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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Columbia County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Columbia County, WI. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

9 Official Sources
8 min read
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Tax Rate
Varies by location within county due to different school districts, municipalities, and special taxing districts
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Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Columbia County property tax is the primary funding mechanism for essential local services including schools, county government operations, law enforcement, fire protection, and infrastructure maintenance. Property owners pay taxes based on their property's assessed value multiplied by the applicable tax rate, which varies significantly by location within the county due to different combinations of school districts, municipalities, and special taxing districts.

The county's tax rate structure consists of multiple components including county levy, school district taxes, municipal taxes, and various special district assessments. For the 2025 tax year, the average property tax bill in Columbia County is approximately $3,802, with $1,027 of that amount going to county services specifically. However, your actual tax rate and bill will depend on your specific location within the county, as different areas are served by different school districts and special taxing districts that each levy their own taxes.

Property tax bills are typically mailed in December, with payment due by January 31st of the following year. Property owners should note that most tax credits and exemptions require annual application and are not automatically applied to your tax bill.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
County Levy0.724621889Base county services, law enforcement, courts, social services
School DistrictVaries by districtK-12 education funding (varies significantly by school district)
MunicipalVaries by municipalityCity/town/village services, local infrastructure
Technical CollegeVariesWisconsin technical college system funding
Special DistrictsVariesFire protection, sanitary districts, library districts

Rates shown are for levy year 2025. The county assessment ratio of 0.724621889 is used to calculate estimated fair market value on tax bills. Your total effective tax rate will be the sum of all applicable components based on your property's location within Columbia County. Special taxing districts can add significant variation to your total rate - properties in different areas of the county may have substantially different total tax rates even with the same assessed value.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Columbia County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Columbia County are additional property tax bills issued when there are changes to a property's assessed value during the tax year. Common triggers include new construction completion, major improvements or additions, ownership transfers that prompt reassessment, or corrections to the original assessment.

When a supplemental assessment is issued, the additional tax is calculated by applying the current tax rate to the increase in assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining. For example, if a $50,000 home addition is completed and assessed in July (halfway through the tax year), and your total tax rate is 2.0%, you would owe approximately $500 (($50,000 × 0.02) ÷ 2) in supplemental taxes.

Supplemental tax bills are typically issued within 30-90 days of the assessment change and have separate due dates from your regular property tax bill. These taxes must be paid in addition to your regular annual property tax bill and cannot be appealed separately from the underlying assessment.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if eligible): -$1,200
  • Net Taxable Value: $298,800
  • Annual Tax (assuming 2.0% total rate): $5,976
  • Monthly Escrow: $498

Example 2: $600,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if eligible): -$1,200
  • Net Taxable Value: $598,800
  • Annual Tax (assuming 2.0% total rate): $11,976
  • Monthly Escrow: $998

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if eligible): -$1,200
  • Net Taxable Value: $998,800
  • Annual Tax (assuming 2.0% total rate): $19,976
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,665

Note: Tax credits shown require annual application and eligibility verification. Actual total tax rates vary by location within Columbia County based on school district and special taxing districts. These examples use estimated rates for illustration purposes only.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Columbia County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% down payment. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments equal to your annual property tax bill divided by 12, plus a cushion amount (typically 2-3 months of payments) to ensure adequate funds are available when taxes are due.

Columbia County property taxes are typically due January 31st for the previous year's levy. Your lender will receive the tax bill directly and pay it from your escrow account before the due date. After payment, you should receive an escrow analysis statement showing the payment details and any necessary adjustments to your monthly escrow amount for the following year.

If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your lender may require an immediate escrow shortage payment or spread the shortage over 12 months by increasing your monthly payment. You can request an escrow analysis at any time and should review your annual escrow statement carefully to ensure accuracy. Property owners are ultimately responsible for ensuring their taxes are paid on time, even when using an escrow account.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Columbia County? A: Property tax bills are typically mailed in December, with full payment due by January 31st of the following year for the current fiscal year levy.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: Wisconsin offers several tax credits including the Homestead Credit for qualifying homeowners, which must be applied for annually. Most credits require separate application and are not automatically applied to your tax bill. Contact the Columbia County Assessor's office for available credits and application requirements.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit helps limit annual assessment increases for qualifying owner-occupied homes, but requires annual filing with income verification. This credit caps assessment growth rather than reducing market value, and eligibility is based on income limits and residency requirements.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Columbia County? A: Columbia County conducts property assessments according to Wisconsin state requirements. Property owners receive assessment notices and have appeal rights with specific deadlines that vary by municipality.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payment? A: Late payments are subject to interest and penalties as specified in Wisconsin statutes. Contact the Columbia County Treasurer's office for current penalty rates and payment options.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Many Columbia County municipalities offer online payment options. Check with your specific municipality or the county treasurer's website for available electronic payment methods.

Q: Why do properties in different parts of Columbia County have different tax rates? A: Total tax rates vary based on your property's location within different school districts, municipalities, and special taxing districts (fire, library, sanitary districts, etc.). Each entity sets its own levy rate.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Property assessment appeals must be filed by specific deadlines with your local Board of Review. Contact your municipal assessor's office for appeal procedures, deadlines, and required documentation for your area.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
County
Financial Report 10/2025 - Columbia Countyco.columbia.wi.us
02
County
2025 Statement of Assessment for 5soacolumbia Countyrevenue.wi.gov
03
Tax Doc
2025 Tax Bill, Town of Lewiston, Parcel 443ascent.co.columbia.wi.us
04
County
columbia county owner occupied rehabilitation programco.columbia.wi.us
05
Tax Doc
DOR Property Tax Exemption Formsrevenue.wi.gov
06
Tax Doc
Homestead Credit Tax Year 2024 - Fact Sheet 1116 revenue ...revenue.wi.gov
07
County
COLUMBIA COUNTY Guide to County Budget/Financesco.columbia.wi.us
08
CITY OF COLUMBUScolumbuswi.gov
09
Ordinance No. 2021-4, In the Matter of the Application by ...columbiacountyor.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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