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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Milwaukee County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
1.5% to 2.5% of assessed value (0.4% county rate plus municipal and school district rates)
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Milwaukee County's property tax system is the primary funding mechanism for essential local services including public schools, county government operations, municipal services, and special districts. Property taxes are assessed based on the fair market value of real estate as determined by local assessors and collected annually to support these critical community functions.

The effective property tax rates in Milwaukee County typically range from 1.5% to 2.5% of assessed value, depending on the specific municipality and school district where the property is located. Milwaukee County itself levies a rate of 0.4% as part of the total tax bill, with additional levies from municipalities, school districts, and special assessment districts making up the remainder. Property owners receive a single consolidated tax bill that includes all applicable levies for their specific location within the county.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Milwaukee County Levy0.4%County government services, parks, transit, health services
Municipal Levy0.3% - 0.8%City/town services, police, fire, public works (varies by municipality)
School District Levy0.8% - 1.5%K-12 education funding (varies significantly by district)
Technical College Levy0.1% - 0.2%Milwaukee Area Technical College funding
Special Assessments0.0% - 0.3%Business improvement districts, infrastructure projects (if applicable)
Total Effective Rate1.6% - 2.8%Combined rate varies by property location within county
Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are significant changes to a property during the tax year. The most common triggers include new construction or major improvements that increase the property's assessed value, ownership changes that reveal underassessed values, or the addition of previously exempt property to the tax rolls.

These supplemental taxes are calculated by applying the current tax rate to the difference between the original assessed value and the new assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining after the change occurred. For example, if a property owner completes a $100,000 addition in July and the local tax rate is 2.0%, they would owe a supplemental tax of approximately $1,000 ($100,000 × 2.0% × 6/12 months = $1,000) to cover the increased assessment for the remainder of that tax year.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: $0 (Wisconsin has limited exemptions)
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000
  • Tax Rate: 2.0% (average effective rate)
  • Annual Tax: $6,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $500

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: $0
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000
  • Tax Rate: 2.2% (higher rate area)
  • Annual Tax: $13,200
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,100

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: $0
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Tax Rate: 2.5% (premium area rate)
  • Annual Tax: $25,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $2,083

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders require property tax escrow accounts for Milwaukee County properties, where monthly payments are collected along with principal and interest and held until tax payments are due. Lenders typically collect 1/12th of the estimated annual tax bill each month, plus an additional cushion of up to two months of payments as required by federal law.

Property tax bills in Milwaukee County are typically due by January 31st each year, and lenders will pay these bills directly from the escrow account on behalf of the property owner. Property owners should verify that their lender has the correct tax amount and payment information, and can monitor their escrow account balance and payments through their loan servicer. For detailed payment information and to verify tax amounts, visit the official Milwaukee County property tax portal at https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Treasurer/Property-Tax.

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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Milwaukee County property taxes due? A: Property taxes are typically due January 31st annually. The first installment payment is due by this date, with full payment also accepted.

Q: What exemptions are available for Milwaukee County property owners? A: Wisconsin offers limited property tax exemptions. Veterans with certain disabilities, senior citizens with qualifying income levels, and properties used for charitable purposes may qualify for exemptions. Contact the county assessor for specific eligibility requirements.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Milwaukee County? A: Properties are reassessed periodically, typically every 2-4 years, though the county monitors market values annually and may adjust assessments more frequently in rapidly changing markets.

Q: How do I appeal my property tax assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the local Board of Review, typically during a brief period in May. Contact your municipal assessor's office for specific deadlines and procedures.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: Late payments incur interest charges and penalties. After extended delinquency, properties may be subject to tax deed procedures where the county can acquire title to the property.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Milwaukee County offers online payment options. Visit https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Treasurer/Property-Tax for secure online payment services and detailed payment instructions.

Q: What if I disagree with my tax bill amount? A: First verify the assessment and tax rate calculations are correct. If you believe the assessment is too high, you can appeal during the Board of Review period. For billing errors, contact the county treasurer's office immediately.

Q: How are property tax rates determined each year? A: Tax rates are set annually based on the budgets approved by each taxing jurisdiction (county, municipality, school district) divided by the total assessed value in their boundaries. Rate changes reflect both budget changes and assessment changes.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
Tax Doc
Property Tax Estimates Under the Governor's Budget Billdocs.legis.wisconsin.gov
02
Tax Doc
Tax Bill Insert 2025wfbvillage.gov
03
Assessor's Office - City of Milwaukeecity.milwaukee.gov
04
Dates to Remember - City of Milwaukeecity.milwaukee.gov
05
Tax Doc
2025 Property Taxesbaysidewi.gov
06
Tax Doc
Property Tax Exemptions - City of Milwaukeecity.milwaukee.gov
07
Tax Doc
Homestead Tax Creditdocs.legis.wisconsin.gov
08
DOR Homestead Credit - Wisconsin Department of Revenuerevenue.wi.gov
09
Wisconsin Legislature: AB245: Bill Textdocs.legis.wisconsin.gov
10
EX-3.1sec.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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