2017 Property Tax Bill Update

​September 22, 2017

To: Municipal Clerks and Treasurers
      County Clerks and Treasurers
      Real Property Listers


The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) would like to inform you of the property tax bill changes implemented for the 2017 tax year.


2017 Property Tax Bills

Required – Updated Backer

Within the 2017-19 budget (2017 Wisconsin Act 59), the state eliminated the forestation state tax. As a result, DOR updated the property tax bill backer, which is available on our Property Tax Bills web page. The updated backer must be used for 2017 property tax bills.

Referenda/Resolution Information

State law requires that the items listed below are displayed on Wisconsin property tax bills for each county, municipality, school district and technical college that has a temporary increase in tax levy approved after December 31, 2014, by referendum or resolution (for Towns with a population under 3,000). 

Required Items to Display on Wisconsin Property Tax Bills

  • Total amount of temporary increase – the total amount levied in the current year in the municipality due to the temporary increase
  • Total amount of increase applied to the property – this amount must be calculated (see below)
  • Year increase no longer applies 
  • Note: Each referendum or resolution must be listed separately

Requirements for Counties/School Districts/Technical Colleges

  • Report your referenda data in a separate section on the 2017 apportionment forms
  • Report to municipalities:
    • Total current year tax levy (same process as prior years)
    • For each referendum – total amount of tax levy applied to the municipality and the year it no longer applies

Requirements for Municipalities

  • On our Property Tax Forms web page, complete Form PA-687: Property Tax Bill - Referenda/Resolution Data
  • For the county, school district, and technical college, enter the referenda information they provided
  • For your municipality, enter any applicable referenda or resolution information
  • Enter the Total Final Assessed Value (Real Estate and Personal Property), including Equated Manufacturing property for each district
  • Note: The tax rates automatically calculate
  • Provide the completed form to your County Treasurer or Real Property Lister

If you have questions, contact us at lgs@wisconsin.gov.


Certification statement