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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Waushara County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Waushara County, Wisconsin operates on a property tax system that funds essential local services including public schools, county government operations, fire protection, and municipal services. Property taxes are the primary source of revenue for these critical community functions. The county's property tax rate for 2025 is estimated to increase by 4.3% over 2024 levels, though final rates have not yet been determined by the county assessor's office.

Property tax rates in Waushara County vary significantly by location within the county due to different combinations of special taxing districts, school districts, and municipal boundaries. Your actual tax rate depends on which city, town, or village you live in, as well as which school district and any special assessment districts (such as fire districts or lake districts) serve your property. The Wisconsin state base rate guideline of approximately 1% serves as a reference point, but actual effective rates may be higher or lower depending on your specific location and local service needs.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentEstimated Rate RangeDescription
County General0.2% - 0.4%County government operations, sheriff, courts
School Districts0.6% - 1.2%K-12 education funding, varies by district
Municipal0.1% - 0.6%City/town/village services, varies by municipality
Technical College0.05% - 0.1%Wisconsin technical college system
Special Districts0.05% - 0.3%Fire protection, lake districts, sanitary districts
Total Estimated Range1.0% - 2.6%Varies significantly by location

Rates shown are estimates for FY 2025-2026 levy year. Final rates will be determined after county budget adoption. Contact the Waushara County Treasurer at (920) 787-0444 for specific rates in your tax district. Special district participation varies by property location - not all properties are subject to all districts.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Waushara 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 Waushara County are additional property tax bills issued when there are significant changes to a property's assessed value during the tax year. Common triggers include new construction completion, major improvements like additions or renovations, changes in property ownership that remove exemptions, or corrections to assessment errors. These supplemental bills ensure that tax obligations reflect the property's current status rather than waiting for the next regular assessment cycle.

The supplemental tax is calculated by applying the current tax rate to the difference between the new assessed value and the previous assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining. For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in March and your tax rate is 2.0%, you would owe a supplemental tax of approximately $1,667 ($100,000 × 2.0% × 10 months remaining ÷ 12 months). Supplemental tax bills are typically issued 30-60 days after the assessment change is processed and have their own payment deadline separate from regular property tax installments.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home in Wautoma

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit Application: -$3,000 (estimated)
  • Net Taxable Value: $297,000
  • Tax Rate: 2.1% (estimated)
  • Annual Tax: $6,237
  • Monthly Escrow: $520

Example 2: $600,000 Home in Wild Rose

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit Application: -$6,000 (estimated, income dependent)
  • Net Taxable Value: $594,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.8% (estimated)
  • Annual Tax: $10,692
  • Monthly Escrow: $891

Example 3: $1,000,000 Lakefront Property

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Limited Homestead Credit: -$2,000 (high income limitation)
  • Net Taxable Value: $998,000
  • Tax Rate: 2.4% (estimated, includes lake district)
  • Annual Tax: $23,952
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,996

Note: All tax credits require annual application and approval. Homestead credits are income-dependent and must be applied for each tax year. Actual rates vary by specific tax districts.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Waushara County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, especially when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80%. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments along with your mortgage payment, then pays your property taxes directly to the county treasurer when installments are due. The monthly escrow amount is calculated by estimating your annual property tax bill and dividing by 12, often with a small cushion to account for tax increases.

Lenders typically conduct an annual escrow analysis to ensure adequate funds are collected. If property taxes increase significantly, you may face an escrow shortage requiring either a lump-sum payment or increased monthly payments. You can verify your property tax amounts by checking your annual tax statement or contacting the Waushara County Treasurer's office. If you pay taxes through escrow, ensure your lender has current contact information and review your escrow statements annually for accuracy. Property owners who pay off their mortgage or reach 20% equity may have the option to cancel escrow and pay taxes directly.

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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Waushara County for the current fiscal year? A: For 2024 real estate taxes, the final installment is due July 31, 2025. The first installment or full payment for 2025 taxes will be due January 31, 2026. Payment deadlines are strictly enforced with penalties applied to late payments.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: Wisconsin offers several tax credits including the Homestead Credit, Veterans Disability Credit, and Senior Citizen/Disabled Person Credit. ALL CREDITS REQUIRE ANNUAL APPLICATION - they are not automatic. Contact your county assessor for specific forms and deadlines, typically due by March 1st annually.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit limits the increase in your property's assessed value for tax purposes, typically capping annual increases at around 10% rather than reducing the market value. This is income-dependent and requires annual filing. It does NOT reduce your home's market value but limits assessment growth for tax calculation purposes.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Waushara County? A: Wisconsin law requires properties to be assessed annually, though not all properties receive physical inspections each year. Full county reassessments typically occur every 3-5 years. You can appeal your assessment through the Board of Review process, typically held in May.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Late payments incur interest charges and penalties. Contact the Waushara County Treasurer at (920) 787-0444 for current penalty rates and payment options if you've missed a deadline.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Yes, Waushara County offers online payment options. Visit the county treasurer's website or call (920) 787-0444 for payment portal access and accepted payment methods.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within Waushara County? A: Different combinations of school districts, municipalities, and special districts (fire, lake, sanitary) create varying tax rates. Properties in areas with more services typically have higher rates to fund those additional services.

Q: What triggers a supplemental tax bill? A: New construction completion, major improvements, ownership changes affecting exemptions, or assessment corrections can trigger supplemental taxes. These are prorated based on when changes occur during the tax year and have separate payment deadlines from regular installments.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
Real Estate Tax Deadline July 31 - - Waushara County WIco.waushara.wi.us
02
Tax Doc
Property Tax Estimates Under 2025 Act 15docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
03
County
Waushara County WI - Official Websiteco.waushara.wi.us
04
County
Treasurer - Waushara County WIco.waushara.wi.us
05
County
Quick Links - Waushara County WIco.waushara.wi.us
06
Wisconsinirs.gov
07
DOR Homestead Credit - Wisconsin Department of Revenuerevenue.wi.gov
08
County
waushara county, wisconsin financial statements and ...co.waushara.wi.us
09
State
0100.10 - Signed Final Report and Financial Statements ( ...co.waushara.wi.us
10
CZIC-hd226-w6b66-1975.xmlgovinfo.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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