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1. When is my property tax payment due?

• Property tax bills are mailed out by the town, city, or village treasurer the middle of December.
• Payment of the first installment of taxes or payment in full is due to the town, city, or village treasurer by January 31.
• Payment of the second installment of taxes is due to the County Treasurer by July 31.
• Missing a due date for payment of taxes results in the unpaid tax becoming delinquent and subject to interest of 1% per month from February 1 until paid.
• Delinquent property taxes are collected by the County Treasurer.

2. What if I miss the January 31 deadline?

If the first installment is not paid by January 31, the entire unpaid balance becomes delinquent (voiding all installment options) and is subject to interest effective February 1 at a rate of 1% per month (12% per year) until it is paid in full.

3. How does the Treasurer determine if a real estate tax payment is considered timely?

Per State Statute 74.69(1): Property tax payments are considered timely if:

• They are in a properly addressed envelope.
• They are postmarked on or before the respective due dates, with postage prepaid.
• They are received by the proper official within 5 working days of the due date.

We urge taxpayers to mail payments several days early to avoid postal delay. You may consider going to the Post Office and having them postmark your envelope in front of you to assure timely payment.

4. Can you forgive some of the interest on my delinquent taxes?

No, state law sets interest and penalties on delinquent tax amounts. There are no allowances to make any adjustments in those laws.

5. My payments are delinquent. May I make weekly or monthly payments on them?

Yes. We encourage taxpayers to make regular payments to assist in getting delinquent taxes paid in full. We will always mail back a receipt and updated statement showing your new balance due after each payment. 

6. Why didn't I get a copy of my tax bill?

Have you advised of any changes in your mailing address before November 15th? 

Tax bills are mailed to property owners in mid December. If you have not received your bill by December 20th, please contact the treasurer of your local municipality. You are responsible to pay your property taxes in a timely manner, whether or not you have received your tax bill. Failure to receive a property tax bill does not relieve taxpayers of their obligation to pay their taxes by the due date, nor does it negate interest charges that may accrue. 

7. What if I escrow my taxes through my mortgage company?

You are ultimately responsible for the payment of your property taxes. You should verify that your taxes were paid through the escrow.

8. Do I qualify to receive the Lottery and Gaming Credit?

The lottery and gaming credit is direct property tax relief to qualifying taxpayers in the form of a credit on their property tax bill. You may claim a lottery and gaming credit if, on January 1, you are a Wisconsin resident, you are a recorded owner of the property, and the property is your primary residence. You can have only one primary residence. Rental or other properties do not qualify for lottery credit.

To apply for the Lottery and Gaming Credit, fill out the Lottery Credit Form and mail to the Bayfield County Treasurer.