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. 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
- The Homestead Credit is filed as part of the Wisconsin Income Tax return. The 2023 income tax return is due April 15, 2024. The return can be filed electronically.
- For most claimants, the deadline for filing a Homestead Credit Claim (Schedule H or H-EZ) is April 17, 2028. 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 2023, going back to 2020. For example, for claim year 2020, applicants have until April 15, 2025 to file a Homestead Credit application.
- The deadlines for 2019 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.
Additional Information & Resources
For more information and resources, please visit the official Homestead Credit webpage
If you have a question about your Homestead credit claim, email [email protected]
Or
Contact the Customer Service Bureau at (608) 266-2486
To locate a VITA or TCE application assistance site:
- 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
You can download a Schedule H – Homestead Credit form here, a Schedule H-EZ Homestead Credit form here, and a Form 1 WI Income Tax here. Or click the links under the “Your Resources” tab found on this page.
School Property Tax Credit for Renters and Homeowners
The benefit for this non-refundable income tax credit is 12% of the first $2,500 of property taxes or rent paid. For singles and married people filing jointly the maximum credit is $300. For heads of households and married persons filing separately, the maximum credit is $150.
For renters, property taxes are considered 20% of rent if heat is included and 25% if heat is not included.
For renters, property taxes are considered 20% of rent if heat is included and 25% if heat is not included.
Eligibility
- You may claim a credit if you paid rent during 2023 for living quarters used as your primary residence OR you paid property taxes during 2023 on your home. You are eligible for a credit whether or not you claim homestead credit on line 32 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, 2024
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 2023
- All other applicable income tax filing documents.
Additional Information & Resources
Contact [email protected] or visit the Wisconsin Instructions for more information.
Need help filing your taxes?
Locate a VITA or TCE application assistance site 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 Wisconsin property tax deferral loan program, administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), allows low-income elderly homeowners and veterans to convert home equity into cash to pay property taxes.
Loans may be used to pay all or a portion of current property taxes and special assessments due and may include any interest or penalties on delinquent property taxes. The maximum annual loan to an individual borrower is $3,525.
The principal and interest due for tax deferral loans do not have to be repaid until the ownership of the property transfers or the loan recipient no longer lives in the home. Upon transfer of ownership of the property, or when the participant ceases to live in the residence, the total loan, with interest, is repaid from the proceeds of the estate or sale of the property.
Loans may be used to pay all or a portion of current property taxes and special assessments due and may include any interest or penalties on delinquent property taxes. The maximum annual loan to an individual borrower is $3,525.
The principal and interest due for tax deferral loans do not have to be repaid until the ownership of the property transfers or the loan recipient no longer lives in the home. Upon transfer of ownership of the property, or when the participant ceases to live in the residence, the total loan, with interest, is repaid from the proceeds of the estate or sale of the property.
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 50% 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 by June 30 of the year in which the taxes are due. For example, applications filed by June 30, 2023, if approved, would receive loans for 2022 property taxes payable in 2023. Receipt of a property tax deferral loan does not affect an applicant’s eligibility for farmland preservation or homestead tax credits. WHEDA begins accepting applications approximately each December 1 for property taxes due beginning on the succeeding January 31.
Required Documentation
- All applicants must pay a $75 title search fee each year a loan application is submitted, and a $30 fee at the time of their first application for recording the loan with registers of deeds.
Additional Information & Resources
For more information:
Info Sheet: Property Tax Deferral Loan Program
For questions and for those interested in applying for property tax deferral loan should contact the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority at 1-800-755-7835
Lottery and Gaming Credit
The program provides a direct property tax relief to qualifying taxpayers on their property tax bills. The lottery credit is displayed on the tax bills as a reduction of property taxes due.
The credit is funded by revenues from the state lottery. Based on available funds and an estimated number of properties qualifying for the credit, the state Department of Revenue determines a maximum credit value. The credit amount for each qualifying property is calculated by multiplying the maximum credit value (or the actual value of the property if that value is less) by the applicable school tax rate.
For homeowners, the credit is equal to the school tax rate multiplied by the annually determined credit base amount
The credit is funded by revenues from the state lottery. Based on available funds and an estimated number of properties qualifying for the credit, the state Department of Revenue determines a maximum credit value. The credit amount for each qualifying property is calculated by multiplying the maximum credit value (or the actual value of the property if that value is less) by the applicable school tax rate.
For homeowners, the credit is equal to the school tax rate multiplied by the annually determined credit base amount
Eligibility
Applicant must own and occupy the property as the principal residences as of January 1, 2023.
- 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
- The claim for 2024 property tax, payable in 2025, is due January 31, 2024.
- 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
- Claim the credit by applying to the municipal treasurer where the property is located, by January 31, after you receive your property tax bill. The treasurer will calculate the credit amount you should receive and either credits your tax bill, or if you already paid the taxes, refunds the credit to you.
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.
Additional Information & Resources
For more information:
Wisconsin Lottery and Gaming Credit Program webpage
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:
Your Resources
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.