Wisconsin State Taxes

Wisconsin Income Tax

Wisconsin’s individual income tax rates range from 3.50% to 7.65%, depending on the taxpayer’s income and filing status.

Wisconsin Income Tax Rates – Single or Head of Household

If taxable income is:	The tax is:
Not over $14,680	3.50%
Over $14,680 but not over $50,480	4.40%
Over $50,480 but not over $323,290	5.30%
Over $323,290	7.65%

Wisconsin Income Tax Rates – Married Filing Separately

If taxable income is:	The tax is:
Not over $9,790	3.50%
Over $9,790 but not over $33,650	4.40%
Over $33,650 but not over $215,530	5.30%
Over $215,530	7.65%

Wisconsin Income Tax Rates – Married Filing Jointly

If taxable income is:	The tax is:
Not over $19,580	3.50%
Over $19,580 but not over $67,300	4.40%
Over $67,300 but not over $431,060	5.30%
Over $431,060	7.65%

Who Must File?

Taxpayers who meet the requirements listed in the chart below are required to file a Wisconsin state income tax return.

Filing Status	Age at the End of the Year	Full-Year Residents Gross Income	Part-Year/Nonresidents Gross Income
Single	Under age 65	$13,930 or more	$2,000 or more
Single	Age 65+	$14,180 or more	$2,000 or more
Married Filing Jointly	Both spouses under 65	$25,890 or more	$2,000 or more
	One spouse 65+	$26,140 or more
	Both spouses 65+	$26,390 or more
Married Filing Separately	Under 65	$12,330 or more (each spouse – must use Form 1)	$2,000 or more (combined income of both spouses)
	65+	$12,580 or more (each spouse – must use Form 1)
Head of Household	Under 65	$17,790 or more	$2,000 or more
	65+	$18,040 or more

Those who can be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return are also required to file if either of the following applies:

1. They have gross income of more than $1,300 and it includes at least $451 of unearned (non-wage) income, or
2. They have gross income of more than:
   • $13,230 (single)
   • $24,490 (married filing jointly)
   • $11,630 (married filing separately)
   • $17,090 (head of household)

Wisconsin Sales Tax

Wisconsin has a state sales tax rate of 5%. Counties may levy an additional sales tax of .5%. The majority of counties impose a combined sales tax rate of 5.5%. Waukesha and Winnebago Counties do not levy a county sales tax.

Wisconsin Property Taxes

Wisconsin levies one of the highest tax rates in the country. It collects an average of 1.59% of a property’s assessed value as tax per year.

The median property tax in Wisconsin is $3,932. Dane County has the highest average property tax at $6,103, while Iron County has the lowest at $1,761.

Wisconsin Property Tax

Highest	$6103
Median	$3932
Lowest	$1761

Yearly Cost Per Resident

Wisconsin Tax Holidays

There are no sales tax holidays scheduled in Wisconsin at this time.

Wisconsin Tax Relief

Dealing with overdue Wisconsin income taxes can be stressful, especially as penalties and interest keep adding to your outstanding balance. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) may also take steps to collect unpaid taxes, which can create additional financial challenges. Whether your tax debt resulted from unfiled returns, unexpected financial hardship, or outstanding business tax obligations, addressing the issue sooner rather than later may help prevent the situation from becoming more complicated.

If you’re struggling to pay your Wisconsin tax bill in full, there may be options available to help you resolve what you owe. Depending on your financial circumstances and eligibility, you may be able to establish a payment plan, request a Compromise of Taxes, or explore other available tax relief options. Taking action before collection efforts escalate may also help you avoid or address enforcement measures such as tax liens, wage garnishments, bank levies, and other collection actions.

Understanding Wisconsin’s tax collection process and the resolution options that may be available can help you make informed decisions about your next steps. By addressing your outstanding balance and finding a suitable solution, you can work toward resolving your Wisconsin tax debt and bringing your account back into good standing.

Common Wisconsin State Tax Problems

How Wisconsin Collects Tax Debt

Wisconsin considers your income tax delinquent once the due date of assessment passes and after your appeal rights have expired. At this point, the state files a Declaration of Delinquency certifying the account as delinquent. Your account will be immediately penalized 35% of the amount due, or $35, whichever is greater. The debt will also be charged interest at an annual rate of 18% (1.5% per month).

Failure to voluntarily find a payment resolution will result in the state taking enforced collection actions, such as:

• Wage attachments (garnishment)
• Tax warrants (liens)
• Bank levies
• Tax refund interceptions (offset)
• Asset seizure
• Public posting of your name on the internet

Initial billing notice sent to taxpayer

Declaration of Delinquency

Forced collection actions

Wisconsin State Tax Relief Options

Wisconsin offers a few relief options, including:

• Payment Plans – If you can’t pay your income tax bill in full, you can request a payment plan and pay over several months.
• Compromise of Taxes – Taxpayers with severely limited resources or extremely large tax debt balances may be able to settle for less than they owe through a Compromise of Taxes.

If you’re experiencing financial hardship and can’t pay your Wisconsin income tax bill, contact the Department of Revenue as soon as possible to avoid collection actions.

When to Seek Tax Relief Help

If you’re experiencing any of the following, it may be time to explore your tax relief options:

The sooner you address your tax debt, the more options you may have available to resolve your balance and minimize additional collection actions.

Wisconsin Tax Relief FAQs

How do I set up an Wisconsin payment plan?

You may request a payment plan online, by email, or by postal mail.

If you are registered for a My Tax Account, you can log in and select “Manage My Collection” and then select “New Plan” under “Payment Plan.” For those who don’t have an account, go to My Tax Account and select “Request a Payment Plan” under the “Additional Services” section and follow the steps provided.

Additionally, you can complete Form A-771 and send it to DORCompliance@wisconsin.gov or mail it to:

Compliance Bureau
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
PO Box 8901
Madison, WI 53708-8901

There is a $20 setup fee, and a warrant (tax lien) will likely be filed against your property. The state also imposes a collection fee equal to 6.5% of what you owe (min. of $35). Interest is charged at 18% per year on outstanding tax debt.

What happens if I ignore Wisconsin tax notices?

If you don’t pay your Wisconsin income taxes and ignore repeated requests for payment, the state will take aggressive collection actions, including tax warrants, wage attachments, asset seizure and more.

Can Wisconsin garnish my wages for unpaid taxes?

Yes, Wisconsin can garnish up to 25% of your gross earnings per pay period.

Can Wisconsin levy my bank account?

Yes. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue can seize funds from your bank accounts if you have unpaid taxes.

How long does Wisconsin have to collect back taxes?

Wisconsin can collect on an assessed tax warrant for 20 years (for warrants entered after 5/5/2004) from the date it was entered with the clerk of the circuit court. If you never filed or submitted a fraudulent return, there is no statute of limitations.

Wisconsin Tax Resources

If you need assistance preparing your Wisconsin state taxes, you can speak with a tax professional from Tax Defense Network by calling 855-476-6920.

You can also visit the Wisconsin Department of Revenue website for additional resources.

• Customer Contact Center: 608-266-2486
• Wisconsin eFile
• Payment Options
• Forms & Instructions