With our free, quick, and accurate Wisconsin Property Tax Calculator, easily project your yearly property tax liability in Wisconsin. See your entire tax bill and monthly breakdown by just entering the assessed value of your property, local mill rate, and relevant exemption.
This Calculator: What Is It?
A Wisconsin Property Tax Calculator is a specific tool designed to assist homeowners and potential purchasers in approximating their annual property tax depending on local assessment ratios, mill rates, and exemptions.
Entering the assessed value of your property, tax rate (in mills), and any credits or exemptions will help you to precisely know your annual obligation and guide your housing budget.
Why It Matters
Particularly in Wisconsin where rates vary greatly by county and municipality, property taxes sometimes account for a sizable fraction of homeownership expenses. Advance knowledge of your expected property tax will help you:
- Accurate monthly mortgage and escrow budgeting
- Analyze the tax loads in several communities
- See the effects of exemptions like the Wisconsin Property Tax Credit
- Whether you are refinancing, purchasing, or selling a house, make wise decisions
Brief History
- Wisconsin’s property tax system originated in the 1800s, inspired by conventional English land tax.
- Originally in charge of both value assessment and tax collection were counties.
- In 1911, the state established the Equalization Board to guarantee equitable assessments throughout all counties.
- Local governments began expressing tax rates in “mills,” or tenths of a cent per dollar of assessed value (1 mill = $1 tax per $1,000 of assessed value).
- Wisconsin later introduced credits such as the School Levy Tax Credit and Property Tax Credit and implemented annual increase caps for some properties.
- Online calculators emerged to help homeowners estimate taxes based on current mill rates and exemption rules.
How It’s Done
Formula:
Assessed Value × Assessment Ratio × Mill Rate ÷ 1,000 − Credits/Exemptions = Net Property Tax
Key Elements:
- Assessed Value: Determined by your county assessor; typically 100% of full market value.
- Assessment Ratio: Generally 100% for most property types in Wisconsin.
- Mill Rate: Sum of municipal, county, school, and special district rates, expressed in mills.
- Credits and Exemptions: State/local benefits like the Homestead Credit or School Levy Tax Credit.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Input Assessed Value
Found on your assessor’s notice. - Verify Assessment Ratio
Usually 100%; may vary for agriculture/manufacturing. - Input Mill Rate
Example: 25.75 mills (local total rate). - Apply Credits/Exemptions
Add School Levy, Homestead Credit, Veteran Exemption, etc. - Calculate Using the Tool
- Gross Tax: Before applying any credits
- Credits Applied
- Net Tax Owed
- Monthly Estimate (if using escrow)
Important Tools and Materials
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Assessed Value | Property valuation by county assessor |
Assessment Ratio | Percentage of market value taxed (usually 100% in WI) |
Mill Rate (per $1,000) | Combined local tax rate in mills |
School Levy Tax Credit | State credit reducing school district taxes |
Homestead Credit | Income-based credit for eligible homeowners |
Other Exemptions | Local/state exemptions for veterans, seniors, disabled, etc. |
Variations in Cost Types and Results
Scenario | Assessed Value | Mill Rate | Credits | Gross Tax | Total Credit | Net Tax | Monthly | Effective Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | $120,000 | 25.00 | School Levy: $150 | $5,000.00 | $150.00 | $4,850.00 | $404.17 | 2.43% |
2 | $350,000 | 23.50 | School Levy: $200; Homestead: $300 | $8,225.00 | $500.00 | $7,725.00 | $643.75 | 2.21% |
3 | $150,000 | 28.75 | Homestead: $250 | $4,312.50 | $250.00 | $4,062.50 | $339.54 | 2.71% |
4 | $500,000 | 22.00 | School Levy: $400; Vet Exempt: $180 | $11,000.00 | $580.00 | $10,420.00 | $868.33 | 2.08% |
5 | $275,000 | 26.10 | School Levy: $175; Local Abate: $100 | $7,177.50 | $275.00 | $6,902.50 | $575.21 | 2.51% |
Interactive Tables and Charts
Typical Mill Rates by County (2024)
County | Mill Rate |
---|---|
Milwaukee | 26.40 |
Dane | 18.75 |
Waukesha | 20.10 |
Brown | 24.50 |
Outagamie | 23.20 |
Pie Chart Example: $350,000 Home (23.50 Mills, $7,725 Net)
- Municipal: 45%
- School District: 35%
- County: 15%
- Special District: 5%
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is a mill rate?
A mill rate is the tax per $1,000 of assessed property value. For example, 25 mills = $25 in tax per $1,000 of value.
Q2: Where can I find my assessed value and mill rate?
Check your County Assessor’s office or website. Mill rates are published by local taxing authorities.
Q3: What credits are available in Wisconsin?
- School Levy Tax Credit
- Homestead Credit (income-based)
- Veterans Exemption (for eligible disabled veterans)
Q4: Why is my effective tax rate different from the mill rate ÷ 1,000?
Because credits and exemptions lower your net tax, the effective rate reflects net tax divided by assessed value.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for commercial or rental properties?
Yes. Just input the correct value and applicable mill rate. Credits differ for non-owner-occupied properties; check with your assessor.
Further Materials & Related Calculators
- Wisconsin Homestead Credit Calculator
- County Mill Rate Lookup Tool
- Wisconsin Mortgage & Escrow Estimator
- Across State Property Tax Comparison Calculator
- Wisconsin Commercial Property Tax Calculator
Filled Sample for Quick Use
- Assessed Value: $350,000
- Assessment Ratio: 100%
- Mill Rate: 23.50
- School Levy Credit: $200
- Homestead Credit: $300
- Net Annual Tax Due: $7,725.00
- Monthly Payment Estimate: $643.75
- Effective Tax Rate: 2.21%
Disclaimer: Estimates from this calculator are based on the most recent Wisconsin tax laws. For the most accurate figures, always confirm specifics with your County Assessor’s office.
Find other property tax calculators for other states of USA here:
- Winconsin property tax calculator
- West Virginia Property Tax Calculator
- Washington property tax calculator
- Virginia property tax calculator
- Vermont property tax calculator
- Utah property tax calculator
- Texas property tax calculator
- Tennessee property tax calculator
- South Dakota property tax calculator
- Pennsylvania property tax calculator
- Oregon property tax calculator
- Oklahoma property tax calculator
- Ohio property tax calculator
- North Dakota property tax calculator
- North Carolina property tax calculator
- New York property tax calculator
- Nevada property tax calculator
- New Hampshire property tax calculator
- Nebraska property tax calculator
- Montana property tax calculator
- Missouri property tax calculator
- Minnesota property tax calculator
- Michigan property tax calculator
- Massachusetts property tax calculator
- Kentucky property tax calculator
- Maryland property tax calculator
- Kansas property tax calculator
- Hawaii property tax calculator
- Georgia property tax calculator
- Delaware property tax calculator
- Louisiana property tax calculator
- Maine property tax calculator
- Illinois property tax calculator
- Idaho property tax calculator
- Connecticut property tax calculator
- Colorado property tax calculator
- California property tax calculator
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- South Carolina property tax calculator
- Rhode Island property tax calculator
- Wyoming property tax calculator