Appealing Your Property Tax Assessment in Wisconsin
Deadlines and steps to appeal a property tax assessment in Wisconsin, and when property taxes are due.
Short answer: First talk to the assessor or attend Open Book, when the assessment roll is open for review and the assessor can still make changes. The Board of Review starts at least seven days after Open Book. Wisconsin Department of Revenue, 2026 Guide for Property Owners
| Appealing your assessment | First talk to the assessor or attend Open Book, when the assessment roll is open for review and the assessor can still make changes. The Board of Review starts at least seven days after Open Book. To object, give the board's clerk written or oral notice of intent at least 48 hours before the first scheduled meeting, and file the objection form (PA-115A) before or during the first two hours of that meeting (the board may waive the 48-hour notice for good cause, and may allow filing up to the end of the fifth day for extraordinary circumstances). A property owner must appear before the Board of Review before appealing further. Board decisions may be appealed to circuit court by certiorari within 90 days after notification, or to the Department of Revenue under sec. 70.85 within 20 days after delivery of the decision (30 days after the clerk's mailing if no return receipt), with a $100 fee; the DOR route is not available for property assessed over $1 million or in first-class cities. |
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| When property taxes are due | Tax bills are distributed no later than the third Monday in December. Unless the local government sets a different schedule, taxes paid in installments are due January 31 (first) and July 31 (second). If an installment is not received within five working days after its due date, the entire remaining balance becomes delinquent (as of February 1 for the first installment), and interest back to February 1 applies. |
More Wisconsin property tax & homestead exemptions
- The Homestead Exemption in Wisconsin
- Senior, Veteran and Disability Property Tax Relief in Wisconsin
- All Wisconsin property tax & homestead exemptions rules
FAQ
How do you appeal a property tax assessment in Wisconsin?
First talk to the assessor or attend Open Book, when the assessment roll is open for review and the assessor can still make changes. The Board of Review starts at least seven days after Open Book. To object, give the board's clerk written or oral notice of intent at least 48 hours before the first scheduled meeting, and file the objection form (PA-115A) before or during the first two hours of that meeting (the board may waive the 48-hour notice for good cause, and may allow filing up to the end of the fifth day for extraordinary circumstances). A property owner must appear before the Board of Review before appealing further. Board decisions may be appealed to circuit court by certiorari within 90 days after notification, or to the Department of Revenue under sec. 70.85 within 20 days after delivery of the decision (30 days after the clerk's mailing if no return receipt), with a $100 fee; the DOR route is not available for property assessed over $1 million or in first-class cities.
When are property taxes due in Wisconsin?
Tax bills are distributed no later than the third Monday in December. Unless the local government sets a different schedule, taxes paid in installments are due January 31 (first) and July 31 (second). If an installment is not received within five working days after its due date, the entire remaining balance becomes delinquent (as of February 1 for the first installment), and interest back to February 1 applies.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.