Homeowners and renters are missing out on millions of dollars in tax relief. Use the resources below to learn more.
Wisconsin
You may be eligible to receive money back
Wisconsin Program Overview
Property Tax-Aide features four property tax relief programs in Wisconsin, one of which is for senior homeowners. They are the Homestead Credit, School Property Tax Credit for Renters and Homeowners, Property Tax Deferral Loan Program (for seniors), and the Lottery and Gaming Credit.
The information on this page is updated as new information becomes available by the relevant tax agencies.
Homestead Credit
The Homestead Tax Credit directs property tax relief to low-income homeowners and renters. Relief is provided as a refundable credit which reduces individual income tax liability or provides a cash refund if the credit exceeds the liability.
The amount of the credit received by claimants depends on the interaction of household income and allowable property taxes or rent. The homestead credit formula includes the income threshold, the maximum income level and the maximum property taxes or rent constituting property taxes.
For renters, property taxes are considered 20% of rent if heat is included and 25% if heat is not included
The amount of the credit received by claimants depends on the interaction of household income and allowable property taxes or rent. The homestead credit formula includes the income threshold, the maximum income level and the maximum property taxes or rent constituting property taxes.
For renters, property taxes are considered 20% of rent if heat is included and 25% if heat is not included
Eligibility
Only residential property and up to one acre of surrounding land is eligible for this program.
- If a homestead is part of a farm, up to 120 acres are eligible.
The claimant must be a homeowner or renter when filing the claim and must have resided in Wisconsin for the previous whole prior year when filing the claim.
- The maximum income is $24,680 from prior calendar year. Household income is broadly defined to reflect most cash resources available to claimants. Income Includes all income that is taxable for Wisconsin income tax purposes and include those sources that are only partially taxable in Wisconsin and certain items that are excluded from taxation, such as social security benefits.
The claimant or claimant’s spouse must either:
- be 62 years of age or older by the last day of the year before the claim is filed, or
- be disabled; or
- have earned income during the year.
The claimant must be over 18 years of age but not claimed as a dependent during the year to which the claim relates, unless the claimant is 62
Application Deadline
- For most claimants, the deadline for filing a Homestead Credit Claim (Schedule H or H-EZ) is April 15, 2030. If you are a taxpayer with a fiscal taxable year (one ending on a date other than December 31), your deadline for filing Schedule H or H-EZ is 4 years, 3 1/2 months after the end of the fiscal taxable year to which the claim relates.
- Qualified applicants can file for years prior to 2025, going back to 2021. For example, for claim year 2021, applicants have until April 15, 2026 to file a Homestead Credit application.
- The deadlines for 2020 and prior year homestead credit claims are past and claims for those years can no longer be filed.
Required Documentation
- Your federal income tax return
- Wisconsin Income Tax Form 1
- Wisconsin Schedule H (Application for Homestead Credit)
- Rent certificate or property tax bill
- All other applicable income tax filing documents.
Resources & How to Apply
Apply:
To apply for the Wisconsin Homestead Credit, complete the appropriate homestead credit form and submit it with your Wisconsin income tax return.
You can download the required forms here:
Schedule H – Homestead Credit form
Schedule H-EZ – Homestead Credit form
Form 1 – Wisconsin Income Tax Return
Form 1 Instructions
Not all forms may be applicable so see the Claiming Homestead Credit webpage to see which ones are applicable to you.
Free help may be available if you need assistance completing the forms. You can locate a VITA or TCE application assistance site by calling 1 (800) 906-9887 (Wisconsin), visiting revenue.wi.gov and searching “VITA sites,” calling AARP Foundation at 1 (888) 227-7669, or dialing 211 for local free tax sites.
More information:
For more information and resources, please visit the official Homestead Credit webpage.
Questions:
If you have questions about your Homestead Credit claim, email [email protected]
or contact the Customer Service Bureau at (608) 266-2486.
School Property Tax Credit for Renters and Homeowners
You may claim a credit if you paid rent during 2025 for living quarters used as your primary residence OR you paid property taxes during 2025 on your home. You are eligible for a credit whether or not you claim homestead credit. The total of your renter’s and homeowner’s credits can’t be more than $300 ($150 if married filing a separate return or married filing as head of household).
Eligibility
- You may claim a credit if you paid rent during 2025 for living quarters used as your primary residence OR you paid property taxes during 2025 on your home. You are eligible for a credit whether or not you claim homestead credit on line 33 of you state income tax return.
- Eligible property is the primary residence of a Wisconsin resident who files a state income tax return.
- Since this is a non-refundable credit, the taxpayer must file state income tax returns and must have state income tax liability.
- You may not claim the school property tax credit if you or your spouse are claiming the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit.
Application Deadline
April 15, 2026
Required Documentation
- Wisconsin Income Tax Form 1
- You will need to know the amount of rent paid OR property taxes paid on the home in 2025
- All other applicable income tax filing documents.
Resources & How to Apply
Apply:
Claim this credit on your Wisconsin Income Tax return (Form 1). Download form and instructions here:
More Information:
Visit the Wisconsin Instructions for more information.
Questions:
During income tax filing season, if you need assistance with your application, contact a VITA or TCE application assistance option below:
- In Wisconsin, call 1 (800) 906-9887
- On the web, visit revenue.wi.gov and type “VITA sites” in the Search box
- Call AARP Foundation at 1 (888) 227-7669
- Call “211” for local free tax sites
Property Tax Deferral Loan Program
The Property Tax Deferral Loan Program, administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economin Development Authority (WHEDA), provides loans to help individuals age 65 or older pay their property taxes. Qualified applicants may participate even if they receive homestead credit. This loan program is subject to interest rates that may change each year.
Eligibility
- Only residential property is eligible for this program and up to 1 acre of surrounding land. Mobile homes are not eligible.
- The homeowner must be at least 65 or a qualifying veteran. If qualifying by age, any co-owner must be at least 60 years of age.
- The applicant must have, during the preceding year, lived in the home for at least 6 month. Temporary residency in a health care facility may be substituted for any portion of this 6-month residency
- The applicant must have had a total household income at or below $20,000. Household income includes the sources for the homestead tax credit, and includes all income that is taxable for Wisconsin income tax purposes, plus nontaxable income such as Social Security, supplemental security income, and pensions.
- The amount of outstanding liens and judgments on a dwelling may not exceed 33% of the value of the dwelling, including property tax deferral and housing rehabilitation loans. Additionally, total outstanding liens, judgments, mortgages and delinquent property taxes may not exceed 33% of the value of the housing unit, as determined by the most recent property tax assessment.
- The applicant must have fire and extended casualty insurance coverage on the home and permit WHEDA to be named as a lienholder on the policy.
Application Deadline
Applications for property tax deferral loans must be filed with WHEDA between January 1 and June 30 of the year in which the taxes are due.
Required Documentation
- All applicants must pay a a fee of $225 ($75 title search fee; $120 for a Brokers Price Opinion; and $30 to record the lein) each year a loan application is submitted.
Resources & How to Apply
Apply:
Potential applicants must call the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority at 1-800-755-7835 to apply.
More information:
All questions should also be directed to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority at (608) 266‑7884 (Madison), (414) 227‑4039 (Milwaukee), or 1‑800‑755‑7835.
Lottery and Gaming Credit
The lottery and gaming credit is a credit that provides direct property tax relief to qualifying taxpayers on their property tax bills. Lottery proceeds are paid into a separate segregated state fund. The lottery credit is displayed on tax bills as a reduction of property taxes due.
Eligibility
Applicant must own and occupy the property as the principal residences as of January 1, 2026.
- Principal residence that is a mobile home subject to a municipal monthly parking fee which is equivalent to a property tax are also eligible for the credit.
Application Deadline
- If you are eligible for the credit as of the January 1 certification date, but your property tax bill does not show the credit, you may:
- Claim the credit by applying to the municipal (town, village or city) treasurer where the property is located, by January 31 after you receive your property tax bill
- File a late claim application (if you missed the January 31 deadline) with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue by October 1, after your property tax bill is issued
Required Documentation
- LI-100 Lottery and Gaming Application
- To see if you received the credit, review your property tax bill. The lottery and gaming credit is located below the Total (tax) and First Dollar Credit lines on your tax bill. If an amount is listed on this line, the property received the credit.
Resources & How to Apply
Apply:
It’s best to apply for the credit using the Lottery and Gaming Credit Online Application Portal. However, you can also mail or email a PDF application (Form LC-100) to your county treasurer. Find links to both the online portal and the PDF form here:
Lottery and Gaming Credit Online Application Portal
Form LC-100
More information:
Vist the Wisconsin Lottery and Gaming Credit Program webpage
Questions:
For questions, contact your county treasurer if outside the city of Milwaukee or the city of Milwaukee treasurer if your property is within the city of Milwaukee.
OR
Contact the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at [email protected], (608) 266-9457, or (608) 266-0772
Contact your county treasurer:
Take the Next Step
Take the first step toward property tax relief — use the resources below to find application links or contact your local tax authority for help.
Your state accepts digital and mailed applications
Property Tax-Aide has independently selected the property tax relief programs featured on this website that we think are the most relevant and beneficial to older adults. It is not an exhaustive list of all property tax relief programs available in each state. Please consult your local tax agency for a comprehensive listing of property tax relief programs in your area.