Options for City of Milwaukee Property Tax Payments

The City of Milwaukee recently distributed property tax bills for the 2020 assessment, payable in 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the payment options have changed.  The following payment options apply for the City of Milwaukee only:

Pay Online

Visit www.milwaukee.gov/treasurer to pay by credit or debit card. While there is typically a 2.75% convenience fee to pay with a credit or debit card, the City is waiving the convenience fees for such payments during the period of December 21, 2020 through December 31, 2020. The 2.75% convenience fee will be applied to credit or debit card payments after December 31, 2020.

Pay by Phone

Call (414) 286-2240 for the Customer Service Division to pay by phone. The 2.75% convenience fee for paying with credit or debit card is also waived for phone payments through December 31, 2020.

Pay By Mail

Use the return remittance envelope included with your tax bill to pay by check via the U.S. Postal Service. Cash payments are not permitted.

Pay In-Person

While in-person property tax payments will not be accepted at the Office of the City Treasurer, taxpayers still have the option to use Drop Boxes that are located throughout the City. Use the return remittance envelope included with your tax bill to pay by check. Cash payments are not permitted. Deposit the envelope in any of the following Drop Boxes:

• Inside City Hall Market Street Entrance
  • Available 24 hours a day, all year round
• Outside the Municipal Building on Market Street, all year round
  • Available 24 hours a day, all year round (Access Street Map)
• Broadway Entrance to Municipal Building
  • Available only when building is open, all year round
• All Seven Police District Stations
  • Available 24 hours a day, from 12/21/2020 to 02/05/2021 (Access Locations Map)

To be eligible for an income tax deduction for tax year 2020, your property tax account with the City must be paid in full before 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020. The Office of the City Treasurer will mail a property tax payment receipt within ten days of payment processing in December and January. For additional information regarding the payment of property taxes for the City of Milwaukee, visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/treasurer for the Office of the City Treasurer's website.

While many taxpayers may not realize the impact an increased assessment has for their property until receiving their tax bills, it is too late seek a refund unless a timely objection was previously made. However, looking into the 2021 tax year, the COVID-19 pandemic may have had some impact on your next year's property values. To explore your specific situation please contact Don Millis, Kristina Somers, Sara Rapkin, Shawn Lovell, or any attorney within Reinhart’s State and Local Tax Planning, Controversy and Litigation practice to discuss further.