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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Dane County
Property Tax Guide

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

7 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
$15.14 per $1,000 assessed value (county portion only), varies by municipality and school district
Exemptions
6+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Dane County, Wisconsin operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, county operations, municipal services, and various special districts. Property owners pay taxes based on their property's assessed value multiplied by the applicable tax rate, which is expressed as a mill rate per $1,000 of assessed value. The 2025 tax rate for Dane County is $15.14 per $1,000 of assessed value, though this represents just one component of your total property tax bill.

Your actual property tax rate will vary significantly depending on your specific location within Dane County, as you'll also pay taxes to your local municipality, school district, and any applicable special taxing districts such as technical college districts, library districts, or municipal utility districts. The combined effective tax rate typically ranges from approximately 1.8% to 2.5% of assessed value countywide. Tax bills are mailed in December each year and are due by January 31st of the following year.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Component2025 Rate (per $1,000)Description
Dane County Levy$15.14County operations, services, and debt service
School District LevyVaries by districtK-12 education funding (typically $8-12 per $1,000)
Municipal LevyVaries by municipalityCity/village/town services and operations
Technical College~$1.50-2.00Madison Area Technical College district
Special DistrictsVariesLibrary, sanitary, utility, or other local districts

Note: Rates shown are for Levy Year 2025, collected in 2026. Your total mill rate depends on your specific location within Dane County. For example, the Village of Oregon's portion is $4.67 per $1,000. Contact your local municipality or visit the Dane County Treasurer's website for your exact combined rate.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Dane 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 property taxes in Dane County are additional tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, value, or use during the tax year. The most common triggers include new construction completion, major improvements, ownership transfers that remove exemptions, or corrections to the original assessment. Unlike the annual tax bill, supplemental taxes are prorated based on the number of months remaining in the tax year when the change becomes effective.

For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in July, and your total tax rate is $20 per $1,000, you would owe a supplemental tax of approximately $1,000 (6 months remaining ÷ 12 months × $100,000 × 0.020). Supplemental tax bills are issued separately from annual bills and typically have their own payment due dates, usually 30 days from the bill date.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applicable): Varies
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000
  • Tax Rate: $20.00 per $1,000 (example combined rate)
  • Annual Tax: $6,000
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $500

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applicable): Varies
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000
  • Tax Rate: $22.00 per $1,000 (example combined rate)
  • Annual Tax: $13,200
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $1,100

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Available Tax Credits: Varies
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Tax Rate: $24.00 per $1,000 (example combined rate)
  • Annual Tax: $24,000
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $2,000

Note: Tax credits require separate application and are not automatically applied. Rates vary by specific location within Dane County.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Dane County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% down payment, though some lenders may require escrow regardless of down payment amount. Your lender collects 1/12th of your estimated annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment, depositing these funds into an escrow account. The lender then pays your property taxes directly to Dane County when bills are due each January 31st.

Lenders typically conduct annual escrow analyses to ensure adequate funds are collected, which may result in payment adjustments if taxes increase or decrease significantly. You can verify your property tax payments and view payment history online at https://accessdane.countyofdane.com/. If you pay taxes directly (without escrow), you're responsible for ensuring payment reaches the Dane County Treasurer by the January 31st deadline to avoid penalties and interest charges.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Dane County property taxes due for the 2025 tax year? A: Tax bills are mailed in December 2025 and payment is due by January 31, 2026.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they apply automatically? A: Wisconsin offers several tax credits including the Homestead Credit and School Levy Tax Credit, but these require separate applications and are NOT automatically applied to your tax bill. Contact the Dane County Treasurer at https://www.countyofdane.com/departments/treasurer for application requirements.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit limits annual increases in your property's assessed value for tax purposes (typically capped at around 10% per year), rather than reducing the market value. You must file an application to receive this benefit - it is not automatic.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Dane County? A: Wisconsin law requires properties to be assessed annually, though not all properties receive physical inspections each year. Assessments aim to reflect fair market value as of January 1st.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Late payments incur interest charges and penalties. Contact the Dane County Treasurer for current penalty rates and payment options.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, online payments are available through the Dane County access portal at https://accessdane.countyofdane.com/.

Q: Why is my tax rate different from my neighbor's? A: Tax rates vary based on the specific taxing districts where your property is located, including school district, municipality, and special districts like libraries or sanitary districts.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with your local Board of Review, typically meeting in May. Contact the Dane County Treasurer's office for specific deadlines and procedures.

Q: What if I disagree with special district charges on my tax bill? A: Special district taxes appear as separate line items on your tax bill. Contact the specific district directly for questions about their levy or services provided.

Verified Sources

Backed by 7 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
Dane County Assessorcountyofdane.com
02
Tax Doc
Property Tax Informationoregonwi.gov
03
Tax Doc
Property Tax Estimates Under 2025 Act 15docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
04
Tax Doc
Taxes - Windsor, WIwindsorwi.gov
05
village of cross plainscross-plains.wi.us
06
10.16 University Research Park, Inc. Lease Agreementsec.gov
07
Gialamas_9-3-19.pdfilnb.uscourts.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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