74.13 Taxes paid in advance of levy.

(1) Treasurer shall accept. The taxation district treasurer shall accept payment of general property taxes, special assessments, special charges and special taxes in advance of the tax levy, subject to the following:

(a) General property taxes, special assessments, special charges and special taxes may be paid in advance of the levy either by single payment or payment in installments of not less than $100. The total taxes paid in advance of the levy may not exceed the total taxes previously levied against the property, as shown on the previous tax roll.

(b) Except as provided in sub. (3), general property taxes, special assessments, special charges and special taxes may be paid in advance of the levy during the period from August 1 until the 3rd Monday in December.

(c) The taxation district treasurer shall hold general property taxes, special assessments, special charges and special taxes paid in advance of the levy. Those taxes, assessments and charges are subject to settlement under s. 74.23. Any interest earned prior to settlement under s. 74.23 on general property taxes, special assessments, special charges or special taxes paid in advance of the levy accrues to the taxation district to which the general property taxes, special assessments, special charges or special taxes were paid.

(d) Upon receipt of the tax roll, general property taxes, special assessments, special charges and special taxes which have been paid in advance shall be credited against the general property taxes, special assessments, special charges and special taxes against the property shown in the tax roll. If the total paid general property taxes, special assessments, special charges and special taxes paid in advance exceeds the total shown in the tax roll, the taxation district treasurer shall return the excess to the person who made the advance payment.

(2) Advance payment depositories. The taxation district treasurer may designate one or more public depositories, among those previously designated under s. 34.05, to which taxpayers may make payments in advance of the tax levy. A receipt for a payment in advance of the levy issued by a designated public depository has the same legal status as a receipt issued by the taxation district treasurer.

(3) Advance payment when ceasing business. Personal property taxes on property used in a commercial enterprise which is ceasing business may be paid in advance of the tax levy at any time before the 3rd Monday in December of the year in which business ceases.

History: 1987 a. 378.