79.10 Wisconsin state property tax relief.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(b) “Average school tax levies" means the average of the school tax levies for the 3 years preceding the assessment year to which the tax credit is to apply.

(d) “Municipality" means any town, village or city in this state. Where a municipality is located in more than one county the portion thereof in each county shall be considered a separate municipality.

(dm) “Principal dwelling" means any dwelling that is used by the owner of the dwelling as a primary residence on January 1 of the year preceding the allocation of a credit under sub. (9) (bm) and includes improvements that are classified, under ch. 70, as taxable real property or personal property.

(e) “School tax levies" means property taxes levied in a municipality for elementary and secondary school districts and for county children with disabilities education board programs under s. 115.817, net of municipal surplus funds applied against those levies.

(g) “School tax rate" means the taxes levied by school districts, as defined in s. 115.01 (3), as reflected on each property tax bill divided by the estimated fair market value of the property as reflected on each tax bill.

(1m) Notice to the department.

(a) Each municipality shall notify the department of revenue of the total amount of credits allocated under sub. (9) (bm).

(b) Counties and municipalities shall submit to the department of revenue all data related to the lottery and gaming credit and the first dollar credit as requested by the department of revenue.

(2) Notice to municipalities.

(a) On or before November 20 of the year preceding the distribution under sub. (7m) (a) or (cm), the department of revenue shall notify the clerk of each town, village and city of the estimated fair market value, as determined under sub. (11) (c), to be used to calculate the lottery and gaming credit under sub. (5) and of the amount to be distributed to it under sub. (7m) (a) or (cm). The anticipated receipt of such distribution shall not be taken into consideration in determining the tax rate of the municipality but shall be applied as tax credits.

(b) On or before November 20 of the year preceding the distribution under sub. (7m) (c) or (cm), the department of revenue shall notify the clerk of each town, village, and city of the estimated fair market value, as determined under sub. (11) (d), used to calculate the first dollar credit under sub. (5m) and of the amount to be distributed to it under sub. (7m) (c) or (cm). The anticipated receipt of such distribution shall not be taken into consideration in determining the tax rate of the municipality but shall be applied as tax credits.

(4) School levy tax credit. Except as provided in sub. (5m), the amount appropriated under s. 20.835 (3) (b) shall be distributed to municipalities in proportion to their share of the sum of average school tax levies for all municipalities.

(5) Lottery and gaming credit. Each municipality shall receive, from the appropriation under s. 20.835 (3) (q), an amount determined by multiplying the school tax rate by the estimated fair market value, not exceeding the value determined under sub. (11) (c), of every principal dwelling that is located in the municipality and for which a claim for the credit under sub. (9) (bm) is made by the owner of the principal dwelling.

(5m) First dollar credit. Each municipality shall receive, from the appropriation under s. 20.835 (3) (b), an amount determined by multiplying the school tax rate by the estimated fair market value, not exceeding the value determined under sub. (11) (d), of every parcel of real property with improvements that is located in the municipality.

(6m) Corrections of state property tax credit payments.

(a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), if the department of administration or the department of revenue determines by October 1 of the year of any distribution under subs. (4), (5), and (5m) that there was an overpayment or underpayment made in that year's distribution by the department of administration to municipalities, as determined under subs. (4), (5), and (5m), because of an error by the department of administration, the department of revenue or any municipality, the overpayment or underpayment shall be corrected as provided in this paragraph. Any overpayment shall be corrected by reducing the subsequent year's distribution, as determined under subs. (4), (5), and (5m), by an amount equal to the amount of the overpayment. Any underpayment shall be corrected by increasing the subsequent year's distribution, as determined under subs. (4), (5), and (5m), by an amount equal to the amount of the underpayment. Corrections shall be made in the distributions to all municipalities affected by the error. Corrections shall be without interest.

(b) If, after March 1 of the year of any distribution under sub. (5), a municipality discovers an error in the notice that the municipality furnished under sub. (1m) that resulted in an overpayment of that year's distribution to the municipality, as determined under sub. (5), the municipality shall correct the error and notify the department of revenue of the correction on a form that the department prescribes. If, after March 1 of the year of any distribution under sub. (5), the department of administration or the department of revenue discovers an error in the notice that the municipality furnished under sub. (1m) that resulted in an overpayment of that year's distribution to the municipality, as determined under sub. (5), the department of administration or the department of revenue shall notify the municipality and the municipality shall correct the error. The municipality may pay the amount of the overpayment to the department of revenue and, if the municipality chooses to make such a payment, shall submit the payment with the form prescribed under this paragraph. If the municipality does not pay the amount of the overpayment, the department of administration may collect the amount of the overpayment as a special charge to the municipality or may correct the overpayment as provided under par. (a). Payments under this paragraph shall be without interest and shall be deposited in the lottery fund.

(c) If, after March 1 of the year of any distribution under sub. (5), a municipality discovers an error in the notice that the municipality furnished under sub. (1m) that resulted in an underpayment of that year's distribution to the municipality, as determined under sub. (5), the municipality shall correct the error and notify the department of revenue on a form that the department prescribes. If, after March 1 of the year of any distribution under sub. (5), the department of administration or the department of revenue discovers an error in the notice that the municipality furnished under sub. (1m) that resulted in an underpayment of that year's distribution to the municipality, as determined under sub. (5), the department of administration or the department of revenue shall notify the municipality and the municipality shall correct the error. The department of revenue may either pay the amount of the underpayment to the municipality, from the appropriation under s. 20.835 (3) (q), or correct the underpayment as provided under par. (a). Payments under this paragraph shall be without interest.

(7m) Distribution.

(a) School tax credit.

1. Except as provided in par. (cm), the amount determined under sub. (4) shall be distributed by the department of administration to the counties on the 4th Monday in July.

2. Except as provided in par. (cm), the county treasurer shall settle for the amounts distributed under this paragraph on the 4th Monday in July with each municipality and taxing jurisdiction in the county not later than August 20. Failure to settle timely under this subdivision subjects the county treasurer to the penalties under s. 74.31.

(b) Lottery and gaming credit.

1. Except as provided in par. (cm), the amount determined under sub. (5) with respect to claims filed for which the municipality has furnished notice under sub. (1m) by March 1 shall be distributed from the appropriation under s. 20.835 (3) (q) by the department of administration to the county in which the municipality is located on the 4th Monday in March.

2. Except as provided in par. (cm), the county treasurer shall settle for the amounts distributed on the 4th Monday in March under this paragraph with each taxation district and each taxing jurisdiction within the taxation district not later than April 15. Failure to settle timely under this subdivision subjects the county treasurer to the penalties under s. 74.31.

(c) First dollar credit.

1. Except as provided in par. (cm), the amount determined under sub. (5m) shall be distributed from the appropriation under s. 20.835 (3) (b) by the department of administration to the counties on the 4th Monday in July.

2. Except as provided in par. (cm), the county treasurer shall settle for the amounts distributed on the 4th Monday in July under this paragraph with each municipality and taxing jurisdiction in the county not later than August 20. Failure to settle timely under this subdivision subjects the county treasurer to the penalties under s. 74.31.

(cm) Distribution to certain municipalities.

1.

a. If, in any year, the total of the amounts determined under subs. (4), (5), and (5m) for any municipality is $3,000,000 or more, the municipality, with the approval of the majority of the members of the municipality's governing body, may notify the department of administration to distribute the amounts directly to the municipality and the department of administration shall distribute the amounts at the time and in the manner provided under pars. (a) 1., (b) 1., and (c) 1. Beginning in 2018, if the municipality approves the distribution under this subd. 1. a. by enacting an ordinance and provides a copy of the ordinance to the department of administration and the department of revenue, the department of administration shall distribute the amounts determined under subs. (4), (5), and (5m) to the municipality as provided under this subd. 1. a. for the year in which the municipality enacts the ordinance and in all subsequent years until the municipality notifies the department of administration and the department of revenue that the municipality has repealed the ordinance or until the total amounts under subs. (4), (5), and (5m) to be distributed to the municipality in a year is less than $3,000,000.

b. The treasurer of the municipality shall settle for the amounts distributed under pars. (a) 1. and (c) 1. on the 4th Monday in July with the appropriate county treasurer not later than August 15. Failure to settle timely under this subdivision subjects the treasurer of the municipality to the penalties under s. 74.31. On or before August 20, the county treasurer shall settle with each taxing jurisdiction, including towns, villages, and cities, except 1st class cities, in the county.

c. The treasurer of the municipality shall settle for the amounts distributed under par. (b) 1. on the 4th Monday in March with each taxing jurisdiction within the taxation district not later than April 15. Failure to settle timely under this subdivision subjects the treasurer of the municipality to the penalties under s. 74.31. On or before August 20, the county treasurer shall settle with each taxing jurisdiction, including towns, villages, and cities, except 1st class cities, in the county.

2.

a. The department of administration shall distribute the amounts determined under subs. (4), (5), and (5m) directly to any municipality that enacts an ordinance under s. 74.12 at the time and in the manner provided under pars. (a) 1., (b) 1., and (c) 1.

b. The treasurer of the municipality shall settle for the amounts distributed under pars. (a) 1. and (c) 1. on the 4th Monday in July with the appropriate county treasurer not later than August 15. Failure to settle timely under this subdivision subjects the treasurer of the municipality to the penalties under s. 74.31. On or before August 20, the county treasurer shall settle with each taxing jurisdiction, including towns, villages, and cities, except 1st class cities, in the county.

c. The treasurer of the municipality shall settle for the amounts distributed under par. (b) 1. on the 4th Monday in March with each taxing jurisdiction within the taxation district not later than April 15. Failure to settle timely under this subdivision subjects the treasurer of the municipality to the penalties under s. 74.31. On or before August 20, the county treasurer shall settle with each taxing jurisdiction, including towns, villages, and cities, except 1st class cities, in the county.

(8) Delayed payments.

(a) If a county receives a payment under this section that, under s. 16.53, is made after the date specified in this section, that county shall as soon as possible distribute to each municipality and taxing jurisdiction in the county, the municipality's and taxing jurisdiction's share of the payment and of the interest in respect to that payment.

(b) If a municipality receives a payment under this section that, under s. 16.53, is made after the date specified in this section, that municipality shall as soon as possible distribute to each taxing district for which the municipality collects taxes that district's share of the payment and of the interest in respect to that payment.

(9) Credit against tax liability.

(b) Property tax relief credit. Except as provided in ss. 79.175 and 79.18, every property taxpayer of the municipality having assessed property shall receive a tax credit in an amount determined by applying the percentage of the amount of the value of property assessed to the taxpayer to the amount of the distribution to be made to the municipality under sub. (7m) (a), as stated in the November 20 notification from the department of revenue, except that no taxpayer may receive a credit larger than the total amount of property taxes to be paid on each parcel for which tax is levied for that year by that taxpayer.

(bm) Lottery and gaming credit. Except as provided in ss. 79.175 and 79.18, a lottery and gaming credit shall be allocated to every principal dwelling for which a credit is claimed under sub. (10) in an amount determined by multiplying the estimated fair market value of the principal dwelling, not exceeding the value determined under sub. (11), by the school tax rate.

(bn) First dollar credit. Except as provided in ss. 79.175 and 79.18, and subject to s. 79.15, the first dollar credit shall be allocated to every parcel of real estate on which improvements are located in an amount determined by multiplying the estimated fair market value of the property, not exceeding the value determined under sub. (11) (d), by the school tax rate.

(c) Credits shown on tax bill.

1. The lottery and gaming credit under par. (bm) shall reduce the property taxes otherwise payable on property that is eligible for that credit and if the property owner completes the information required under sub. (10) (a) or (b).

2. The credit under par. (b) shall reduce the property taxes otherwise payable.

3. The credit under par. (bn) shall reduce the property taxes otherwise payable.

(d) Credit limit. No taxpayer may receive in respect to any parcel credits under this subchapter that exceed the total amount of property taxes due on that parcel.

(10) Claiming the lottery and gaming credit.

(a) Beginning with property taxes levied in 1999, the owner of a principal dwelling may claim the credit under sub. (9) (bm) by applying for the credit on a form prescribed by the department of revenue. A claimant shall attest that, as of the certification date, the claimant is an owner of property and that such property is used by the owner in the manner specified under sub. (1) (dm). The certification date is January 1 of the year in which the property taxes are levied. The claimant shall file the application for the lottery and gaming credit with the treasurer of the county in which the property is located or, if the property is located in a city that collects taxes under s. 74.87, with the treasurer of the city in which the property is located. Subject to review by the department of revenue, a treasurer who receives a completed application shall direct that the property described in the application be identified on the next tax roll as property for which the owner is entitled to receive a lottery and gaming credit. A claim that is made under this paragraph is valid for as long as the property is eligible for the credit under sub. (9) (bm).

(b) A person who becomes eligible for a credit under sub. (9) (bm) may claim the credit by filing an application, on a form prescribed by the department of revenue, with the treasurer of the county in which the property is located or, if the property is located in a city that collects taxes under s. 74.87, with the treasurer of the city in which the property is located. Claims made under this paragraph are valid for as long as the property is eligible for the credit under sub. (9) (bm).

(bm)

1. A person who is eligible for a credit under sub. (9) (bm) but whose property tax bill does not reflect the credit may claim the credit by applying to the treasurer of the taxation district in which the property is located for the credit under par. (a) by January 31 following the issuance of the person's property tax bill. The treasurer shall compute the amount of the credit; subtract the amount of the credit from the person's property tax bill; notify the person of the reduced amount of the property taxes due; issue a refund to the person if the person has paid the property taxes in full; and enter the person's property on the next tax roll as property that qualifies for a lottery and gaming credit. Claims made under this subdivision are valid for as long as the property is eligible for the credit under sub. (9) (bm).

2. A person who may apply for a credit under subd. 1. but who does not timely apply for the credit under subd. 1. may apply to the department of revenue no later than October 1 following the issuance of the person's property tax bill. Subject to review by the department, the department shall compute the amount of the credit; issue a check to the person in the amount of the credit; and notify the treasurer of the county in which the person's property is located or the treasurer of the taxation district in which the person's property is located, if the taxation district collects taxes under s. 74.87. The treasurer shall enter the person's property on the next tax roll as property that qualifies for a lottery and gaming credit. Claims made under this subdivision are valid for as long as the property is eligible for the credit under sub. (9) (bm).

(bn)

1. If a person who owns and uses property as specified under sub. (1) (dm), as of the certification date under par. (a), transfers the property after the certification date, the transferee may apply to the treasurer of the county in which the property is located or, if the property is located in a city that collects taxes under s. 74.87, to the treasurer of the city in which the property is located for the credit under sub. (9) (bm) on a form prescribed by the department of revenue. The transferee shall attest that, to the transferee's knowledge, the transferor used the property in the manner specified under sub. (1) (dm) as of the certification date under par. (a). A claim that is made under this subdivision is valid for as long as the property is eligible for the credit under sub. (9) (bm).

2. A person who is eligible for a credit under subd. 1. but whose property tax bill does not reflect the credit may claim the credit by applying to the treasurer of the taxation district in which the property is located for the credit by January 31 following the issuance of the person's property tax bill. Claims made after January 31, but no later than October 1 following the issuance of the person's property tax bill, shall be made to the department of revenue. Paragraph (bm), as it applies to processing claims made under that paragraph, applies to processing claims made under this subdivision.

(c) If a person who is certified under par. (a) to claim the credit under sub. (9) (bm) becomes ineligible for the credit under sub. (9) (bm), that person shall, within 30 days of becoming ineligible, notify the treasurer of the county in which the property is located or, if the property is located in a city that collects taxes under s. 74.87, the treasurer of the city in which the property is located.

(d) If the department of revenue determines that a credit was extended to a taxpayer who was not entitled to the credit for reasons other than that the taxpayer failed to complete the information required under par. (a), the department of revenue shall instruct the appropriate taxation district to collect the credit as a special charge on the next property tax bill issued for the property.

(e) A county or a city, if the city collects taxes under s. 74.87, may use a certification procedure other than the certification procedure under par. (a) if all of the following apply:

1. The certification procedure includes a method to identify taxable property that is used as the property owner's principal dwelling.

2. The certification procedure includes a procedure that is similar in effect to the procedure described in par. (bm).

3. The certification procedure is approved by the department of revenue.

(f) Each county and city that administers the credit under sub. (9) (bm) shall implement a procedure to periodically verify the eligibility of properties for which a credit is claimed. In 2004, and every 5th year thereafter, each county and city that administers the credit under sub. (9) (bm) shall file a report with the department of revenue, in the manner and at the time prescribed by the department of revenue, that describes the procedures that the county or city uses to verify the credits claimed under this subsection and evaluates the efficacy of such procedures.

(11) Lottery and gaming credit estimated fair market value.

(a) For property taxes levied in 1997 and thereafter, the estimated fair market value shall be determined under par. (b).

(b) Before October 1, the department of administration shall determine the total funds available for distribution under the lottery and gaming credit in the following year and shall inform the joint committee on finance of that total. Total funds available for distribution shall be all moneys projected to be transferred to the lottery fund under ss. 20.455 (2) (g) and 20.505 (8) (am), (g) and (jm) and all existing and projected lottery proceeds and interest for the fiscal year of the distribution, less the amount estimated to be expended under ss. 20.455 (2) (r), 20.566 (2) (r), and 20.835 (2) (q) and less the required reserve under s. 20.003 (5). The joint committee on finance may revise the total amount to be distributed if it does so at a meeting that takes place before October 16. If the joint committee on finance does not schedule a meeting to take place before October 16, the total determined by the department of administration shall be the total amount estimated to be distributed under the lottery and gaming credit in the following year.

(c) Before October 16, the department of administration shall inform the department of revenue of the total amount available for distribution under the lottery and gaming credit in the following year. Before November 20, the department of revenue shall calculate, to the nearest $100, the estimated fair market value necessary to distribute the total amount available for distribution under the lottery and gaming credit in the following year.

(d) Before November 20, the department of revenue shall calculate, to the nearest $100, the estimated fair market value necessary to distribute the total amount available for distribution under s. 79.15.

History: 1971 c. 125 ss. 412, 521; Stats. 1971 s. 79.10; 1973 c. 90; 1975 c. 39, 199; 1977 c. 29, 418; 1979 c. 110 s. 60 (11); 1981 c. 20 ss. 1174 to 1182n, 2202 (45) (b); 1981 c. 93, 314, 317; 1983 a. 2 ss. 6 to 10, 12; 1983 a. 3, 27; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (17m); 1983 a. 395; 1985 a. 4, 29, 39, 120; 1987 a. 27, 378; 1991 a. 39, 225, 269, 323; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 27, 164; 1999 a. 5, 9, 83, 84, 185; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 399; 2007 a. 20, 190; 2009 a. 28, 180; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 196; 2017 a. 59.