Tax & Lottery Credit Information

Wisconsin Property Taxes 

Pay Your Taxes Online:

You may use www.paymentservicenetwork.com  This is a third-party vendor and a convenience fee will be charged. The credit card fee is 2.75% or $1.00 if you use your checking account. You will be informed of the amount prior to authorizing the charge to your credit card. This service is only available from December 1 - January 31 each year. See FAQ's below for information specific to the City of Fitchburg. 

NEW - USPS Postmark Change - Plan AHEAD for Tax Payments

Starting August 2025, most letters will no longer be postmarked the day they are dropped off at your local post office. Instead, they will be postmarked the next day when processed at a regional mail facility. 

What does this mean for you? 
- Mail sent Monday–Friday at a local post office will likely show a postmark one day later. 
- Mail sent on Saturday won’t be processed until Monday, so the postmark could be two days later. 
- If Monday is a holiday, the delay could be three days. 

This is important because many laws rely on the postmark date as proof of mailing. If you’re sending tax payments or other time-sensitive documents, mail early to avoid penalties. 

For more details, visit: www.wislawnow.com/2025/11/postmark-changes-at-the-post-office-and-late-mail

2025  Property Tax Breakdown - YouTube

 We have a full breakdown of your property tax bill with the city's Finance Director, Misty Dodge. 

Property Tax Payment Frequently Asked Questions - YouTube

Do you have questions about your property taxes? We have you covered as we go through some of the frequently asked questions about property taxes.

Tax Bill Calculation Explained

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB8LUlz4YWE

Prepayments of 2026 Taxes

Pre-payments for 2026 property taxes is not allowed until August 1, 2026, per Wisconsin State Statute 74.13. You may pay any amount up to the amount of your 2025 tax bill.

Lottery Credits

Do you qualify for a lottery credit?  Check out this poster provided by the WI Department of Revenue: https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Documents/LGC-Info.pdf  or check out our video: https://youtu.be/Wxw-5fVF1Gw

To qualify for a lottery credit you must own your home and use it as your primary residence as of January 1, 2025. If your home was newly built and completed after January 1, 2025, your tax bill does not qualify for a credit in 2025. It is best to apply for the credit using the Lottery and Gaming Credit Online Application Portal. Apply online 

For additional questions, please visit the WI DOR website. If you received a lottery credit penalty on your tax bill, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at 608-266-0772 or 608-266-9457 for more information. 

First Dollar Credit

Every taxable parcel in the State of Wisconsin qualifies for the First Dollar Credit provided that parcel contains real property improvement.  This includes business, commercial and private property.  Unlike the Lottery and Gaming Credit, the property does NOT need to be the primary residence of the owner.  This credit should be automatically applied to all qualifying properties.  If the property tax bill has an amount shown in the "Ass'd Value Improvements" boxes, then that property should receive the credit. 

Real Estate Tax Newsletter
(mailing date for 2025 tax bills was December 11, 2025)

City of Fitchburg Newsletter - 2025
Check out our newsletter overview on You Tube

As of February 6, 2026, payments should be made payable to Dane County Treasurer and mailed to:

 Dane County Treasurer
 P.O. Box 1299
 Madison, WI 53701-1299

Property tax information is available online at Access Dane. Please contact Dane County Treasurer for all delinquent real estate tax information at 608-266-4151.

Frequently Asked Questions on City Taxes

In Person 
Mail - Checks can be mailed to 5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711 Do not send cash payments in the mail.
Online- You may use www.paymentservicenetwork.com  this is a third-party vendor and a convenience fee will be charged.  You will be informed of the amount prior to authorizing the charge to your credit card. This service is no longer available after January 31.
Drop Box - There is a drop box available in the foyer of City Hall.

What hours are you open?

You may pay your tax bill in person Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

We will be closed on the following days:
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at noon
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Monday, January 19, 2026

Outside of the hours we are open, you may use the drop box located in the foyer at 5520 Lacy Road. This is checked daily. Any payments put in the drop box on December 30 and 31 will be dated December 31 for receipt purposes. All mail postmarked December 31 will be back dated to December 31.

How can I obtain a pet license?

All pet licenses should be completed online. You can register, upload forms and pay online. For more information, please follow this link to the City Clerk's page. https://www.fitchburgwi.gov/165/Pet-Licenses

Can I pay my utility and tax bill with one check?

Payments for utility bills, tax bills or any other payment to the City should NOT be combined on one check. You can, however, mail payments together. 

How do I change the mailing address on my tax bill?

You can make the change on the portion of the tax bill mailed with your payment and the city will make the change.

How do I change the ownership name on my tax bill?

The City cannot make changes to the name(s) on a tax bill. Instead contact the Dane County Register of Deeds or call (608) 266-4141 for a recorded message with contact information.

I just got my real estate tax bill in the mail.  What do I do now?

The property owner is responsible for paying the bill.  If you have a mortgage on your property, contact your lender for information on how payment from your escrow is handled.

I just got my escrow check.  What do I do now?

Please make sure that your check is properly endorsed before it is given to the City.  Checks made payable jointly or singly to the City cannot be deposited in your personal bank account and will not be endorsed back to the taxpayer.

My escrow check is for more than my taxes.  What happens?

No immediate refunds will be issued. A refund check will be issued for the difference within two to three weeks.  Refunds are made to the owner of record.  You may also arrange for your escrow agent to reissue a check for the correct amount.

Do we both have to sign the escrow check?

If your check is made out to John AND Jane Owner, then, yes, you must both endorse the check.  If your check is made out to John OR Jane Owner, then one of you can endorse the check.

How do I obtain a receipt?

If you come in person, we will print a receipt.  If you send your payment via mail, you can include a self addressed stamped envelope with your payment.  If your escrow agent sends in your payment, you can send us a SASE and we will send you a receipt. Once we enter your payment, you will also be able to get a receipt from Access Dane the next day. 

I recently purchased this property.  I thought taxes were already paid.  Why am I getting this bill?

You should read your closing documents to determine if any portion or pro-ration of taxes were credited to you by the previous owner.  You are responsible for any taxes which were not paid or credited as of closing.

What if I disagree with my tax bill?

Early in the year, the assessed value for the property is established by the assessor.  Around that time, a property owner may file an objection to their assessed value.  However, the period for appealing has passed by the time taxes are determined.  You can find more information in the Guide for Property Owners.

Contacts

Questions on Other Tax Jurisdictions