Paying Your Property Taxes

Wisconsin taxing districts (municipalities, schools, counties, etc.) set their budgets in the fall, usually November. After each district has set its levy for the next year, property taxes are calculated and bills are prepared. This means bills are usually received by taxpayers in early- to mid-December.

Because of the deductability of property tax on federal income taxes, some property owners pay all of the bill by December 31. However, all that is required is that the first installment be paid by January 31. The first installment is usually about one-half of the total due and is paid directly to the City of Monona.

Paying Your Second Installment

For those who choose to pay in two installments, the second installment is due by July 31, and a statement for the installment is mailed in May. (See below for an extension to the second installment due date due to COVID-19.) The second installment must be paid to the Dane County Treasurer.

The second installment of your property taxes (if you chose to pay in two installments) must be made payable to the Dane County Treasurer at P.O. Box 1299, Madison, WI 53701-1299

Penalties/Interest Waived Until Oct. 1 for Second Installments

Because many taxpayers are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dane County Board has authorized all taxation districts to waive interest and penalities on property tax installments. The Monona City Council then adopted a resolution waiving all otherwise applicable penalties and interest on any installment payment of general property taxes payable in 2020 on property within the City of Monona that is due and payable after April 1, 2020, provided that the total amount due and payable in 2020 is paid on or before October 1, 2020. Interest and penalties will accrue from October 1, 2020 for any property taxes payable in 2020 that are delinquent after October 1, 2020.

This means that taxpayers who have second installment property tax payments due July 31, 2020 will now have until Oct. 1, 2020 to make those payments, and no interest or penalties will accrue until after Oct. 1. Any balances after Oct. 1 will be considered delinquent.