News of the Day September 10, 2026
Wisconsin’s Total Property Tax Levy Sees Largest Increase in Nearly Two Decades

Gross property tax levies across Wisconsin collectively grew by 5.8% on December 2025 tax bills, the largest increase in nearly two decades.

This gross figure includes all levies imposed by all local governments and school districts in Wisconsin, before any state tax credits are applied to lower net bills for homeowners. Some areas saw much larger increases: gross levies for all taxing authorities in the city of Madison increased 11.9%, the most since 1985.

This increase primarily is due to school district tax levies. Key factors include voters in a large number of districts passing referenda to increase their tax levies, an increase to district revenue limits this year as a result of a partial veto by Gov. Tony Evers in the 2023-25 state budget, and a freeze in state general school aids by lawmakers and Evers in the 2025-27 state budget. Evers and lawmakers also sought
unsuccessfully last spring to pass legislation that would have reduced property and income taxes.

Meanwhile, equalized property values as of January 1, 2026, increased by 7.6% statewide over the prior year. While a robust rate of growth, this still represented the smallest increase since 2021. But it was sufficient to push Wisconsin past a major milestone, as total statewide equalized property values surpassed $1 trillion for the first time in January.