% |
| Currency | USD |
Assessed value and millage
Local governments in Wisconsin assess property and apply a rate, often expressed in mills (dollars per $1,000 of assessed value). Divide the millage by 10 to get a percentage you can enter in the calculator.
Worked example
Here is the calculation with sample figures. Change any number in the Wisconsin Property Tax Calculator to run your own.
| Assessed value | $300,000.00 |
| Tax rate (%) | 1% |
| Annual tax | $3,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Monthly tax | $250.00 |
Exemptions
Homestead, senior and veteran exemptions can lower the taxable value. Check with your county assessor.
Quick reference at 5%
Common amounts in Wisconsin, worked both ways: adding tax to a net price, and extracting it from a price that already includes tax.
| Amount | Tax on net amount | Gross (net + tax) | Net if amount includes tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.50 | $10.50 | $9.52 |
| $50.00 | $2.50 | $52.50 | $47.62 |
| $100.00 | $5.00 | $105.00 | $95.24 |
| $250.00 | $12.50 | $262.50 | $238.10 |
| $500.00 | $25.00 | $525.00 | $476.19 |
| $1,000.00 | $50.00 | $1,050.00 | $952.38 |
| $5,000.00 | $250.00 | $5,250.00 | $4,761.90 |
How Wisconsin compares
Standard rates on file for other states. A difference of a few points matters most on high-value purchases and on cross-border sales.
| Place | Rate on file | Compared with 5% |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 5.3% | higher |
| Washington | 6.5% | higher |
| West Virginia | 6% | higher |
| Wyoming | 4% | lower |
Using the calculator step by step
- Open the Wisconsin Property Tax Calculator.
- Type your figures into the numbered lines. Results update as you type.
- Check the rate field. It starts at 5%; change it if a reduced rate, local surcharge or exemption applies to you.
- Read the result on the receipt panel, and use the formula shown under it if you need to explain the figure to a client or colleague.
Key terms
- Net amount
- The amount before tax is added. On an invoice it is the figure the tax is calculated on.
- Exempt supply
- A sale that falls outside the tax entirely. No tax is charged and input tax usually cannot be reclaimed.
- Withholding
- Tax deducted at source, by an employer or payer, before the money reaches you.
- Reduced rate
- A lower rate that applies to specific categories, often essentials such as food, medicine or books.
- Deduction
- An amount subtracted from taxable income. It saves tax equal to the deduction times your marginal rate.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing market value and assessed value.
- Missing homestead exemption deadlines.
Run your own numbers. The Wisconsin Property Tax Calculator updates as you type and shows the formula it uses.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a millage rate to a percentage?
Divide the mills by 10. For example, 20 mills is 2%.
Who sets property tax rates in Wisconsin?
Local taxing authorities such as counties, cities and school districts.
This article is general information for planning, not tax advice. Rates and rules change; confirm with your tax authority or a qualified adviser.